anyone shooting with a Program A
Posted 27/03/2014 - 00:00
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I have the very similar Super-A. My biggest problem with using it is that I wear glasses and the Super-A has no diopter adjustment. I imagine the Program-A is the same. Diopter adjusting accessories are available though.
I found a Program-A + SMCP-A 50mm 1.7 lens at a boot fair a couple of weeks back. The guy wanted €20 for the two. I passed, and regretted it very soon after.
I found a Program-A + SMCP-A 50mm 1.7 lens at a boot fair a couple of weeks back. The guy wanted €20 for the two. I passed, and regretted it very soon after.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 27/03/2014 - 00:14
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My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do have the small grip attachment that makes handling better.
I never missed a shot through the often mentioned need for batteries and I have taken it into some cold places. Silver batteries lasted a year or more and I have mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do have the small grip attachment that makes handling better.
I never missed a shot through the often mentioned need for batteries and I have taken it into some cold places. Silver batteries lasted a year or more and I have mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
Bob
Posted 27/03/2014 - 06:42
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johnha wrote:
I've got a non-working one but the Super-A is similar but better having shutter priority as well as M, Av & P and is more of a classic (European Camera of the year 1983).
very helpfull many thanks
I've got a non-working one but the Super-A is similar but better having shutter priority as well as M, Av & P and is more of a classic (European Camera of the year 1983).
Posted 27/03/2014 - 06:45
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Mannesty wrote:
I have the very similar Super-A. My biggest problem with using it is that I wear glasses and the Super-A has no diopter adjustment. I imagine the Program-A is the same. Diopter adjusting accessories are available though.
I found a Program-A + SMCP-A 50mm 1.7 lens at a boot fair a couple of weeks back. The guy wanted €20 for the two. I passed, and regretted it very soon after.
we have all done that at one time or another, lve hesitated on ebay before and then regretted it as soon as the item was gone
I have the very similar Super-A. My biggest problem with using it is that I wear glasses and the Super-A has no diopter adjustment. I imagine the Program-A is the same. Diopter adjusting accessories are available though.
I found a Program-A + SMCP-A 50mm 1.7 lens at a boot fair a couple of weeks back. The guy wanted €20 for the two. I passed, and regretted it very soon after.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 06:47
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doingthebobs wrote:
My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
janybthanks l have spotted one for £18 and was pondering whether to buy it or not
My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 07:06
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lxmike wrote:
Just be aware that the seals will likely need replacing. Not too difficult, but you would need to factor in the cost of a seal kit.doingthebobs wrote:
My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
janybthanks l have spotted one for £18 and was pondering whether to buy it or notMy Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
Regards Steve
Posted 27/03/2014 - 09:47
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stevejcoe wrote:
Regards Steve
That's the main reason I passed on it Steve. The seller looked a bit astounded when I took the lens off to have a look inside the mirror box. I should have bought it anyway, the lens was worth more than he was asking for camera and lens together.
lxmike wrote:
Just be aware that the seals will likely need replacing. Not too difficult, but you would need to factor in the cost of a seal kit.doingthebobs wrote:
My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
janybthanks l have spotted one for £18 and was pondering whether to buy it or notMy Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
Regards Steve
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 27/03/2014 - 11:15
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Mannesty wrote:
Regards Steve
That's the main reason I passed on it Steve. The seller looked a bit astounded when I took the lens off to have a look inside the mirror box. I should have bought it anyway, the lens was worth more than he was asking for camera and lens together.[/quote]Hi Peter, I know what you mean, cheap as chips at car boot sales. I purchased a bulk lot of kits several years ago from an eBay trader (no longer trading) worked out at about £3 a kit, unfortunately they are now all gone.stevejcoe wrote:
Just be aware that the seals will likely need replacing. Not too difficult, but you would need to factor in the cost of a seal kit.lxmike wrote:
[quote:3496ace15f="doingthebobs"]My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
janybthanks l have spotted one for £18 and was pondering whether to buy it or not[quote:3496ace15f="doingthebobs"]My Super-A is still running, bruised and battered from many mountain days.
I had it from new (1986) and the Program-A is very similar apart from the lack of shutter priority, no TTL flash and a top shutter speed of only 1/1000s.
Both are similar in size to the ME,MX etc but they do mostly used lithium versions that would last until I remembered to change them - two years or more.
If you can get a good super or program A I'm sure you will like it.
Regards Steve
Replacing seals is certainly not difficult, but care needs to be taken to avoid degraded rubber getting onto the focusing screen.
Not a problem with the 'Super/Program A' cameras as the focusing screen
can be removed.
Regards - Steve
Posted 28/03/2014 - 23:59
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stevejcoe wrote:
Replacing seals is certainly not difficult, but care needs to be taken to avoid degraded rubber getting onto the focusing screen.
Not a problem with the 'Super/Program A' cameras as the focusing screen
can be removed.
Hi Steve, I'm pretty certain the Super-A screen is not user replaceable - I have a memory that it might have been replaceable by Pentax - although I don't know if there were other types of screen as options.Replacing seals is certainly not difficult, but care needs to be taken to avoid degraded rubber getting onto the focusing screen.
Not a problem with the 'Super/Program A' cameras as the focusing screen
can be removed.
John.
Posted 29/03/2014 - 11:39
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johnha wrote:
John.
John, the screen on the Super A, Program A and I believe also the MEF and MG is fixed by adhesive to a metal frame. The screen/frame is held in place by a two small screws to be found above the mirror damper. Once removed the retaining frame drops, much like a modern Pentax DSLR and the screen and its frame can be carefully removed. There are two further adjustment screws on the screen/frame assembly, which I believe are set during manufacture. stevejcoe wrote:
Replacing seals is certainly not difficult, but care needs to be taken to avoid degraded rubber getting onto the focusing screen.
Not a problem with the 'Super/Program A' cameras as the focusing screen
can be removed.
Hi Steve, I'm pretty certain the Super-A screen is not user replaceable - I have a memory that it might have been replaceable by Pentax - although I don't know if there were other types of screen as options.Replacing seals is certainly not difficult, but care needs to be taken to avoid degraded rubber getting onto the focusing screen.
Not a problem with the 'Super/Program A' cameras as the focusing screen
can be removed.
John.
As far as I know Pentax never specifically mentioned this feature and never marketed alternative screens.
Regards - Steve
Posted 29/03/2014 - 19:42
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This is one Pentax I have never been interested in owning.
Aperture and shutter speed readout without a scale leaves me cold.
That's why I sold my Canon A-1, and rejected the Nikon F3.
Chris
Aperture and shutter speed readout without a scale leaves me cold.
That's why I sold my Canon A-1, and rejected the Nikon F3.
Chris
Bring back the latent image!
Posted 03/04/2014 - 15:41
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I WON Free a Program A years ago in the 'Pentax Magazine' when Peter Cox was running it -- I used it a lot, then after several years trouble -- and the repair bloke said that Pentax have NO SPARES --I sold it as seen to a Club member at our Club annual auction -- I kept the 50mm f1.7 SMC Pentax-A lens and I use that on my K10D.
Been a member of Pentax Club since the Ron Spillman era! Got COMPUTERISED at last - DIGITISED?
Taken the PLUNGE - BUT FILM STILL RULES !!!
Taken the PLUNGE - BUT FILM STILL RULES !!!
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12 years
north east england