Mint Pentax ME !!

I was browsing my local classified adds, and came across this little gem.
Decided to go around and check it out first hand. Wow what a find !!

This camera is absolutly MINT, you would be hard pressed to find a blemish anywhere on the body or lens. It looks like it just came out of the factory Even the manuals look like they are just off the press.

The SMC M 40mm 2.8 lens also looks like new.

I also got a mint boxed Pentax auto bellows K and slide copier attachment. They are still in thier original plastic bags and don't look like they have ever been used. It came with an SMC M 50mm f4 macro.

The whole lot for AU$150, Bargain

[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x261/ClarkyinAus/8609adf0.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x261/ClarkyinAus/a15267d4.jpg[/IMG]

Happy Days then.

You lucky so and so!

Check the light seals! they may need replacing. The light trap around the rear goes sticky and stops working.

The ME Super is a favourite of a lot of film users on here, run a film through it and enjoy.

The seller gave me the reciept for its last service 3 years ago, and the light seals were replaced. It also has the original sales reciept and warranty card from 1977

The camera belonged to his father who passed away and he had no interest in it.

Excellent!!

Load and shoot.

Enjoy

You do pick up some cracking bargains Clarky!

The ME with the 40mm pancake must be as close as anyone's ever made to a "pocketable" 35mm SLR - nice combination.

And it'll be interesting to see what shots you come up with using the bellows; stick your D-FA100 on the end and reverse the M50 onto that and we must be talking massive reproduction ratios - happy days!!

It felt so tiny in my hands I had to put the winder on in case I droped it

The bellows is a beast compared to my tiny set of pentax M42 bellows.
They sure are a wonderful piece of engineering.
I showed them to my wife and she said "is that a telescope"
I will give your recommendation of the D FA100 and M50 a shot, it should be interesting

Just try the combo on a digital body first, then when, or if, your happy try the MES.

I look forward to some more excellent macro shots from Oz.

Excellent bargain there! The 40mm lens often goes for that price alone.

Cheers, Kris.

I don't disagree with you, however, is it actually worth that price?

I was keen to get one for my MX but after reading many opinions on the 'net (I know, a dangerous thing to do!) I got the impression it was a case of style over substance (with unfavourable comparisons being made to the far more humble M50/2).

I still think Clarky got a fantastic bargain (and there's no doubt the pancake looks the business) but I'd be interested in hearing any opinions on how well (or badly) the lens does actually perform in real life.

I agree with you Hefty, I am pretty sure it is a case of style over quality, but that doesn't change the price it often sells for. Currently averaging £60 on ebay, the cheapest went for £36. The 50mm macro averages £50 but is surely a more useful lens and almost certainly better quality than the 40mm. If I came across a bargain example as Clarky did, I would buy it (I am a sucker for Pentax primes) but it isn't high on my "want list".

Best wishes, Kris.

I used the 40mm on my MX as my main travel combo for years and I've never really understood the somewhat negative reputation that it has

Ok, it doesn't have the subtle rendering of the Pentax 50/1.4 or the high contrast of modern lenses, but it's still a pretty good lens and plenty sharp enough for big prints (see eg Yoshihiko's resolution tests).

The only thing that tempted me to replace it was the 43ltd, which of course has a touch of magic

R

Reviews from the time of its release were actually very positive, some samples being better than the 50mm f1.7. The review in Photo Technique (the original version of the magazine) was especially complimentary. There is nothing inferior about the 40mm, I've had several and they were all excellent.

Well I've got the 43 Ltd so I really don't need the M40 as well, but if I see one going cheap the next time the camera fair rolls into town I might be tempted. I passed on one at 30 quid the last time I went to the Beaconsfield fair and regretted it afterwards as I could have made a profit on eBay if I hadn't liked it. Oh well, live and learn...

PS. I'd have probably paid what Clarky did for the bellows and slide copier alone!