Pentax ME
35 mm manual single-lens reflex film camera
title: "Pentax ME" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pentax-slr-cameras", "135-film-cameras", "products-introduced-in-1976", "pentax-k-mount-cameras"] description: "35 mm manual single-lens reflex film camera" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_ME" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 35 mm manual single-lens reflex film camera ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox camera"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| camera_name | Asahi Pentax ME |
| image | Pentax ME M50mm.jpg |
| caption | Pentax ME w/50mm f/1.7 |
| maker | Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. |
| type | SLR |
| date | 1977 |
| production | 1977–1979 |
| recording_medium | 135 film |
| lens_mount | K mount |
| focus | Manual |
| exposure | Aperture priority |
| flash | Hot shoe |
| shutter_speeds | 1 – 1/1000 s, Bulb |
| dimensions | 135.8 × 82.5 × 49.3 mm |
| weight | 495 g |
| made_in | Japan |
| successor | Pentax ME Super |
| :: |
| camera_name = Asahi Pentax ME | image = Pentax ME M50mm.jpg | alt = | caption = Pentax ME w/50mm f/1.7 | maker = Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. | type = SLR | date = 1977 | production = 1977–1979 | sensor_type = | sensor_size = | picture_format = | recording_medium = 135 film | res = | lens_mount = K mount | vidrecord = | lens = | focus = Manual | exposure = Aperture priority | flash = Hot shoe | frame_rate = | shutter = | shutter_speeds = 1 – 1/1000 s, Bulb | f-numbers = | shutterRange = | metering = | emode = | mmode = | farea = | fmode = | cont = | viewfinder = | speedRange = | flbkt = | fcbkt = | WB = | wbbkt = | brightness = | imsize = | throwdis = | prores = | rearLCD = | storage = | battery = | dimensions = 135.8 × 82.5 × 49.3 mm | weight = 495 g | interface_AVout = | interface_Data = | body_comp-feats = | made_in = Japan | footnotes = |successor = Pentax ME Super The Pentax ME, originally marked the Asahi Pentax ME, was a 1977-introduced, aperture priority automatic camera with an electronic focal plane shutter from 8 s to 1/1000 s, synchronized at 1/100 s produced by Pentax of Japan between 1977 and 1979.
The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. There was no shutter dial, and the camera could not be used in manual mode, except for B and 1/100 exposures. The Pentax-invented digital light meter was of the standard TTL open aperture center weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.
ME and MX models were Pentax's response to a new trend towards compactness in SLR cameras, which began with the launch of the Olympus OM-1 in 1972. In fact, an ME is even smaller than an OM-1.
Overview
The Pentax ME had a 0.97× viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera was displayed in the finder, the aperture was not.
There was a hot shoe on the top of the prism and a self-timer. The selector around the release button had four positions: L (lock), Auto, 100X (1/100, X sync) and B. The Pentax ME could attach an external winder ME I (1.5 i/s) or the later ME II (2i/s). The Pentax ME could also mount a Dial Data ME databack, or the later Digital Data M databack via a cord adapter.
The lenses were interchangeable with the K bayonet mount. Together with the ME and MX was introduced the SMC Pentax-M series of compact lenses.
The Pentax ME existed in chrome or black finish, and a limited edition called ME SE had a brown leather covering with the chrome finish.
It was followed in 1979 by the more advanced Pentax ME Super and the cheaper Pentax MV.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::