The Pentax Super-A is a 35mm SLR came produced by Pentax Japan in the 1980s.
It is not the same camera as the slightly lower-specified Pentax Program A. The camera offers fully automatic exposure ( program) mode when coupled with an appropriate Pentax-A series lens. With such a lens the camera also offers shutter priority mode, and with any compatible lens ( i.e Pentax M lenses addition to the Pentax-A series) the camera offers aperture-priority and fully manual modes. The shutter speeds , selected by up/down buttons rather than the conventional wheel, run from 1/2000sec to 15 seconds, plus a bulb mode. There is flash synchronization at 1/125sec . Unlike the camera most direct predecessor , the semi-automatic Pentax ME super this model cannot function at 1/125 sec or at all once the batteries have been exhausted. Speed is displayed on a LCD panel on the top of the camera adjacent to the buttons and both speed and aperture are visible on the LCD displays inside the viewfinder. These receive natural light through a translucent plastic window on the Pentaprism housing and can be electrically lit at the press of a button. Also in the viewfinder centered is a split image focus aid surrounded by a microprism ring. A further improvement over the ME super was the inclusion of a depth-of-field preview lever. The camera also features a self-timer which was electronic rather than manual lever of its predecessors. The available ISO film speed choices were extended to, and ran from 6 to 3200 ASA. As with the previous M series cameras , there is a window next to the winder arm which indicated film movement, and assist the user in rewinding film into the cassette without losing the tip of the film. Metering through the lens , camera also features direct TTL flash metering. The super A version was available with a black top plate and matching base. The super program version was available with a chrome colored top plate and matching base. The main body ,grip and lenses were always black.
Specifications.
Type: 35mm SLR camera with multi-mode automatic exposure controls, electronically-controlled focal plane shutter, and open-aperture center-weighted through-the -lens metering.
Exposure control modes : (6) Programmed AE, Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority6 AE. Metered manual , TTL auto flash, and programmed auto flash mode.
Exposure control mode setting: By using combinations of settings on shutter dial and aperture ring of A series lenses.
Film : 35mm
Format : 24x36mm
Lens mount : Pentax K bayonet ( A Pentax K bayonet mount with electrical contacts)
Shutter: Seiko MFC-E3 vertical run metal focal-plane shutter, automatic exposure and manual settings electronically-controlled speeds from 15to 1/2000sec, 1/125 sec and B. Electro-magnetic shutter release with release button lock.
Exposure indication in viewfinder: Liquid crystal display (LCD) Automatic and manual shutter speeds automatically set lens apertures, exposure factor warning, shutter speed setting error warning, battery life warning and programmed AE indication (P) LCD window illumination.
External indication : Automatic and manual shutter speeds, programmed AE indication (P) and shutter cocked indicator.
Flash synchronization: Hot-shoe ( X-synch contact, dedicated flash contacts ) X-synch at 1/125 sec.
Dedicated automatic flash coupling: Automatic setting of 1/125sec synch speed with dedicated automatic flash units. TTL automatic flash control provides film-plane metering. Slower than 1/125sec. Synch flash photography is possible at Manual mode setting.
Self-timer: Electronically controlled delay time indication by flashing lamp and electronic buzzer, approx. 12 sec delay time , possible to cancel at any time : initiate process by pressing shutter release button.
Viewfinder: Silver-coated pentaprism finder with split-image/ microprism focusing screen; shows 92% of the picture area, 0.82X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity;-1.1 diopter eye piece.
Mirror: Back-swing type instant-return mirror.
Film-loading: Magic-needle loading.
Film transport: Single-stroke rapid wind lever with 135° throw and 30° stand-of angle. LCD shutter cocked indicator; film advance and rewind indicator window. Accepts Winder ME II , motor drive A.
Exposure counter: Additive type automatic resetting. Automatically sets shutter speed at 1/100o sec up to ) frame on the counter when shutter dial is set at Auto or M.
Film rewind: type.
Exposure Metering : Open-aperture , through-the-lens , center weighted ,average area metering system with GPD cell. Film-plane metering for dedicated automatic electronic flashes.
Metering range : EV1 (f/1.4 1 sec) -EV19(f.16, 1/2000sec or f/22, 1/1000sec. ) with 50mm F1.5 lens at ASA 100 film.
ASA/ISO range: 6-3200.
Exposure compensation exposure: Compensation dial indexed at 4X, 2X,1X, 1/2X and 1/4X.
Depth-of-field preview: Via depth-of-field preview lever when aperture set manually.
Power source: Two 1.5 volt alkaline or silver-oxide batteries or one 3v lithium batterie.
Metering main circuit main switch: Switched on by shutter release button and remains on for about 30 seconds, shut-of by built-in self-timer.
Battery warning: When batteries grow week, LCD alternately flashes exposure designations and ‘000’sign. When batteries exhausted, LCDs go blank and shutter locks.
Back & cover : Standard camera back with spring catch , built-in memo holder/grip, fully interchangeable with Dial data ME and Digital Data M.
Size and weight: 131x87x85mm 725 gram.
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