Pentax ME | Vintage 35mm Film Camera

Shot on film

Sample 35mm film photos

Real film-style examples to show the look, colour and feeling this kind of camera can create.

Sample 35mm film photo – portrait in a red phone booth

Sample 35mm film photo – boats on a canal in Venice

Sample 35mm film photo – friends at night with on-camera flash

Sample 35mm film photo – sunset through trees by the water

Sample 35mm film photo – friends outdoors at night with flash

Sample 35mm film photo – golden sunset over hills and a lake

About this camera

About the Pentax ME 35mm SLR Film Camera with SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens

The Pentax ME is a compact 35mm SLR film camera with easy aperture-priority exposure, paired with a fast SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 lens. Released in 1977, it's one of the smallest and lightest SLRs of its era, which makes it a lovely step up from a point-and-shoot into the world of SLR film cameras. Load a roll of 35mm film, choose your aperture, and let the ME handle the shutter speed while you focus on the shot.

Read the full description →

Why you’ll love it

Effortless shootingSimple point-and-shoot operation.
Everyday readyCompact enough for travel and daily carry.
Classic resultsNatural 35mm colour, grain and character.

At a glance

Brand	Pentax
Film format	35mm film
Grades in stock	Grade 9

Bundle offer

Make it ready to shoot

Add film or accessories in one step so your camera arrives ready for your first roll.

Condition & testing

Every vintage camera tested before it ships

We inspect every camera before it leaves us, checking lens clarity, flash, shutter response, film advance and the battery compartment.

Shutter & film advance tested
Lens checked
Flash tested where applicable
Securely packed

Tutorials & guides

New to 35mm film? Start here

Overview

A Closer Look

See the Results

Condition grades

Which condition grade should I buy?

Every grade is tested and working. Grades mostly differ in cosmetic wear: choose a higher grade if looks matter, or a lower grade to save.

10: Near Perfect
9: Excellent
8: Great
7: Good
6: Fair

See the full grading scale →

More information

Full details, grading and specifications

Description

Perfect for:

Curious film shooters stepping up from point-and-shoots to their first SLR
Portraits, street photography & low-light scenes with a fast f/1.4 lens
Travellers who want a compact, lightweight vintage camera with real creative control

*JUST SERVICED & FILM TESTED*

The Pentax ME is a compact 35mm SLR film camera with easy aperture-priority exposure, paired with a fast SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 lens. Released in 1977, it's one of the smallest and lightest SLRs of its era, which makes it a lovely step up from a point-and-shoot into the world of SLR film cameras. Load a roll of 35mm film, choose your aperture, and let the ME handle the shutter speed while you focus on the shot.

✔ Compact & lightweight – At just 460g (body only) and roughly 131 x 82 x 49mm, the Pentax ME is easy to carry all day. It's a proper 35mm SLR camera that won't weigh down your bag.

✔ Aperture-priority auto exposure – Set your aperture and the camera chooses the shutter speed for you, anywhere from 1 second to 1/1000s. The shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder, so you always know what's happening.

✔ Fast SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 lens – A classic 7-element, 6-group standard lens with Super-Multi-Coating and 8 aperture blades. It's great for low light, portraits with soft, blurred backgrounds, and everyday walk-around shooting.

✔ Big, bright viewfinder – A 0.97x magnification viewfinder with 92% coverage makes composing a pleasure, with split-image and microprism focusing aids to help you focus.

✔ Pentax K-mount versatility – The ME takes the huge range of Pentax K-mount lenses, so you can grow your kit over time with wide-angles, zooms and telephotos.

✔ Simple, tactile controls – A straightforward four-position mode switch (off, auto, flash and bulb), a hot shoe for flash, and an easy-to-read ISO dial keep things refreshingly uncomplicated.

The Pentax ME with the SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 is a friendly, capable way to get into 35mm SLR photography. It's compact, reliable and full of vintage character, and ready for your next roll of 35mm film.

Battery Requirement – This reusable film camera operates with 2x LR44 1.5V button cell batteries (sold separately).

For 'Grade 6 - Fair' Cameras: Minor quirks or functional notes may apply. Please check the ‘Condition & Notes’ section below for full details.

To learn more about our camera grades, please view our Grading Scale.

Grade

Grade: We grade every camera carefully so you can shop with confidence, knowing exactly what you’ll receive. Each one is thoroughly tested to ensure it works as intended, and our grading scale helps you understand the overall condition and any minor imperfections that distinguish it from a like-new example.

Grade 10 – Near Perfect: Near-perfect, minimal to no wear, flawless functions, crystal-clear lens.
Grade 9 – Excellent: Lightly used, faint scuffs, fully functional, clean lens.
Grade 8 – Great: Normal signs of use, minor surface marks, fully functional.
Grade 7 – Good: Well-loved with visible wear or small quirks, but everything works as it should.
Grade 6 – Fair: Heavier wear and noticeable imperfections. It may also have minor functional quirks or imperfections, but it is fully functional and full of character.

If you’d like more clarity regarding our classifications, please view our grading scale here, or please don't hesitate to reach out to our team — we’re always happy to help!

Usability

Usability: Versatile and hands-on! Aperture-priority auto exposure takes care of shutter speed, while the fast 50mm f/1.4 lens suits portraits, street photography, travel and low-light scenes.

Beginner Friendly?: Yes! It's a great first SLR. Just set your aperture, focus manually, and the ME does the rest.

Sample Photos

Sample Photo: Click here to see example photos by talented photographers using this exact camera model!

Shipping & Returns

Free Shipping: Free express shipping Australia-wide on camera orders. Standard shipping is $13 on other items, and free on orders over $100. Please select ‘Free Shipping’ at checkout.

Easy Returns: Faulty camera? Every camera is backed by our 30-day warranty. As these are vintage film cameras, we encourage you to test yours early.

Change of Mind: You can apply within 7 days of the camera arriving. You pay return shipping, and payment processing fees are deducted from your refund (or you can exchange for another camera).

Please note: International customers are responsible for the cost of return shipping and for ensuring the parcel reaches us safely, so please consider a registered/insured service. Visit our Return Policy for full details.

Customer Support

Customer Support: Free express shipping Australia-wide is available on eligible orders.

Every camera is checked, cleaned and securely packed before it leaves us, so it arrives safely and ready for your next roll.

Need help after your camera arrives? We can assist with choosing film, loading your camera, understanding condition grades and basic camera use.

7-day change-of-mind returns and a 30-day warranty on faulty cameras, in line with our Return Policy.

Product Specifications

Dimensions (body): 131mm x 82mm x 49mm
Weight: 700g combined without the battery (body 460g + lens 240g)
Lens: SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 (7 elements in 6 groups, 8 aperture blades, 49mm filter, K-mount, minimum focus 0.45m)
Autofocus: No, manual focus with split-image and microprism focusing aids.
Auto-exposure: Yes, aperture-priority (1 - 1/1000s, plus B and 1/100s manual).
Auto-flash: No, hot shoe with 1/100s flash sync.
Power: 1.5v SR44 or LR44 (2x)

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The photos shown in this listing are of the exact camera you will receive. Colours may vary slightly due to lighting conditions. Please refer to our 'Condition' dropdown box or our 'Grading Scale' page for more clarity on the overall condition of each film camera. An example sample photo is used to highlight the type of photography this camera can produce. PHOTOGRAPHER: joshsjackson

In stock