Need help on Pentax ME Super?

Question

I started trying to reset the shutter, but I didn't know what the contacts were when I took out the old batteries. Could you tell me how to do it manually as well? Also, what kind of film should I get for this camera? Beside film, what else do I need to start shooting?

It's the mirror that's actually not down. It's not stuck, it's just that it's not in front of the shutter.

Answer 1

If you're talking about a stuck open shutter, stuck is stuck, and you really need to get that camera to a repair shop. If you're talking about setting the shutter speed, the ME Super has those two black buttons on the right side of the prism next to the mode dial to set the shutter speed. Batteries in that camera go in plus side first next to the internal contact. With a little hunting and searching around their website, Pentax used to have the manual for the ME Super down-loadable in PDF format. That might help you too.
I've had 2 ME Super's and they were great cameras. Film depends on what you're shooting. Basically, the lower the number, the more light you need. 100 for bright lite/outdoors daytime. 400 or greater for indoors/ evening shooting. Pretty much if you get that shutter working, get some fresh batteries, load that camera up with film and enjoy. Somewhere down the line, you might invest in a flash for night time shots. Pentax k mount lenses for that camera are common everywhere.
I once found a perfectly good working lens for a ME Super at a goodwill store.
Good Luck

Answer 2

not clear what u mean by "reset shutter".

battery compartment always have + - indicators unless it is a proprietary keyed battery that can only go in one way.

If the shutter is stuck open then somehow u need to figure out how to unstick it. My Minolta did that and I accidentally touched it in the right place and it snapped shut.

I assume it is 35mm and u are asking mfg and type.
They are all different, producing subtly different colors and have varying speeds. A matter of preference and what u are shooting (light conditions, speed of object, etc.)

start with 100, 200, or 400 speed. the faster the speed the
lower light necessary or the higher speed u can stop.

Basic understanding of camera operation, F stop, shutter speed, lighting, motion, etc.

Answer 3

New batteries should cure the problem. Usually the battery compartment will show the correct orientation for the batteries.

Now as to film. My personal preferences are:

Kodak Portra ISO 160 and ISO 400. Use the NC (Natural Color) for people photos. It gives excellent skin tones. Use the VC (Vivid Color) for scenics and flowers, etc.

Ilford XP2 Super ISO 400 for black & white. This is a C-41 compatible B&W that your local one hour lab can process right alongside your Portra. Just be sure to tell them its SUPPOSED to be black & white.

Fujicolor Pro 400H. Another excellent color print film, C-41 compatible.

Fujicolor 800 Press. Great film for low light photography. Better grain than you'd expect for such a fast film.