Pentax ME exposure problems

[efix]

Hey guys,

my dad's old Pentax ME has been acting up recently (again). Apart from the heavy light leakage (I guess it needs the light seals replaced), all my pictures turn out underexposed by at least 1 to 2 stops (this is especially evident with slides). However, the meter readout is consistent with what I get from my Panasonic G1. Also, the shutter speeds sound accurate, as far as I can judge.

Question: should I have a repairman take a look at it? I'm about to go on two weeks holidays next weekend and wanted to take the ME + 3 lenses + some rolls of Ektar along, but not if I get underexposed and leaky pics. The thing is, I could get a perfectly working, recently CLA'd ME for a measly 60 € incl. shipping, so I wonder if it's worth the trouble of having mine checked at all.

EDIT: It seems the underexposure happens only when there is also light leakage. Maybe it's sufficient then to get the light seals replaced.

 

[efix]

One more edit: I am repeatedly getting scratched negs (or slides) out of my ME. I first thought this was the lab's fault, but I don't see any of that in my films from my Contax T.

So one more problem with the Pentax. I think I just might get a replacement.

 

[sebastel]

hi,

i once had an ME super with a similar behaviour.
it turned out, that the variable resistor that reflects the ISO setting was (mechanically) worn out.

check the exposure at a different ISO - if it's the resistor, uncommon ISO settings may still act correctly.

if you want to be certain, ask a repairman (eric?)

cheers,
sebastian

edit: also a massive accumulation of dirt can have such an effect.

 

[efix]

hi,

i once had an ME super with a similar behaviour.
it turned out, that the variable resistor that reflects the ISO setting was (mechanically) worn out.

check the exposure at a different ISO - if it's the resistor, uncommon ISO settings may still act correctly.

if you want to be certain, ask a repairman (eric?)

cheers,
sebastian

edit: also a massive accumulation of dirt can have such an effect.

As I said, exposure seems to be technically fine. That and the fact that undexposure only occurs when there's light leakage.

The film chamber looks clean at a glance. I already had a repairman look at it, he said he had no clue what causes the scratches. He didn't look at it very thoroughly, though.