Pentax Super A
Pentax Super A, a 1983 manual focus camera
Reclaiming found things
Well, well – Hello! I didn’t even know you were still around….
Going through some old box’s of things from the old loft last week I found this camera and it must be one of the first SLR Camera’s I ever owned. Back in 1985, I moved from Altrincham near Manchester to live and work for Chase Manhattan bank as an IBM programmer.
I Purchased this Pentax Super A from the shop across the road from the flat I rented. You can just about make out the shop in this photograph (Image photography) which by the way is the first frame from the first roll of film I ever used in this Camera.
I don’t remember at which point I didn’t use this Pentax any more, I think it is when I started getting into Nikon Cameras with an FM2n body which I thought was my first SLR film camera.
I just love finding old things and believe me I will use this camera again now its re-found. I am attempting to get some processing chemicals to do a post on black and white negative processing, the shop I was hoping to get it from however let me down so I am having to get it imported from Birmingham in the UK.
Here are some Sample images that I took first time around with this Pentax Super A.
Nigel Borrington 
Nice recount, beautiful images.
May 24, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Thank you Anne 🙂
May 24, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Great old shots Nigel. I still have my old SLR I bought in 1979 and I’ve got my dad’s old Braun/Nornberg Paxette he bought in 1952. I’m glad I didn’t get rid of mine 🙂
May 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Hello Norma,
Thank you, I love these old cameras and really hope they don’t kill film completely 🙂
Thanks Norma
May 24, 2013 at 1:11 pm
My first SLR was a Pentax SV and I think my first Nikon was an FE but it might have been a Nikkormat. I have some of the Nikons (I’ve given away some) but not the Pentax.
May 24, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Hello Murray, Yes it funny isn’t it most people including myself use Canon or Nikon because they think they are Pro cameras. However like ourselves its the old Pentax cameras your pleased you still have!
May 24, 2013 at 2:59 pm
My first 35mm SLR was a MamiyaSekor 500DTL purchased in 1968. Still have it, but regard it mostly as an antique. The cost of film and processing always limited my creativity, although I did get a lot of nice black and white photos that I processed myself out of it. Am definitely a fan of monochrome!
May 24, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Hello Alli,
Good Camera !
Yes I think that’s right film costs were and still are an issue, I have noticed however that when I am out with a film camera, I think more about the shots that will truly work or not , so I don’t think I take anything like the same volume.
I sometime still take a film camera on Holiday and a limited number of films depending on the location. I find this much more sociably as you load a film take the shot and walk on, you don’t do anything else until you get home….
Yes I love Black and white film, I still feel that its better than digital although the gaps is closer! Just something about the depth of tones
May 24, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Wonderful post! I think it’s awesome that you still have that camera.
May 24, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Thank you 🙂
May 26, 2013 at 11:47 am
Get some chemical online. Maco direct.de or something I think will suit you best. You better use that pentax!
May 24, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Thank you I will check them out!
Yes, I already did today :), I may post of this rol,l this time just to check out the camera, really enjoyed using it again!
May 25, 2013 at 12:44 am
Manual focus yes but in its day it offered automatic exposure or program mode ,shutter priority and aperture priority which were quiet new and expensive features. Used mine till it broke beyond repair and sold the lenses to finance my switch to digital. Looking forward to your shots 🙂
May 26, 2013 at 9:20 am
Hello Christophe
Yes I was so excited to know I still had this camera because I remember it was the first time I ever understood all the features you list- in photography using this very slr.
I just ran a film through it doing some landscapes up in a place called the Nire Valley here, I will post it of Monday here is hoping it all worked ok. Everything sounded and looked good but as back then you never know until you see the prints or these days do a scan or two…
Thanks for the comment 🙂
May 26, 2013 at 10:30 am