PENTAX SUPER A

Name: Pentax Super A
Brand: Pentax

The Pentax Super A is a 35mm film SLR introduced in 1983 as part of Pentax's advanced A-series lineup. It has manual control, aperture-priority autoexposure and a program exposure mode. It was one of the most sophisticated Pentax SLRs of its era.

Overview

The Pentax Super A came out in late 1983. It was called the Super Program in North America and Program A in Japan. It was the peak of Pentax's manual-focus 35mm SLR development before autofocus arrived. It sat above the Pentax A3000 and A3000N and was aimed at serious amateurs and semi-professionals who wanted creative control and automated convenience. It was the final evolution of the long-running Pentax K-series mechanical SLR lineage. It had a microprocessor-controlled exposure system and still took the extensive Pentax K-mount lens lineup.

The Super A brought Pentax's first program exposure mode. It picked both shutter speed and aperture from scene luminance and the film speed the user set. That moved Pentax toward automation, in line with contemporaries like the Minolta X-700 and Canon AE-1 Program. A comprehensive LCD display in the viewfinder and along the top deck shows exposure data, shutter speed, aperture and flash readiness. Despite the electronics, it has a metal chassis and a mechanical shutter backup that works at 1/100 sec without batteries - handy in the field.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm SLR
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1983–1985
Lens Mount	Pentax K (K-mount, with "A" coupling for automatic aperture)
Shutter	Vertical-travel, metal-bladed focal-plane shutter; speeds from 1 sec to 1/2000 sec, plus Bulb (X-sync at 1/125 sec)
Metering	TTL open-aperture, center-weighted average metering using a silicon photodiode (SPD) sensor
Exposure Modes	Program AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual (M), Flash Sync (X)
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with 0.92x magnification, 92% vertical and 95% horizontal coverage; displays shutter speed, aperture, exposure confirmation, and program mode indicator via LED and LCD
Dimensions	140 × 95 × 54 mm (5.5 × 3.7 × 2.1 in); ~640 g (body only, batteries included)

Key Features

Program Exposure Mode: First in Pentax’s lineup, automatically selecting optimal shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure.
Dual LCD Display: Top-deck LCD shows shutter speed, aperture, and exposure mode; integrated viewfinder display includes LED shutter speed readout and exposure indicators.
Microprocessor Control: Onboard CPU manages exposure calculations, shutter timing, and user interface functions for consistent performance.
Mechanical Backup: Shutter operates at 1/100 sec without batteries, ensuring limited functionality during power failure.
Flash Integration: Dedicated X-sync terminal and support for Pentax Auto Flash units with automatic exposure (TTL off-the-film plate metering with compatible flashes).

Historical Context

The Super A launched while manufacturers were racing to put microelectronics into consumer cameras. The early 1980s saw a move from fully mechanical systems to computerized exposure control, driven by Japanese innovation. It competed directly with the Minolta X-700 (1981), which had set a new benchmark for programmable SLRs, and the Canon AE-1 Program (1981), which paired automation with a sleek design and marketing appeal. Pentax answered with the Super A, a refined camera that stressed reliability and compatibility with existing lenses.

The Super A had a short production run (1983-1985). The likely cause was the rapid arrival of autofocus SLRs like the Minolta Maxxum 7000 (1985), which made manual-focus programmable cameras less competitive. It was still well received for its intuitive interface, its build, and the way it added automation without losing manual override. It sat between traditional SLR design and the electronic future.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Pentax Super A is a collectible example of late-era manual-focus SLR technology. It isn't as rare as some limited-production models, but its short production span and advanced feature set make it desirable among vintage camera enthusiasts. In excellent working condition it typically sells for $100 - $180 USD. Units with clean LCDs, responsive shutters and original accessories bring more.

When buying a Super A, check the shutter at all speeds, the clarity of the LCD displays (prone to fading or "ghosting" over time), and the exposure meter. The camera uses two 1.5V SR44 or LR44 batteries (or one 3V DL/CR-1/3N) to power the meter and electronics. Battery leakage is a common problem in stored units and can damage the circuitry. Inspect the rubber grips and light seals too, and replace them if they have deteriorated. Because it depends on the microprocessor, full function requires fresh batteries and a properly calibrated meter.

Similar Cameras

Minolta X-700 – Feature-rich programmable SLR with TTL metering and a bright viewfinder; considered the benchmark of its class.
Canon AE-1 Program – Successor to the AE-1, offering program mode and a compact design with extensive marketing support.
Nikon FE2 – Mechanically robust SLR with aperture-priority and manual modes; favored for durability and precise engineering.
Olympus OM-4 – Advanced manual-focus SLR with sophisticated metering and titanium shutter; aimed at professionals.
Yashica FX-7 – Budget-friendly programmable SLR with solid build and K-mount compatibility via adapter.

Repair & Maintenance

The Pentax Super A runs on two 1.5V SR44 (or equivalent LR44) button-cell batteries, stacked to give 3V for the metering and exposure systems. Some users substitute a single 3V CR-1/3N battery with an adapter, though voltage compatibility should be verified to avoid metering errors. Common problems are degraded LCD displays, sticky shutter curtains at slow speeds, and oxidation on the battery contacts. The microprocessor and shutter mechanism are sealed units, so internal repairs are complex and best left to experienced technicians.

Routine maintenance means cleaning the mirror and focusing screen, checking the light seals (which often degrade into a sticky residue), and making sure the film advance and rewind work smoothly. The mechanical 1/100 sec backup is a useful failsafe, but test it periodically. Given the camera's age, preventive servicing is recommended for regular use, especially after long-term storage. Replacement parts are limited but available through specialty vintage camera repair shops and donor units.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PENTAX SUPER A                                                  Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $270                                    Latest            $119 │
│ Median    $125                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $38                                     Volume           ~2/mo │
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│   $300 ┤                                                                 │
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│   $171 ┤.    .                                                           │
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│        │                                      ..    ..              .   .│
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│     $0 ┤                                                        .        │
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│    vol │▂    ▂                             ▂  ▅▂ ▂  ▂▂ █▂   ▂   ▅   ▅  ▂▂│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2025-11                      2026-03                      2026-08│
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