Multitude of lenses-both Pentax and others. Very dependable-one of the few cameras that you can use flash priority with flash fill. Small and balanced nicely.

Center weighted metering sometimes gives underexposed shots. Film rewind lever should be tightened after loading film to eliminate ghosting.

One of the best older camera's. Once you learn the controls it's a snap. No autofocus here-just old time photography.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

Chinon CP-7M. K1000.

Amazing product!
I cannot believe I only payed 158$ Canadian for this (102$us).
It is very easy to use, especially for a photograpy student like me.
It never came with a manual but I figured it out relly fast.
Even though it is a 14 Year old camera all the new pentax lenses ive tried fit on it.

Compared only to the new Pentax MZ series I miss the half a fstop indications on the exposure meter.
Here you only have full fstops.

A great camera!
Awesome for newbies like myself, because of its easy of use.
It is amazing how much this camera can do, and it even has digital lcd controls.
If you see it, BUY IT! Because it most likely won't be their next time.

Customer Service

www.pentax.com

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Mz

Solid build, multi-exposures, depth-of-field preview, great range of interchangeable lenses.

Was a touch pricey when available, I paid 520 AUD (270 USD) in 1981!!

Great camera, if the K1000 is a classic then this camera is not far behind. The exposure meter in manual is very precise and standard 50mm lense which came with this camera is a beauty. Pentax could learn from this camera, the plastic feeling cameras of today are not in the same class.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Mz-M

Solid build, exposure extemely accurate. Good set of basic features.

none for its age and class

I was given this camera as a gift as a gift back in 1986 before I left for my year abroad in England. Since then I have traveled with the SuperProgram in my hand or on my shoulder as I backpacked through Europe, took multiple trips to the desert southwest, driven cross country, returned to England several times, mortorcycled around the canadian maritimes, and traveled up and down the east coast and all New England. The Super Program is small, light, solid and reliable. I have used it in the rain, heat, and cold. I have dropped it, bumped it, and generally abused it. It has never been serviced and continues today to take stunning pictures. A great camera.

Now that I have a real job and kids I don't travel much, but the SuperProgram continues on with me as I photograph my children and family. This camera now serves as a backup to my Pentax ZX-5n - usually color in the ZX-5n and B&W in the SuperProgram. The beauty of the backwards compatibility of the Pentax line is that the manual lenses I bought with the SuperProgram I use on the ZX-5n, and the autofocus lenses I bought for the ZX-5n are right at home on the SuperProgram.

Overall - great little metal camera with all the needed features.

Customer Service

Never used

Similar Products Used:

Pentax A3000, LX, ZX-5n

Consistent high quality results with an intuitive layout. Only problem I have even had was caused by my overexuberance with the film advance lever.

Does not like to be dropped - meter had to be repaired.

This has been the most durable camera I have ever owned. I like that it has a PC outlet (my PZ1p does not), and the metal body has stood up to worldwide travel. Small size makes it easy to take anywhere, full functionality makes it easy to set and forget for fast action or spontaneous photography. What a weapon!! I like it so much I have two!

Customer Service

outsorced

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MV
Pentax Spotmatic
Pentax PZ1p

In 1982 I purchased this camera for my wife who is a dedicated outdoor photographer. It has performed flawlessly under any circumstance you can imagine. She has a portfolio of photos which is pretty awesome. She has never complained one time about the quality of her photos.

She is getting older and no automatic focus has caused her problems recently. For a person with younger eyes this would not be a problem.

She would never have considered another camera but as she grows older difficulty focusing has caused her incresing frustration. She likes to do a wide variety including lots of flower closeups. She is extremely picky as, I suppose, most good photographers are. As her husband, her frustration affects me. Thus, I have just bought her a Nikon N80 and will have to invest in all new lens. In a year I'll get her to write a review of this new camera. The bottom line is, if you know what you are doing and don't need autofocus, this camera is flawless with good lenses.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

None

solid, metal, rugged,can take abuse, has travelled all over the world.

so far have not found any.

I would prefer to buy one like that, than the modern expensive battery hungry units available now. Life span has been very good.

Customer Service

regular servicing, parts are getting rare now. No longer supported.

Similar Products Used:

K-1000, Canon AE-1,
Pentax MZ-50

Very solid build, pretty good set of features for its age (17 years), easy to use, accurate exposure metering, small size, amazing quality at all, fantastic range of good quality SMC lenses, TTL flash metering.

Not produced anymore.

If you find this camera in good condition, buy it!
This is a exemple of high quality and I can say that only the new high-end pros matches the Super Program. Excelent for fast shots! Turns a outdoor beginner photographer into a pro. I will never sell mine!!

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Yashica Fx3
Pentax K1000
Minolta 7xi
Canon EOS 300
Olympus OM1

It has taken a lot of abuse over 20 years and has never been cleaned or needed repair. I do a lot of photography, weddings, proms, school yearbook photos, etc.

The only weakness with this camera is that it is no longer made, therefore, the accessories are hard to find. For example, the cable for the dedicated flash cannot be found, and mine has a short.

I purchased this camera in the early 1980's. I have five 35mm cameras. None can compare to the Pentax Super Programable. I have recently purchased newer cameras, only to sell them after becoming familiar with them. This camera and all of its lenses fills all of my needs+.

Customer Service

No customer service was required.

Similar Products Used:

Canon, Minolta