Pentax Super Program

The Pentax Super Program, introduced in 1983, was a significant evolution in Pentax's 35mm SLR lineup, particularly noted for its dual exposure modes. It seamlessly combined full manual control—where the photographer sets both aperture and shutter speed— with sophisticated aperture-priority automatic exposure, activated via a dedicated switch. This flexibility catered to both traditionalists and those embracing automation. Key to its design was the Pentax K2 mount, which introduced electrical contacts to support Pentax's new 'A' series lenses featuring automatic aperture setting. The body featured robust metal construction, a reliable cloth focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1s to 1/1000s plus B, and a bright pentaprism viewfinder with an integrated LED exposure meter display. Its shutter release button incorporated a distinctive sliding switch for manual/auto mode changes, becoming a signature feature. While not a groundbreaking "system camera" like the Nikon F, the Super Program represented a crucial step in Pentax's strategy towards autofocus dominance, offering a feature-rich, well-built, and relatively affordable option for serious enthusiasts during a transitional period in SLR technology.

The camera embodied the practical and user-centric design philosophy of Pentax in the early 1980s. Its controls were logically laid out and clearly labeled, making it accessible without sacrificing precision. The inclusion of both TTL metering with center-weighted averaging and the ability to use the vast existing library of M42 screw-mount lenses via an adapter (albeit without full aperture coupling) further enhanced its versatility. It was a workhorse camera, valued for its reliability and the high-quality images produced with Pentax glass. While overshadowed later by Pentax's autofocus flagship models like the Super A and then the Program Plus/AVS, the Super Program maintained a strong following for its build quality and manual focus capabilities. It stands as a representative example of the mature, refined 35mm SLR technology prevalent just before the explosion of autofocus models redefined the market.