Love at the first sight

It is quite an event, given that analog film cameras haven't been designed and produced for at least 20 years since the Nikon F6 for example. Perhaps Leica is the only one that produces still a M6 - as they took up that model and starting to produce it again.

But in general you don't really see any of the big camera companies having made a new filmbased camera. Until now due to the enthusiast project from Pentax (Ricoh), which now successfully made the Pentax 17.

I got immediately the feeling of "falling in love". (Which bugs me a bit, because I just started to take a huge climb onto one of my credit cards to get rid of it, as it has grown out of proportions, due to my Fujifilm GFX system i invested into. Which I sincerely do not regret. I love that thing and it has grown to being used as my daily (!) camera for many months now)

 




Pentax 17

So what is that thing anyway ? it is a half format camera, which shoots 35mm film, but the negative size is half of the traditional 24x36 mm size. Therefore a roll with 36 images gives you 72 images. The lens, a multi-coated 3 element glass construction, with manual zone focus - appears to make very sharp images. Kudos for that.

 

 

 

Central shutter

It uses a central shutter between 4 seconds and a mere 1/350 seconds (as well B which means long exposure if your desire with help of a cable release or the shutter button. But the latter would give you blur due to shake. But hry - it is another option if you don't have a cable release). I wonder if Canon's simplier remote release cable works - which also the Canon EOS R6 uses, as well the Olympus OM-1 I believe ? (2.5 mm pin)

However, the light meter is within the lens (on the lens ring) which means that when you use a filter - e.g. a gray filter - then it will adjust the automatic light meter accordingly. Something to think about, if you go out with a ISO 400 film in brought daylight, and find that the camera with it's max 1/350 sec central shutter, makes the aperture go all the way to the maximum. So, you can counteract this during summer days with a or 3 stop neutral gray density filter - and continue to shoot away with an ISO 400 film. Something I would do.

 

Chris Nicols explains the new camera

I am not a good writer - and instead let' Chris Nicols from PetaPixel explain the new half format camera from Pentax. I can only say - i love the design, i absolutely love the whole concept (it takes vertical shots) - and i love the quality that comes out of that camera.

 

 

I prefer this camera over any Instax camera !

And to be really really honest - i prefer this camera over any Fujifilm Instax cameras. As we speak Fujifilm, just updated its Instax Wide 300 into the Instax Wide 400 model after i don't know how many years in the Instax Wide range... what 10 years ? And still the same limitations (compared to other Instax cameras)

In Sweden i am sure the price will be around 2000 SEK or slightly below. A huge camera, and with the same limited shutter range (1.3 stops !!) and aperture around ƒ14 (I don't know is, if the aperture is flexible) Overall - it makes me wonder is, how can a camera adjust the exposure dependent on the available, with such an extreme limited shutter speed range ?!

Only a new self timer has been added.

Sure - it might be fun. But at the same time, come on - it is still the same extremely limited, unable to influence settings manually. Very disappointing.

 

Zinstax film back

Anyway, I got the Zinstax, so i can do Instax but with full manual freedom in terms of aperture and speed. Albeit on a truly HUGE camera such as the (studio) Mamiya RZ 67 camera *LOL* And the Instax image quality leaves a lot to be desired (but I kind of like it... in an ambivalent way). I used the Mamiya RZ67 camera without any tripod so far, because with an ISO 800 Instax film, you always can use 1/400 max shutter speed in bright daylight, while the apertures often go down to ƒ32+ (i often use a gray filter, to bring the aperture down a notch).

I have to confess that I threw an awful lot of money at this Instax stuff. Probably 1000 € in total. I am not sure if that was really worth it. The best value by a huge margin - I've got from the Canon Selphy CP1500 printer instead, with it's long-lasting, waterproof photos, especially when you adjust the image a bit extra with a touch more yellow and two touches more magenta, crank up the saturation three notches: then the prints are truly beautiful ! The cost per image, is amazingly low with 0.16 euro !

What a marvel in comparison to Instax.

Nevertheless, the square Instax prints, have a nice, classic and psychologically beautiful look. The 6x6 look, with the white frame around. So Polaroid like ! The colors are usually a notch better DAY AFTER I feel.

 


 

From that view - I love the Pentax 17 already

because it certainly gives more options in terms of user settings and has a splendid analog feel - plus the look is absolutely gorgeous. In fact; I always wanted an analog little "snapshot" camera on the fly. Something more "simplistic" to take with me very day - and has an integrated flash.

Like the Konica BG-301 for example, you can take with you everywhere. A classic that has gotten sensitive expensive on the second hand market. (I had 10 of those, because I often won the first prize in a German photo magazine in the 90s, where you always got that model. I then sold it to my friends, during the times i was unemployed, which gave me a bit economical leeway, and food on the table).

 

$500 / 579 € / 6611 SEK

The Swedish price for the Pentax 17 should be around 6611 SEK (500$ / 579 € with 25% tax) It is a bit steep - at the same time for a newly made product from scratch - it isn't expensive at all. I consider the camera far more useful than those one-time disposable plastic cameras you can buy. Or some funky Lomo camera.

 

The fun - for the sake of fun

But - i may sound a bit too negative there.

I do understand the FUN of going outside of mainstream, and simply have splashy fun with cameras, and "LoFi" output. The main idea after all is to HAVE FUN ! To step out of a narrow mindset, out of perfection.

I respect that.

Speaking of a half format camera. I've never had one. I find the idea of vertical images by default, very interesting. And perhaps above all - I do love the quality and sharpness that i have seen coming out from the Pentax 17. The lens seem to be a very good performer !

 

Pentax 17 Specs

  • Camera Type:
    Half Frame, behind-the-lens shutter 35mm film camera
  • Frame Size:
    24 x 17mm (half-frame)

  • Compatible Film:
    35mm film, ISO 50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
  • Sensitivity Setting:
    Manual setting to match film
  • Film Loading:
    Easy manual loading system

  • Film Advance:
    Manual winding using wind lever (130-degree stroke and 35-degree stand-off angle)
  • Film Rewind:
    Manual rewind using rewind crank; mid-roll rewind possible

  • Lens:
    HD Pentax Lens; 3 elements in 3 groups
  • Focal Length:
    25mm (equivalent to 37mm in full frame format)
  • Maximum Aperture:
    f/3.5
  • Angle of View:
    61 degrees
  • Maximum Magnification:
    Approximately 0.13x (at 0.25m)
  • Filter Diameter:
    40.5mm

  • Viewfinder:
    Optical bright-frame viewfinder with composition frame, close-up composition frame, and zone focus setting visible in VF; Blue LED warning light, orange LED flash indicator light

  • Focusing:
    Manual zone-focus control; six zones

  • Exposure Control:
    Partial metering from EV2.5 to16.5 (ISO 100)
  • Exposure Compensation
    +/- 2 EV in 1/3 steps

  • Shooting Modes:
    Full auto (Pan focus program AE, Auto flash), Standard (Program AE, Flash off), Slow-speed shutter (Slow-speed program AE, Flash off), Maximum aperture priority (Maximum aperture priority program AE, Flash off), Bulb (Bulb, Flash off), Daylight sync (Program AE, Flash on) , Slow-speed sync (Slow-speed program AE, Flash on)

  • Shutter:
    Program AE electronic shutter; speeds 1/350 to 4 seconds, Bulb

  • Flash:
    Built-in flash with guide number 6 at ISO 100 – m); 9 second charge time

  • Power Source:
    One 3V lithium battery (CR2); not compatible with rechargeable batteries; approximate life of 10 rolls / 36 exp. film

  • Dimensions & Weight:
    Approx. 127.0(W)×78.0 (H)×52.0(D)mm / 5.0(W)×3.1(H)×2.0(D)inches (excluding protruding parts); 290g (10.2 oz)

  • Price:
    $499.95 / 6611 SEK

 

Note 1

It’s worth noting that half press doesn’t lock exposure – if you move the camera whilst the button is half pressed, the exposure will adjust according to what the camera is pointed at. There is no exposure lock feature either, though as I will come to, there is an exposure compensation dial.

 

Note 2

If you have the camera set into AUTO mode - remember that at this setting the minimum focus distance only goes down to 1 meter. In other modes down to 0.24 meter. The camera strap length, is equivalent to 0.24 meter - so you can use that when you wish to go close ("macro mode")

 

Settings

The most important dial on the Pentax 17 is its shooting mode dial. This dial cycles the camera through the following shooting modes:

  • Auto:
    the camera automatically sets exposure time and lens aperture, and selects when and how to use the flash.
  • Program:
    the camera automatically sets the exposure time and lens aperture, and does not fire the flash.
  • Program Daylight Sync Flash:
    the camera automatically sets exposure time and lens aperture, and always uses the flash; for use when a subject is backlit or in shadow.
  • Slow Speed Program:
    moon symbol, for use when longer exposures are prioritized.
  • Slow Speed Program Flash:
    bright moon symbol, for use when longer exposures are prioritized and a flash is required.
  • Bokeh:
    the camera uses the maximum aperture at all times.
  • Bulb:
    maximum aperture is used, and the shutter remains open for as long as it is held (or with a shutter release cable CS-205)

 

Operating Manual

you can download it here (english)

 

 

Kamerastore Finland, Q&A about Pentax 17

 

 

First Impressions of the Pentax 17
by "Shoot film like a boss"

He did a well explained video, showing things in detail.


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