Pentax, a celebrated Japanese camera brand, has stepped back into the film photography arena with the release of the Pentax 17. This marks Pentax’s first new film camera launch in over two decades, aiming to leverage the nostalgic photo-sharing trend that has taken social media by storm. The Pentax 17 is a half-frame, semi-automatic camera designed to use 35mm film, but it shoots smaller vertical images, allowing for 72 photos per roll instead of the standard 36.
Features and Design
The Pentax 17 distinguishes itself with a compact 25mm f/3.5 lens, equivalent to a 37mm lens in full-frame terms. This pancake-style lens contributes to the camera’s portability, making it highly convenient for everyday use. The camera offers a hybrid of manual and automatic functionalities. For instance, users manually wind the film and set the ISO rating, while the camera handles exposure automatically. It even includes an exposure compensation wheel for fine-tuning shots.
Additional features include an on-off switch for conserving battery life, a built-in flash, and a rangefinder-style viewfinder with frame lines for different distances. These thoughtful design elements make the Pentax 17 a versatile tool for both novice and more experienced photographers.
Manual and Automatic Functions
The camera skillfully combines manual and automatic features to cater to various user preferences. The lever to wind the film and the manual ISO setting give users a sense of control, reminiscent of classic film photography. However, the automatic exposure system ensures that less experienced photographers can still achieve well-balanced shots without much fuss.
Compact and Portable
The Pentax 17’s compact 25mm f/3.5 lens enhances its portability, making it a convenient choice for photographers who are always on the go. Despite its compact size, the lens provides impressive image quality, contributing to the camera’s overall appeal.
Popularity and Pre-Orders
The Pentax 17 has seen remarkable success, especially in Japan, where it was announced as sold out before its official release due to an overwhelming number of pre-orders. Ricoh Imaging Company, which oversees the Pentax brand, highlighted the intense demand for this camera. Takeo Suzuki, the product planner and designer, acknowledged the various challenges the team faced during development but credited the support and expertise from various sources, including retired colleagues.
“The development of the Pentax 17 was a new project with many challenges, but we received a lot of support from various people,” said Takeo Suzuki. Engineers utilized archive drawings of past cameras to replicate manual winders and other traditional technologies, adding a genuine touch of nostalgia to the camera’s design.
Film Photography Trends
Film photography has experienced a renaissance, driven largely by younger creators who have discovered the unique charm of film. This resurgence has captured the attention of camera manufacturers. While smartphones and digital cameras offer advanced computational processing capabilities, they often lack the unpredictability and “happy accidents” that film can produce. Additionally, there is growing interest in experimenting with lesser-known film stocks, such as cinema films repurposed for still photography.
The Allure of Film
There are several reasons why film photography is making a comeback. For one, it offers a more hands-on and deliberate approach to taking photos. Unlike digital cameras, film cameras require manual adjustments, encouraging photographers to think carefully about each shot. This slower, more intentional process can lead to more thoughtful and creative images.
Exploration of New Film Stocks
Another factor contributing to film photography’s resurgence is the desire to explore new and unique film stocks. Photographers are increasingly experimenting with lesser-known options, including repurposed cinema films, to achieve distinct looks and characteristics in their photos.
User Experience
Photographer Teo Crawford shared his experience with the Pentax 17, highlighting several aspects of the camera’s design and functionality. Crawford praised the manual features and exposure compensation wheel, as well as the compact lens design. Despite his overall positive impression, he noted that the camera’s middle section, made of plastic, felt less rigid compared to his preferred Pentax K1000.
Crawford also appreciated the lens quality, mentioning that it produced detailed and grainy photos when paired with Kodak Portra 400 film. This feedback underscores the Pentax 17’s capability to deliver high-quality images despite its compact and semi-automatic design.
Conclusion
The Pentax 17 is a significant addition to the film photography market, offering a blend of manual and automatic features that cater to different user preferences. Its compact design and high-quality lens make it a suitable choice for everyday photography. While it may not be perfect, the Pentax 17 is a testament to the enduring appeal of film photography, even in the digital age.
Source: Pentax 17, its first film camera in 21 years, rides ‘nostalgic’ photo wave by South China Morning Post
What Others Say About Pentax 17
Design and Aesthetics
The Pentax 17’s design is striking and reminiscent of Pentax’s glory days.
“The first thing that grabs anyone who sees and holds the Pentax 17 for the first time is its striking design and titanium-colored finish.”
– Petapixel
The camera’s titanium-colored finish and vintage design elements make it a standout in the market.
Handling and User Experience
The Pentax 17 is praised for its ergonomic design and ease of use.
“The Pentax 17 feels better in hand than my other compact camera. It’s lighter and easier to pocket.”
– Reddit User
The camera’s lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for street and event photography.
Image Quality and Film Experience
The Pentax 17 offers a unique and nostalgic film experience.
“The image quality on the Pentax 17 is more about having fun, experimenting a bit, accepting the occasional bad exposure, and taking some pleasure in the analog experience.”
– Petapixel
The camera’s half-frame format and grainy images evoke a sense of nostalgia and charm.
Market and Demand
The Pentax 17 has seen a high demand, with pre-orders selling out quickly.
“The camera, which has a classic black appearance, takes half-frame photos. This means a 24-exposure film yields 48 shots, which are portrait in orientation. The camera’s popularity in Japan is so high that Ricoh Imaging Company announced it was sold out due to an unexpectedly high number of pre-orders.”
– SCMP
The camera’s unique features and nostalgic appeal have resonated with both seasoned film photographers and new enthusiasts.
Pentax 17 Tech Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Pentax 17 |
| Manufacturer | Pentax (Ricoh Imaging Company) |
| Camera Type | Half-frame, semi-automatic 35mm film camera |
| Lens | 25mm f/3.5 (equivalent to 37mm in full-frame) |
| Photos per Roll | 72 |
| Exposure Control | Automatic with manual compensation |
| ISO Setting | Manual |
| Film Winding | Manual |
| Additional Features | Built-in flash, on-off switch, rangefinder-style viewfinder |
| Design | Compact and portable |
| Color | Titanium-colored finish |
Leave a Reply