New film cameras are rare on the market nowadays, and when one turns up it's most definitely news. So yes, a good article, if bland in parts and written in a rather clerical style - a little short on data, mostly general statements. A typical feature. But on an interesting topic.
I was not aware of Japan Today. This morning I went back to that site to reread the Pentax article, but I found it was gone from Page 1. Looked around but didn't find it at first. Eventually I googled 'Pentax 17' in search and located it - also another story dated June 30, which revealed this new Pentax is really a Ricoh.
A few photo web sites have already posted reviews of this latest Pentax offer. Which looks promising. A particularly good one in Casual Photofile, with many fine images.
If it stimulates yet more film sales, well, why not? With the absurdly high price of film nowadays half frame makes sense. Whether the resolution will stand enlarging to, say, 8x10" has yet to be put to the test. Most 35mm photographers rarely print above 5x7" anyway, so this lesser 'standard' may be more realistic.
Here in Australia, most photographers I knew are casually interested in this new Pentax. Already a few retailers are taking orders at the AUD $850-$900 mark. With our crummy South Pacific peso stuck on 66 US cents, this almost-$1000 price tag is much too rich for the blood of many of us who will have to go back to the less than exciting Ebay offers for used gear.
(Added later) Raydm6, many thanks for your (subsequent to this) post. I stand corrected on that point.
