Pentax 17 and film photography is the top story on Japan Today

[DownUnder]

I had a 17 on preorder but then cancelled, as I decided to finish up restoring a Canon Demi EE17 instead. Had to fix a corroded wire to the battery compartment, and refinished in black paint.

The Demi is also half-frame, 30mm/1.7 lens instead of 28/3.5.

Will shoot the first roll soon!

Your Canon Demi will be just as good (almost) if a tad ancient. Also much cheaper than the new babe on the market. I recall from back then the 30/1.7 was rated as a superb lens. The retro look is also "tres du jour", here on the streets of Melbourne.

I'm now on the lookout for one, starting with Ebay. Usually I would avoid THAT site like a dose of Covid, but of late I've had a run of great cheap bargains. A Leitz table top tripod (I have wanted one all my life at a price I could afford), a Leitz pivoting head (bought separately from the same seller, clever he is, ha!), five Weston Masters for my collection of retro junque, and two photo books I've hunted for since the '90s.

Cameras on Ebay, well, those can be a minefield in Australia. Everybody and their sprogs are cleaning out their sheds and flogging off what they find, at prices that could refloat our national economy .

I did miss an Olympus Pen, an F. That classic from the '60s. Lensless. Listed as "minty" (does that mean soaked in herbal tea?). Often as not "mint" (with or without the y) means a full CLA to come at hideous cost here in Oz). Seller wanted $850, a whopping $50 less than the new Pentax, hey! I made a (to me) more sensible offer. He came down by $10. A polite decline from me. But he will likely sell it before this weekend. there's one born every minute...

 

[splitimageview]

Oh yeah, a lot more ancient, very solidly built with a cool mid-century cachet: that's exactly why it was worth the effort. 🙂

Stopped down to 3.5 I doubt there will be much difference optically, probably the Pentax will be more contrasty and flare resistant. I don't think f/1.7 is of much use as there is no way to pinpoint focus, any subject intentionally shot for bokeh at f/1.7 will depend on luck.

 

[agentlossing]

I just learned the word "sprog."

 

[DownUnder]

I just learned the word "sprog."

Used often in Australia, as a term of endearment. "The sprogs are home from school this week and they are driving me bonkers!" as our next door neighbours often say.

There is also "wog" which you may want to look up. Most definitely NOT to be spoken in proper company...

 

[sara]

I just got one ahhhhhhh.

Despite some hate online, I actually really like it.

 

[splitimageview]

That’s all that matters, ignore the hate. 🙂

 

[sara]

That’s all that matters, ignore the hate. 🙂

I think I read that many disliked the format, hated the resolution, that it was partially plastic etc, not good for professional photos but if you think about it, that's not what the camera is really for.

If I wanted a proper photo, I would use a proper 35mm camera if you get what I mean.

I bought this because yes, I could shoot more photos of course, but I didn't want to use my phone to take the photos...why have digital when I can have some nice film photos lol.

Also bought it because I can take more pics of my child now on film.

 

[dourbalistar]

Also bought it because I can take more pics of my child now on film.

Not many better reasons than that, congrats!

 

[sara]

Not many better reasons than that, congrats!

Thank you! He is tiring me out...sometimes hard to photograph. I have now learnt children at a certain age are so difficult to photograph as they move around too fast...!

I'd rather have half-frame photos than digital photos.

Some this and some that, it's ok!

Oh and the winder is sooo smooooth lol. But it's nice to just shoot without feeling pressured about anything. Too careful on the 35mm sometimes...

 

[sojournerphoto]

I think I read that many disliked the format, hated the resolution, that it was partially plastic etc, not good for professional photos but if you think about it, that's not what the camera is really for.

If I wanted a proper photo, I would use a proper 35mm camera if you get what I mean.

I bought this because yes, I could shoot more photos of course, but I didn't want to use my phone to take the photos...why have digital when I can have some nice film photos lol.

Also bought it because I can take more pics of my child now on film.

A great reason to shoot film. My girls’ childhoods were photographed mostly with film. Less pictures, but enough - until they stopped wanting me to take them.

Mike

 

[Out to Lunch]

I contacted three major camera stores in Saigon, a city with +10 mln inhabitants and all three shops sold their copies within a day. I did not do better in Hong Kong: sold out everywhere. I am now on the waitlist for the Rollei 35 AF.

 

[coelacanth]

I got one fairly soon after the launch, and I've been shooting it nonstop, and that experience made me re-enter the film M after several years of hiatus.

 

[agentlossing]

I got one fairly soon after the launch, and I've been shooting it nonstop, and that experience made me re-enter the film M after several years of hiatus.
View attachment 4843392View attachment 4843393

Terrific snapshots on their own, and satisfying diptychs!

 

[WoodallP]

Spotted the below post on Reddit the other day, talking about the power of the processor in the Pentax 17. Who’d have thunked it!

I suppose they just use available components that have multiple uses. The same is unfortunately true for my useful but annoying Gossen Digisix 2 meter, where they decided to use the full functionality of the bought-in chip and added an alarm clock. It’s so easy to accidentally set and I have lost count of the number of times that I have been awoken by its tinny beep at 3AM or thereabouts.

 

[splitimageview]

There is a used (new) Pentax 17 at B&H for 10% off.

 

[JeffS7444]

I've owned a Canon Demi EE17, and it's a good camera with a fast lens. But I'm really enjoying the Pentax 17's lighter weight, good handling, and clicky focus control, which I can operate by touch.

 

[Freakscene]

I've owned a Canon Demi EE17, and it's a good camera with a fast lens. But I'm really enjoying the Pentax 17's lighter weight, good handling, and clicky focus control, which I can operate by touch.
View attachment 4845248

Great shot. Paper magazines _and_ a half frame film camera in 2024. Dinosaurs still walk!

 

[Out to Lunch]

An interview with two Pentax managers on the Pentax 17 and how a small company stays afloat in today's camera market.

 

[JeffS7444]

A recent message from TKO about the possible future of film (no new-product teases)

 

[rhl-oregon]

There are P-17s on Facebook Marketplace and Fred Miranda for $350-500. I was thinking about one but got a Pen FT instead, to go with my old Pen chimney finder.