More on the Pentax film camera project

[mothertrucker]

I like that there are no foam light seals. I want to see some size comparisons to other half frame cameras. 25mm is a good choice because there are not a whole lot of 25mm half frame cameras. The most famous that comes to mind is the Olympus Pen W of which good copies go for $$$ last time I checked.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Yikes, $600+ better not be the price, hype or no hype.

I think we've become accustomed to the price of mass-produced electronics. Given the more mechanical nature of this little beast, and the far smaller scale of its production, I think $600.00 is not unreasonable, if one wants it. I don't.

 

[JohnGellings]

I think we've become accustomed to the price of mass-produced electronics. Given the more mechanical nature of this little beast, and the far smaller scale of its production, I think $600.00 is not unreasonable, if one wants it. I don't.

There are a lot of very nice film cameras available for that price though. We have no idea what the scale of production is though. I do know they are having special events in a few countries for the announcement. That tells me they expect to have a hit. I guess I just do not care enough about film anymore for me to think $600 is a good price. This is Pentax, not a start up.

 

[splitimageview]

If it is indeed $600, that's quite reasonable in today's money for what looks like a well-built (i.e., non plastic) body. Or you can spend half that for a nice 60 year old Pen FT with a dead meter, no built in flash, no auto exposure or compensation dial. 🙂

Curious how one sets aperture, I suppose it's all auto except for the 'bokeh' setting.

 

[agentlossing]

There are a lot of very nice old film cameras available for that price though. We have no idea what the scale of production is though. I do know they are having special events in a few countries for the announcement. That tells me they expect to have a hit. I guess I just do not care enough about film anymore for me to think $600 is a good price. This is Pentax, not a start up.

Some of us have great resources for buying well kept older cameras, but most younger people interested in film do not.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

There are a lot of very nice film cameras available for that price though. We have no idea what the scale of production is though. I do know they are having special events in a few countries for the announcement. That tells me they expect to have a hit. I guess I just do not care enough about film anymore for me to think $600 is a good price. This is Pentax, not a start up.

Point well taken about Pentax as an established company. If they're seriously committed to film photography, this first new camera should be a loss leader, to get folks back into the fold, or introduce younger folks to film.
I agree that $600 buys a lot of used camera, and that's where I'd put my money (and have, all too often!). But people who don't know their way around analog equipment might feel insecure about that, and prefer to buy something new, with a warranty.

 

[ecowarrior]

 

[Retro-Grouch]

"...perfect for today's world of vertical screens." Okay, is there something I'm missing?

 

[ecowarrior]

"...perfect for today's world of vertical screens." Okay, is there something I'm missing?

Perfect for kids. I think that's what she meant.

 

[Archlich]

"...perfect for today's world of vertical screens." Okay, is there something I'm missing?

It was first claimed during this interview a few months back. "This might appeal to the kids" IMO seriously smells of, well, senior Japanese thinking.

 

[JohnGellings]

Ok guys, better your wallet than mine. I like it, just not that much.

The vertical viewfinder and aspect ratio for half frame is what you are missing RG.

 

[Archlich]

I hope they had been a bit more careful in the post. The stock "shutter sound" that has fake motor whirring built in doesn't sound appropriate when you're advertising a camera that advances by the lever.

 

[JohnGellings]

Wow, that thing is pretty big for a half frame...

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Wow, that thing is pretty big for a half frame...

I noticed that, too. Compare to the full-frame Rollei 35.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

The 17 looks to be in the mad tradition of the Auto 110 and Pentax Q. I hope it sells well.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

The 17 looks to be in the mad tradition of the Auto 110 and Pentax Q. I hope it sells well.

I suspect it will, and as the first "real" mass-market film camera in years, I suspect also that its success will make it a bellwether in the industry. I have mixed feelings about that; I'd much rather see a more conventional, mechanical full-frame film camera take that role (the Grouch speaks!). We shall see...

 

[JohnGellings]

Ok so $499 in the USA.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

£500 in the UK

 

[bjolester]

Pentaxforums article with sample images:

The Pentax 17 35mm Half-frame Officially Announced

 

[Coldkennels]

£500 in the UK

Bit of an oof from me on that one.

But hey, everything's more expensive now. The amount of kids I see with £800 iPhones... £500 for a "proper" camera might be a drop in the ocean in comparison.

On a slightly ridiculous tangent, I did notice that the Pentax 17 should be able to take a Shirley-Wellard cassette. Will that matter to anyone except me? Probably not. But it was still nice to see.

Edit: I'll say this - the sample photos on the Pentax Forums article (scroll to the bottom) actually look pretty decent as far as quality goes. I'm not about to pick up an auto-exposure half frame, regardless of price, but... I'm impressed. This pair were shot on Ektachrome: