The Pentax 17 is generating a lot of buzz within the film photography community. Exploring its features and design, you might find it a compelling option for your photography needs.
Coming to you from Teo Crawford, this comprehensive video takes a closer look at the Pentax 17. He starts by using the camera in casual settings, capturing everyday moments before taking it on a dedicated photo shoot.
Crawford’s first impression of the Pentax 17 is surprisingly positive. Though he doesn’t consider himself a gearhead, he appreciates the camera’s thoughtful design. The Pentax 17 is a half-frame, semi-automatic film camera, meaning it uses 35mm film but shoots smaller vertical photos, allowing for 72 photos per roll instead of 36. It combines manual and automatic features, like a lever to wind the film and a manual ISO rating. The exposure is automatic, with an exposure compensation wheel to fine-tune your shots.
The camera’s lens is a standout feature. It’s a compact 25mm f/3.5 lens, equivalent to 37mm in full-frame terms. This pancake-style lens keeps the camera compact, making it easy to carry. Other notable features include an on-off switch to save battery life, a built-in flash, and a rangefinder-style viewfinder with frame lines for different distances. Crawford highlights these features, noting how they contribute to the camera's usability.
Crawford appreciates the manual features like the lever and film rewinder, which add to the fun of using a film camera. The exposure compensation wheel is another favorite, allowing for easy adjustments in tricky lighting situations. He also loves the compact lens design, making the camera convenient to carry around. However, he has mixed feelings about the viewfinder’s blue tint, which contrasts with his preference for warm tones in his final photos.
Moving on to criticisms, Crawford points out the materials used in the camera. The top and bottom are magnesium alloy, but the middle is plastic, which makes the camera feel less rigid. He prefers a heavier, more solid camera, contrasting sharply with his beloved Pentax K1000. The Pentax 17 is designed to be lightweight, but Crawford finds it too big compared to his Olympus XA3, which is smaller despite being a full frame camera.
In terms of photo quality, Crawford used Kodak Portra 400 film and was pleased with the results. The detail and grain looked great, thanks to the high-quality lens. He notes that while he prefers horizontal shots, the half-frame format encourages vertical shooting. This camera is intended for viewing photos on mobile devices and social media, where it excels. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Crawford.
