Pentax 17 film camera proves the company’s intention to embrace analog world and can be recognized as the first Pentax film camera for more than twenty years. This stylish half-frame camera has been the point of convergence to people due to its fashionable features that are associated with the conventional film cameras. It records two frames which are vertical in the area that a single horizontal one on the 35mm film can occupy. Indeed the name Pentax 17 represents the camera frame ratio that is 17 mm by 24 mm and gives photographers: beginners and professional, different vision.
As with any other review, we’ll discuss the specifications of the lens, the particulars surrounding the Pentax 17 and how it outputs the final product. This way, you’ll be able to determine at the end of this description whether this camera fits your photography needs or not.
Introduction to the Pentax 17 Film Camera
Of course the Pentax 17 is not simply a camera – it is a declaration of intent from Pentax to reinvigorate the use of film photography. The half-frame format it uses is an acknowledgment of the past where film ruled, at the same time it is the new and more enticing to today’s photographer.
To some of you Half-frame cameras may be an alien concept at first glance. To overcome this, Pentax’ s 17 leaps and captures two images per each frame of 35mm film. This implies that while in the old days, a roll of film could contain approximated 36 exposures, in the new economy, the film can take about 72 images which are actually double of the earlier number. It is a format that I believe should be explored and it is also a nice way to share stories with the help of photography only.
Design and Build Quality
One thing worth to be admired about the Pentax 17 is its clear design and very sturdy construction. When you look at the camera in your hands, you can feel that it is well-built that has metal and high quality sturdy plastic that was used in the construction without having to compromise on its weight. This blend is very important especially for photographers who are in constant travel with their equipment.
The design of the camera is classic with neutral lines and almost no extra details on the body of the camera, while at the same paying tribute to the more modern and ergonomic design in its streamlined and sleek look that resembles a bunch of old film cameras. The controls are easy to use, the layout is simple and it has been designed so that you do not have to spend time fiddling around with it; this makes Pentax 17 a cameras that can be used by both the amateur and the professional.
Why Design Matters
Unlike design in most appliances, design in a camera is not necessarily skin deep it also involves how the camera is shaped and gripping and how the controls are placed. A good camera design like that of the Pentax 17mm lens can go a long way in making the process of shooting more fun instead of a boring tedious task of getting the right shot.
Understanding Half-Frame Photography
One may say that the major innovation of the Pentax 17 is half-frame photography that differentiates it from other 35mm models. Thus, what is half-frame photography, and why should you be interested in it?
In a typical 35mm camera, focal plane contains one picture per frame of the film. However, when it comes to half-frame cameras such as Pentax 17, each frame of the film is divided into two parts, which in actuality can capture two vertically orientated photos at the same time. This implies that for a roll of 36 exposures, the user will be able to capture 72 images which is more than twice of what one gets and besides, the cost of the film will be slashed plus the discovery of more innovation.
The Creative Edge
Analyzing half-frame photography, it is possible to state that it makes people look at the world from a different perspective. The fact that the aspect ratio is 17mm x 24mm affords a vertical format which opens new ways to frame scenes and to tell a story. This makes the Pentax 17 so useful for photographers who’d prefer to do diptych or even just taking sequences of photos that tell a story in two frames, making it good for creative photography.
Lens Specifications and Performance
In the center of any cameral lies its lens and the current model of Pentax comes with a 37mm (sometimes it is expressed as equivalent) F3. 5. This lens is extremely useful due to the versatility of the range of focal length, it can be used for landscape, portrait, etc.
Image Quality and Versatility
The lens of 37mm offers normal focal length which is very close to how we, humans actually see things and is thus perfect for shooting normal scenes. The F3. 5 aperture is rather good being in the middle of being too shallow and too deep focusing on shallow DoF or gathering a ton of light. It isn’t especially fast, but for most situations it’s quite adequate especially when used in conjunction with the correct film.
These lenses are for sharpness and top of the line features with minimal aberration in the picture displayed. This is especially for photographers who wish to produce sharp images and feel that some aspects of the pictures are distorted.
Zone Focusing System
This is an excellent invention that enables the camera to focus on objects which are not centrally located—an aspect that the Pentax 17’s zone focusing system boasts of. Compared to most lenses that involve the user to manually adjust the focus of the pictures to be clicked, the Pentax 17 employs the zone focusing system that divides it into six zones.
How Zone Focusing Works
Zone focusing is the type of focusing in which you define the distance of focusing in terms of zones and not focusing based on each shot. This is especially important in areas such as street photography or any shooting situation where you need responses to be fast. This enables you to choose the right zone that would mean that your subject and focus is well in place without the need to move the lens all over the place.
Benefits of Zone Focusing
Not only does zone focusing make shooting faster, but it also minimises the likelihood of a blurry focus which is even more problematic in the case of an action photography session. It is an advantage that those who are using the Pentax 17 will not have any issues handling it even if they are entry level photographers, at the same time, there are those who are professional photographers and who will appreciate the kind of control it offers.
Circular Leaf Shutter: Versatility in Every Shot
The Pentax 17 is fitted with a circular leaf shutter with shutter speed adjustment of 1/350 sec to 4 sec in addition to ‘B’ model for bulb control. Such a range of shutter speeds allows the photographer a great opportunity to photograph any object as if it is a fast moving car or as if it is a calm and still landscape as the shutter speeds range from as low as 1 and as high as 1/4000.
Why the Shutter Matters
The other part is the shutter which play vital role in cameras since it determines the amount of time that film is exposed to light. The circular leaf shutter used in Pentax 17 is not only convenient and effective at reducing noise as well as contributing to the small size of the Pentax camera. Basically, this makes it perfect for ‘sneaky’ shots – whether they are of the everyday street life, or if a loud shutter sound will prove to be intrusive.
Built-in Flash and Low-Light Performance
Night one/few shots with old style SLR camers that for example do not allow to set ISO lower than 400 are really a problem. However, the Pentax 17 even combines its own flash, that operates up to a distance of 6 meters (20 feet) at ISO 100.
Enhancing Low-Light Capabilities
The built-in flash light source is quite effective to light up objects, thus helping you to capture correct images in low light situations. This feature is more advantageous in indoor photography, at night or any event that will require extra lighting since normal lighting is inadequate.
Another great feature of the flash is its design; it automatically blends with the camera enhancing its design without increasing the bundled size. It is an added value to the camera as it is used in a variety of shooting scenarios, thus making the camera to be more versatile.
Optical Tunnel Viewfinder
The aimed and attainable Pentax 17 has an optical tunnel viewfinder to make it very convenient to shoot for any individual. Unlike SLR camera, it doesn’t allow through the lens viewing, but it does come equipped with frame lines that assist you in actually framing your shots nicely.
Advantages of an Optical Tunnel Viewfinder
An optical tunnel viewfinder is quite basic but does the job, it is a very direct way of taking pictures. Again it is a feature that is a plus for the Pentax 17 zoom as it offers rather more straight forward shooting mode that most photographers enjoy using.
This kind of viewfinder is also enjoyed less of problems such as parallax error that is common with rangefinder cameras since the viewfinder is a separate unit from the lens. The Pentax 17 has a functional and dependable viewfinder so you do not have to worry about shooting in unfavorable conditions.
Film Compatibility and Exposure Range
The biggest selling point of the Pentax 17 Lens is that there is a compatibility with an array of filters and it is ideal for shooting using different film densities which range from ISO 50 to 3200. This circumstance most benefits photographers as it makes it possible for them to select the sort of film they need for their imaginative view or for shooting circumstances.
Choosing the Right Film
Focusing to an impressive range of 1/350 – 4 sec and the Bulb, the camera exposure is extremely flexible when it comes to capturing dynamic scenes or to creating big-time exposures. That the acme can use different kinds of films means that there is a possibility of coming up with different looks and style such as the high contrast black and white and the colorful images.
User Experience and Handling
The Pentax 17 principally, has all these aspect s of its design aimed at improving user experience. This is a camera that has been very well designed, in terms of comfort and ease-of-use is almost perfect. The use of Pentax 17 depends on the level of experience of the photographer and the features are somewhat easy for anybody to understand.
Ease of Use
That is one of the things that make the Backpack 17 easily memorable and a great utility for a photographer from this brand. The camera has a simple interface where the major control is done with the aim of offering smooth shooting. It makes it a very good choice for those who would rather have a camera aimed at taking pictures and no need to tinker with several parameters.
In addition, owing to the portable structure and light weight of this camera, one can take it anywhere whether going for a trip, or going for a walk around the block. A compact digital camera is a devices that you can always carry with you so you are prepared at all time to take that perfect shot.
Who Should Consider the Pentax 17?
The Pentax 17 has been purposely designed as a model that will be suitable for different photographers. In our view, the Pentax 17 is worth its price since it can be valuable for both novice who decided to try themselves in the field of filming with a movie camera, as well as for experienced photographer who needs additional tool in his tool kit.
Target Audience
• Beginners: New photo camera is very easy to use and will be great for those who start using film photography. The zone focusing system and the constructed – in flash ensures the removal of some of the difficulties that would be experienced by novices.
• Creative Photographers: Its half-frame construction along with the ability to shoot with the exposure latitude also make the Pentax 17 a versatile camera that will allow the user to try out new styles.
• Travel Photographers: Portability is one of the benefits of the camera’s small size and low weight, and its portability makes it easy to transport! It is quite sturdy to be able to stand the wear and tear associated with travel photography as well as being very flexible to give you a variety in subjects.
Pros and Cons of the Pentax 17
Pros
• Easy to carry and very portable in design, which is a good thing for Fashion and the Travel and Work purposes.
• Half-frame format increases the number of opportunities to capture a shot by two which means that per each roll of the film there would be as many exposures.
• A slim body lens of 37mm F3. 5 which can be used for a variety of photographic styles.
• The integrated flash helps to improve the possibility of taking photos in low light conditions.
• Complexity of the function and control makes it easy to operate and comes with advanced ergonomics.
Cons
• Constant aperture (F3. 5) may reduce the ability to control exposure in part of the shooting.
• In focus mode there is no choice of manual focus but only zone focus is available.
• In terms of framing, they are quite restricted to vertical framing because of the half-frame format, which may not be preferred by all the photographers.
Comparison with other film cameras
When comparing this particular camera, which is named as the Pentax 17, to other types of cameras which use films, it is necessary to focus on the peculiarities of this type of picture taking device. The adoption of the half-frame format for the SELV concept, exceptionally compact design and simplicity of use distinguish it from most 35mm type cameras.
How It Stands Out
• Versus Full-Frame Film Cameras: This creates an even greater importance of the half-frame format of the Pentax 17 as it provides and offers more creativity to the framing and the beliefs of the story. It also almost doubles the number of exposures, and hence, it is far more efficient in terms of film consumption.
• Versus Other Compact Film Cameras: There are many compact film cameras available on the market and about this kind of cameras Pentax 17 model is most attractive due to its modern functions and the element of traditional design. The built-in flash, zone focusing system, and circular leaf shutter offer a good combination of shooting versatility that’s offered in a number of cameras which can rarely be found on other models of cameras.
Conclusion
Needless to say the Pentax 17 is a camera that offers something fresh and at the same time pays its respects to the glory days of film. It is more specifically, easy to operate and portable had the half frame format, versatile lens and is therefore suitable for the amateur and professional photographers. Everyone can benefit from the Pentax 17 for those who would like to start a new journey in the film photography or who are searching for an additional tool to use in your art projects.
