A short user review of the Pentax 17

[Aryel]

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This is a quick review of the Pentax 17.  I bought the camera end of November and I have been using it continuously since then. Took it to a recent trip to Vietnam and won’t hesitate to do so again. Especially when hiking or when I need a point and shoot with flash.

I won’t get into the camera spec as they are easy to find. Let me start with the few downsides:  it feels a bit slow when pressing the shutter. Especially coming from full mechanical cameras… I’d also prefer a distance scale rather than the symbols (this is very minor). You can do double exposure but it is a bit hit and miss (i.e. it seems to take an additional frame to re-align properly). See one example here: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5717039

 

With that out of the way, I can say that overall, I like it a lot. It is light, small and feels pretty good. It is very fast to set and shoot. Ergonomics are perfect for me. Set the distance, compensate exposure if needed and you are ready to go. I find the lens surprisingly good and was pleasantly surprised by the half frame resolution and look. Bear in mind, I like grain a lot. Overall, it is a very playful camera, you have 72 shots per roll so no need to be savvy.  It can be easily shot with one hand so can go creative with the framing. Vertical by default is nice. My understanding is that it was designed to feel similar to shooting with a mobile phone. In that respect this is exactly how I use it. The flash makes it very versatile. Auto exposure works really well.

For scanning, I haven’t changed anything: I just scan the photos two by two using the valoi35. Not optimal but as the photos get consistently exposed most of the time, I don’t think I lose much.

I have posted quite a few photos on the I like film thread. Here are links to some of them:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5742563

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5740309

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5739723

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/?do=findComment&comment=5739156

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or to add your impression if you have one. 

Edited January 20 by Aryel

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[250swb]

I’m not sure it’s a camera for me, I’ve never got along with half frame cameras of any type because of the amount you have to shoot before developing the film. I’m more of a slow and steady photographer and often use 24 exposures. But I encourage everybody to have a look at your fantastic photographs in the ‘I like film….’ thread to see just how inspiring the results can be with the Pentax 17. 

[TomB_tx]

6 hours ago, Aryel said:

I’d also prefer a distance scale rather than the symbols (this is very minor).

Turn the camera over - distance scales in both feet and meters are at the underside of the lens!

I have 3 granddaughters (college age) who are into film using disposable cameras - so I got them each a 17 for Christmas. Of course I ran a short roll through each first to make sure they worked. I enjoyed them more than I expected, and results with PanF (50 ISO) held up very well. I think Pentax has a winner for their intended market.

[stray cat]

Thank you Aryel for a very interesting summation of the ups and (very few) downs of the Pentax 17. It does sound like the perfect travel companion, and a camera that is almost a "no-brainer" to have with you pretty much all the time. Which you obviously do! The lens does look rather superb, and it is a wonderful match for Portra 400, especially for those of us who love grain.

[Aryel]

On 1/21/2025 at 3:08 AM, 250swb said:

I’m not sure it’s a camera for me, I’ve never got along with half frame cameras of any type because of the amount you have to shoot before developing the film. I’m more of a slow and steady photographer and often use 24 exposures. But I encourage everybody to have a look at your fantastic photographs in the ‘I like film….’ thread to see just how inspiring the results can be with the Pentax 17. 

Yes, 72 shots can take quite some time to finish. For travelling though, it is can be quite handy (until it is time to head to the airport and you still have half a roll to go through).

On 1/21/2025 at 4:45 AM, TomB_tx said:

Turn the camera over - distance scales in both feet and meters are at the underside of the lens!

I have 3 granddaughters (college age) who are into film using disposable cameras - so I got them each a 17 for Christmas. Of course I ran a short roll through each first to make sure they worked. I enjoyed them more than I expected, and results with PanF (50 ISO) held up very well. I think Pentax has a winner for their intended market.

Hope they are enjoying it. These are fantastic gifts. 

On 1/21/2025 at 11:49 AM, stray cat said:

Thank you Aryel for a very interesting summation of the ups and (very few) downs of the Pentax 17. It does sound like the perfect travel companion, and a camera that is almost a "no-brainer" to have with you pretty much all the time. Which you obviously do! The lens does look rather superb, and it is a wonderful match for Portra 400, especially for those of us who love grain.

Yes, that sums it up perfectly! Hope we'll see more coming out from Pentax.