10 Things to Know about the Pentax 17 (Getting the Best Results)

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10 Essential Pentax 17 Tips for achieving my the best image quality and results from the camera! In this video we go over best practices that will make photographing with the new Pentax much more easy!
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[@KingJvpes]

Did I miss any? Comment your Pentax 17 tips down below! And drop a like on this video! (Because I’m desperate for attention)

[@wheezzy101]

The auto mode overrides what focus distance you have set and uses a pan-focus with a fixed focus point. So you don't want to shoot food or macro using auto mode, there is a high chance it will not be in focus.

[@acmhc8]

@@wheezzy101 bingo!

[@ffll8427]

Why does nobody mention that this camera really profits from fine grain film stock? The main complaints have been the grainyness, many testers used Ultramax which (FOR WHATEVER REASON; PENTAX???) they sent out with the bundle before release. but yeah, it's too grainy on half frame, obviously. This camera really benefits from Portra etc. and the cost of the film is also made more reasonable due to the amount of shots.

[@wheezzy101]

@@ffll8427 Agreed, my first roll in this camera is Portra 160. Planning to through some acros in next.

[@GreenlifeFin]

@@wheezzy101oh wow, noone mentioned this yet. Does it say so in the manual?

[@husshardan3511]

From the Pentax manual - fixed focus in the Auto mode: Full Auto mode The PENTAX 17 features a pan-focus mechanism with a fixed focus point, while the flash unit automatically discharges in poorly illuminated locations. This mode allows for more casual and effortless picture-taking, without worrying about camera operations.

[@thebitterfig9903]

Just finished off a roll of film with mine. It was fun to use, and I'm eager to see the results. I think the 17 is going to be a nice sweet spot between being hands-on enough to feel involved, but automatic enough to keep things casual when I don't feel like going through the steps with medium format or my K1000.

[@TristanColgate]

Half frame fanatic here. My top tip with HF is, if you are using B&W, and get to choose the developer, go for a staining pyro developer. 510 pyro is a good choice, but I've had great results with Obsidian Aqua and Pyrocat HD. The grain masking from staining Devs is a big win in half frame, you can get nice smooth tones from iso400 even at 8x10 (or zoomed right in close)

[@0y0chang0]

Another advantage of the film info holder is you can write down if you pushed or pulled the film so you don't forget when you process it. Also it helps so you don't accidentally open the back when you have only shot a partial roll and ruining the film.

[@whatsvensaw2643]

Really important AUTO Mode has a fixed focus.

[@speedandstyletony]

And can't be used close up. Probably closest focus on auto is 3 ft or so. Manual says not on the flower or spoon/fork ranges!

[@husshardan3511]

THE most important tip. This makes the difference between OOF pics and sharp pics. So weird that almost all the reviewers have missed this.

[@GreenlifeFin]

@@husshardan3511yeah, weird noone talks about it.

[@filmographyera]

@@speedandstyletonyso for fork and flower take it out of auto mode??

[@husshardan3511]

The crescent symbol is not for indoor flash photography, but for slow speed sync. From the manual: 7 Slow-speed sync mode This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera making a flash discharge. This is useful in situations where you want to brightly illuminate a subject in the foreground while retaining the ambience of a nightscape or twilight in the background.

[@WilliamCrespo]

If Pentax comes out with a full frame version then I'll buy it

[@thomaslong1576]

Really good job summing up an array of good tips for this camera.

[@dflf]

I never heard in any review of the camera that you could use the exposure comp dial in any shooting mode. Thanks Good tip

[@classweb]

I really hope Pentax sells a ton of these, however, they should have given it a couple of auto mode options along with manual option. Add the rangefinder focus and it would make both novice and pro users happy.

[@miaoliver7246]

The thought is what makes film photography interesting.

[@chriscunningham1985]

What films have you found yourself leaning to the most with it? I saw on your review you went with Portra 160, then Ektar 100. Normally with my simple K-1000, I would have gone with a consumer level film but then the cost becomes so much better with doubling the frames on the 17 ;) mainly wondering how you have found it with 400 speed, so Portra or Delta 400

[@beeku392]

Curious how bulb mode works on a fully automatic camera like Pentax 17. How does the camera know how long I'll keep the shutter open and how does it calculate the aperture accordingly?

[@kennytai9850]

I'm curious about how Pentax set the camera program. We all knew that: Aperture: F3.5 - F16 Shutter: 4s - 1/350s 1. When set to no flash P mode, when it is in low light, will it limit the shutter at 1/30s and warn you it is insufficient light, or it will go all the way down to 4s? 2. When set to Bokeh mode, using ISO 400 film under sunny day, will it shoot at F3.5 with 1/350s, or it will shoot at F16 with 1/350s? 3. When set to no flash Night mode, will it always prioritize shutter to 4s? or any range?

[@DanielRutter]

Only bought mine today, but my first and only complaint so far is: I wish it would tell me if I'd left the lens cap on BEFORE I take the shot. I must have about 6 exposures already in my roll where I'd forgotten to take the lens cap off... I also wish I could have *just a smidgen* more control... or at least some info in the viewfinder of what shutter/iris/Exposure Comp it's using.. But those features I'd imagine wouldn't be all that affordable to include.

[@antovega2]

it’s called 6-7 cus it’s a 6 by 7 frame.. 17 is 17 becase it’s half frame so.. no 1-7 thanks

[@zfhktz]

How about shutter lag? Do you have any experience with fast moving subjects, or some action shots (e.g. skateboarding)?

[@OMC1109]

I have not used this camera, but what I have read is that the camera first puts the lens in position, depending on the focus area, and then shoots. If you want to avoid this delay you must keep the shutter button at half pressure, so that the lens settles, and then when you press it all will shoot.

[@diazmark50]

what does pan focus/fixed focus on pages 22 and 24 on the manual mean? Does it mean you don't need to use the zone focus while in auto mode?

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

I will add film window in back cover so I can see the film inside. And rear cover leather as well.

[@theaussiewhinger]

That would leak light into the camera and ruin the film inside.

[@elliotmorland5349]

Does the 17 auto focus in auto mode

[@speedandstyletony]

no auto focus on this camera. in this mode the lens is set as fixed focus.

[@toine1915]

A reaction to a video that you made 4 years ago: Photograph for Yourself & Create Meaningful Work I put it here because I hope you will read it. I have a lot of respect for you, my friend. Hello Friend. I know this is a video from 4 years ago so you may not be reading this anymore. But I still want to thank you for this video. It's so true. I have been taking photographs for almost 40 years now and have always taken photos for myself. Develop film and then go into the darkroom to make prints. But when I switched to digital, a lot changed. Over time I started posting my photos. And the more photos I posted, the more I started photographing for likes. I got a lot of them and had 8500 followers on 500px, which was great. Until I found out that I was photographing for 500px and the like and no longer for myself. I've stopped everything and don't post pictures anymore. I go out to take photos that I like. And at the end of the year, I will make a selection and then a book from it. Now I enjoy that wonderful hobby of photography again. Kind regards from the Netherlands, Antoine.

[@whatsvensaw2643]

What the difference between P white and P yellow?

[@thebitterfig9903]

P Yellow uses the flash, P White does not use the flash.

[@whatsvensaw2643]

@@thebitterfig9903 yellow means all time flash?

[@KingJvpes]

@@thebitterfig9903bingo 👆🏼

[@speedandstyletony]

Yellow not only uses but will flash. Yellow P is standard flash and moon is slow sync flash. Slow sync will flash but still have the shutter open after. This would allow for dark backgrounds to show up in the image.

[@TungstenOvergaard]

If you are excited with this, I cannot imagine with the Rollei AF35!

[@bashizzle3737]

My guess is that the Pentax will be way more beloved. Mint is not as established and using Rollei for marketing seems cheap. But it's good that there is competition.

[@NunoxFerreira]

Omg...what i'm suposed to do?? Should i buy one? Should i ask wife first? 😅

[@KingJvpes]

Hahaha your call! 😆

[@ibewjourneyman]

It's called the Pentax 17, not the 1-7 because it's a half frame of 35mm.

[@rdelprin]

KingJvpes, had to make sure you milked this for 10min huh 😂.

[@surferuk35]

Badly thought out, if you shoot in low light and try to use the built-in flash you can't see anything through the viewfinder because the flash-ready light is so bright. Returning mine.

[@theaussiewhinger]

I'm sorry to hear that. But, I've not heard anyone else cite this as an issue. It certainly didn't present a problem for me either.

[@muriaticfpv2328]

Saying Pentax one seven makes no sense. It's not an aspect ratio of 1x7, it's a width of 17.

[@jonahgirson8268]

frist

[@KingJvpes]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@whatsgood001]

I’m interested in it BUT the price man, the freakin priceeeeeeeeeee

[@EM-ve9bh]

Brand new, well made film cameras aren’t going to be inexpensive lol. If we ever get a premium compact again, it’ll be far from cheap.

[@whatsgood001]

@@EM-ve9bh I know I know lol but $500 is still $500. Maybe I don’t want it as much as I think I do. I heard Rollie is working on a film camera as well. It’s just cool to see that companies are taking a risk in film 🎞️

[@paularger2841]

I find this baffling from Pentax. A fixed lens and a wide angle lens at that. Very little flexibility. Not everyone wants to shoot wide or certainly not all the time.

[@jeff5721]

FOUR different close focus modes? No way I trust my eyes to know the difference between 1.6 and 1.8 feet. No thanks, too much guesswork. Unless you want to carry a tape measure everywhere you go, which I don't. Why couldn't they have just installed autofocus?

[@jasrenfro9856]

When you design a product you usually start with a cost target. Auto focus comes with the a whole set of sensors and crap to put in the camera. This camera was not designed to be an autofocus camera for both cost and feature reasons. If you're u want an elite film camera for personal use pick up a Nikon f100. That's what I use and it does all the work for you.

[@BIKE_LLECI]

The wrist strap is the focus distance for the closest focus.

[@charliipresley]

Just holster a yard stick, like a sword.

[@VariTimo]

That’s why there are images for the focus distance. If what you’re shooting is about the same distance as what the images would be, they’re in focus. Also you can use the camera strap to measure macro and table top distances and if you’re really unsure, in auto mode, everything from 1m-infinity is in focus.

[@bashizzle3737]

You don't. Maybe learn how to read. You need to know the difference between 1.6f and 0.85f. that's a big difference and if you can't do that you are lost.

[@GiuseppeNelva]

Tip #11. Get a Pentax K1000 and a nifty fifty for a fraction of the cost instead.

[@cjflv]

Why buy an old K1000 when you can get an F100 for about the same price?

[@juicedrocks]

That's just gay