Canon Demi EE17 Review - A vintage Pentax 17 alternative?

[@eduardoalfredo5484]

A detailed description of the camera and also a masterclass in photography. Thank you very much.

[@garywong3136]

It was my first camera in 1967. Haha, It was a delightfully handling camera with great viewfinder and good auto photo taking capability. I graduated to another half-frame, Olympus Pen FT SLR, that I still have. Nice video with great photos taken.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. 👌🏻

[@ademolaoyeniyi6690]

Great shots. Loved the photos and the quality.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind feedback.

[@digitalrex5]

One of the things I love about film cameras is the way they allow us to interact with history. I can imagine feeling the weight of that history going to Berlin with this camera and thinking about how different of an experience that would have been using this camera when it came out in 1966. And yet the act of shooting it and developing the film is essentially the same.

[@AnalogInsights]

Very true. I always enjoy researching the historical side of a piece of gear as well. It keeps me exploring. :)

[@janjasiewicz9851]

Thanks

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you, Jan. So kind of you.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

The shots look absolutely AMAZING!

[@AnalogInsights]

Glad you like them! Thank you.

[@pavlovicviktor]

Just a few notes, as already mentioned in the comments, 30mm on a half frame is around 43mm on a full frame, not 55mm. This also means, that for the same composition, DOF of a f/1.7 is close to f/2.6 on a full frame. It might be also good to mention a little lever on the lens that can be switched from a dot to a 2x and 4x marks. AFAIK it is for a metering compensation when using filters, but it can also be used for a strong backlight as a +1 or +2 EV (not that is very convenient though). Now, to push the film from ASA 400 to the 800, all you need to do is to use a ND 2 (or ND4 for 1600 ASA), and leave the little lever on the dot. Many cameras of the later era has placed the Cds cell inside the lens ring, so the metering was automatically affected, when the filter was used. In these, pushing the film wasn’t possible, unless the ASA selection allowed manual setting and wider range was possible. I am using a 34mm filter thread, but I think that more common 46mm might also work (not sure about that one). Thanks for the review.

[@inicap]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and have just handed my first film in for processing. After watching your video I am even more excited to see the results.

[@AnalogInsights]

Glad to hear that. I hope your results turn out great.

[@olio_benzina]

Hello and thank you again for an excellent review. I also have a Canon Demi EE17. I saw it for sale in a camera store many years ago and purchased it simply because I thought it was beautiful. Sometime later I used it with FP4 film and the results were similar to yours and a wonderful surprise.

[@AnalogInsights]

This sounds wonderful and quite relatable. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrisdunderdale]

Great video and great work as always

[@yorkieinnz4648]

I have the Canon Demi which has sat on a shelf waiting for the light seals to be replaced for a couple of years.... so thankyou for the video and motivation to get it sorted and put it use.

[@AnalogInsights]

I am glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[@amosk24]

Always done so well. Thanks for sharing!

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you. That’s very kind of you.

[@scottnelle]

I picked up a Demi S and I'm really enjoying it, but the top-mounted light meter is tough. Having a light meter on top doesn't seem like a big deal until you're trying to shoot something head height and you can't see the meter! I might upgrade to the EE17 just for the in-viewfinder light metering! Great review!

[@ernestthomas9406]

Glad you made me aware of this half frame camera, if I were in the market for a half frame I would choose the canon, seems like it is built better. Nice to be made aware of a camera you didn't know existed.

[@CiberDesconexion]

As always, very good video. I wish you could do a review of the Agfa Optima Parat.

[@HelloMammaMya]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago. I paid a little higher price than most listed on eBay but I wanted to make sure the light meter was working and it was tested. I just had my first roll developed and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Super sharp photos. I used 400 ISO film and setup the camera ISO to 200 and it was perfect on a cloudy day.

[@AnalogInsights]

So glad to hear that. Seems like we had a similar experience.

[@Banneoliberalism]

It may not have rangefinder but once u get comfortable of shooting zone focusing and approximate range of subject, this camera is pretty much a perfect for everyday Flim use. The zone focusing of this camera is easier than full frame. It has much one half to double in focusing distance shooting in both sunny, cloudy and shade. Manipulate the shutter speed first then f stop then focusing. Keep it at f 8-16 it will be sharp enough that human eye can’t detect. The challenge come with wide open f stop. First download the LiDAR range take ur time on approximate distance then u r done.

[@marcbusing7535]

Quite a sophisticated design for the sixties

[@AnalogInsights]

True.

[@bitterandsweet9939]

こんにちは。素晴らしいレビューをありがとうございます。私は10数年前に家から程近いカメラ店でDemi EE17を購入しました。日本ではハーフカメラと言えばOLYMPUS PENが多くを占めていますが、Demiのカッコ良さ可愛いフォルムが気に入って購入しました。今回PENTAX17が発売されてどんなものか楽しみでしたが、買わずにDemiを使い続けようと思います。今はiPhoneなどの縦構図写真が普通な時代になったのでハーフカメラの縦構図も違和感ありませんね。

[@johnsomers8269]

Great evaluation of this vintage camera. When will you evaluate a Werramatic?

[@andreazevedo4245]

Hi Analog Insights, thank you for reviewing this wonderful piece of photography technology the the Canon Demi EE17 is, but altough the EE17 is the top tier of Canon Demi cameras, I can tell you that all of the models have their strenght. I own a functional version of every model, and my favourites are the Demi Classic (first one) due to the smaller size, the EE17 (you said it all), the Demi C (its a Demi Classic with 2 lenses, the 28mm f2.8 and a 50mm f2.8 portrait lens), the Demi S (a lower version of the EE17) and the EE28 (I consider this one the weakest link of the lot). I love halfframe cameras, and I have never even felt the urge to try or buy the Pentax17. I mostly use the EE17, the Demi C and the Demi Classic. All of them produce simply magnificently sharp images, once you get the grip of zone focusing (you only get that after shooting a few rolls). It astonishes me that these cameras were designed and made about 60 years ago and can give more modern cameras a run for their money. I urge you to try another version of the Demi's. You will be pleasently surprised. All the best to you and the channel.

[@carltanner9065]

Great camera...own one😊 And, yes, the lens is a good lens. Really sharp and I don't mind the short focus throw. I like the fact that it's compact and looks good, too😊 If you want a half frame camera, I would recommend one, for sure.

[@inahaase889]

Tolles Video, danke fürs zeigen.❤

[@Mrtragg]

I just re-watched the episode where you look at Greg's camera collection. You don't seem to do any videos like this anymore. Perhaps they weren't popular? I'd like to see something on your collection Max or perhaps an in-depth look at Greg's Pentax cameras. It would make a fun change from camera and lens reviews - though I do enjoy these

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind feedback. I have actually one of those Talking Camera episodes in the making/planned. Thank you also for your suggestions.

[@yungrude]

hi! i recently got an ee17 and have been loving it, but have been shooting it fully manually since the light meter is broken. maybe a stupid question, but does the light meter need to be functioning for the shutter priority to work? i have a battery in the camera but don't think the shutter priority is working as it seems to default to 1.7 regardless of lighting conditions. i'm happy using it fully manually as i'm used to sunny 16 but was just wondering. very insightful video, has been super helpful in learning how to use the camera!

[@AnalogInsights]

Not a stupid question at all. Yes, just like you suspect the automatic exposure mode is dependent on the internal meter to work properly. But you can still use the camera in the manual mode and with the sunny 16 rule. Good decision.

[@CMZPICTURES]

I have one of these. It is a lovely little camera, although heavy and probably quite fragile. I started shooting half frame with a powershovel golden half toy camera. Idk if they are still available, but it's kind of like a quarter scale holga.

[@ianroe1076]

I love how small this camera is. It looks almost as small as the Olympus XA, despite being fully mechanical. I'm a tiny bit disappointed by how big the Pentax 17 ended up being, especially for being fully electronic and not having a focus assist mechanism.

[@Invincibleagent]

This would be almost perfect if it just had a rangefinder. When I saw that hole on the front I got my hopes up...

[@PatrickSenf]

Nice photos Max 3:22

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you. That’s very kind of you.

[@Mrtragg]

What is the significance of the 'Seiko' engraving on the lens? Is this the same Seiko that manufactures watches?

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, indeed. This is the very same Seiko, the vertically integrated watch manufacturer.

[@Mrtragg]

@@AnalogInsights So what is the connection between Canon and Seiko?

[@AnalogInsights]

@@MrtraggSeiko produced the shutters and Canon integrated them into their camera. In a similar fashion to all the Compur shutters which were used across multiple camera manufacturers. Seiko produced shutters for various Japanese camera manufacturers, not just Canon.

[@Mrtragg]

Thanks! I didn't know that. I have a couple of 1950s Seiko watches

[@dundeedideley1773]

Hello AI, Please please start recording your voice over somewhere where you have less reverb. Your video material is top notch and I think you would really elevate your quality by getting cleaner sound on your voiceover. You have such a soothing voice too. Maybe a lavalier microphone (clipped onto your collar) would already improve the sound by a lot

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind feedback and taking the time to write it. I am currently using a lav mic that is rarely visible but the room in which I am recording is relatively large. This might create the reverb. I will look into finding a better way to record the audio. Really appreciate your feedback.

[@MurphSchnitzel]

You mentioned Japanese sellers multiple times in your video. Could you share your experiences with them? Are these sellers on eBay? What should one consider when buying a camera from Japan and having it shipped to Germany?

[@AnalogInsights]

Sure. Yes, I am referring to eBay. I would suggest looking at reviews and taking a look at the physical store via google maps. You only need to consider shipping costs (often for free) and import taxes. Otherwise there is no issue.

[@sebvz89]

this one or the olympus pen?

[@AnalogInsights]

The original Pen? This one is much more advanced in comparison.

[@boetschge]

Absolut unterbewertet und unbekannte Kamera. Ich benutze sie seit fünf Jahren, hab eine neue Belederung in Rot angebracht und die sieht einfach sexy aus! Und bei den Filmpreisen heutzutage, hey, 72 Bilder! Toller Apparat, einfach nur zu empfehlen! Beste Grüße, Marc

[@alexford6912]

Not sure the 35mm focal length comparison is correct. 30mm focal length in half frame equates to around 43mm focal length in full frame.

[@amosk24]

You must be thinking of a 1.5x crop factor, but half frame cross factor here is 2x, so 60mm equivalent

[@pavlovicviktor]

@@amosk24 Nope, #alexford is right, focal length ratio is calculated over diagonal and it is indeed close to 1.45. 30mm on a Half Frame is approx. 43,3mm on a full frame.

[@jw48335]

Dang that's sharp! I own a PenF, and with adapted OM glass, it captures at least 12mpx when camera scanning. This looks every bit as sharp as that.

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, I was really surprised about the great quality.

[@jw48335]

@AnalogInsights Unrelated - three relatively unknown manual focus cameras *with* focus confirmation you may find interesting - the Minolta X-600, the Pentax ME-F, and the Canon AL-1. The ME-F in particular is my pick with my poor eyesight. Most assume the AF lens is required for focus confirmation, but it works with any lens 😁 Other interesting half cameras - the Rollei 3000ED, the Konica FT-1 Pro Half, Konica Autorex switchable, the Yashica 14 Half, and the Robot Royal 24. Thank you for the excellent work!

[@antraxuran9]

try agat 18k:)

[@lensman5762]

Looking at the results on my small screen, I am amazed at the fesults. This is the camera that Ricoh should have produced and not that piece of plastic that they did. Great photography and review.

[@rambunctioussoul]

Lol, Pentax 17 has magnesium alloy top and bottom and much superior inner mechanisms and lenses And the image quality just puts this canon to shame, the canon demi images are washed out and lack contrast and nowhere as good as Pentax 17

[@AnalogInsights]

As pointed out in the original Pentax 17 review, the Pentax is fantastic and delivers along many important criteria. And yet, it is interesting to compare it (allowing for nuances) with such a significantly older camera.

[@lensman5762]

@@rambunctioussoul Top and bottom are made of metal, anything else is made of plastic. The Pentax 17 does not have lenses, but a fixed 25mm F3.5 three element in three groups lens based most probably on the Cook Triplet design of the 1800s. In fact this lens is exactly the same lens Pentax used on their cheap point ans shoot Episo Mini of the 1990s. I suggest that you adjust your monitor for conrast, you seem to be imagining things!!!! Pentax 17 is just a point and shoot camera at an asking price of nearly £500.00. You can get one of these Canons in tip top condition from the usual auction site for less than £120.00 in mint condition. Thanks for your input.

[@tanfilmphotography7066]

Tôi đang dùng, Olympus pen fv Pentax 17 quá đắt

[@rambunctioussoul]

Thanks for the video. The images esp. the color images from this Canon Demi 17 look washed out with poor saturation and sharpness and overall look poor quality. It is comparable to disposable cameras and nowhere close to Olympus pen or Pentax 17

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. The effect you are describing is largely related to the chosen color film stocks, not to the camera‘s lens.

[@campyonlyguy]

I've had both (still have the Demi EE17; sold the Pentax 17) and I prefer the Canon. Takes great photos and lacks some of the details I didn't like on the Pentax 17 (such as the fiddly mode knob that is too easy to rotate). Also much less expensive!

[@AnalogInsights]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@rambunctioussoul]

I think you are lying, nobody would buy a used Pentax 17 sonsoon, I doubt you actually bought and sold a Pentax 17 Probably a canon fanboy.

[@mallikarjunpasunkili5206]

Like all vintage canons, this is one more overrated camera with abysmal image quality compared to Olympus half frame cameras. Just comparing your photos from Pentax17 video with this video, it is safe to say it is nowhere close to it. I started my analog journey by adapting FL/FD lenses as my video friends suggested and I already had a Canon 5d mark 2 But Canon FD/FL lenses were pathetic with poor light transmission, CA and overall too soft and were a joke compared to the Pentax, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus alternatives. Then I switched to Pentax lenses which work stellar on both film and mirrorless bodies.

[@randallstewart1224]

It is hard to ignore that the EE17 is a far superior camera to the Pentax 17 by any measure you might adopt: lens and imaging quality; features, and flexibility for the user. Perhaps Pentax/Ricoh should have just copies the EE17 with an updated auto exposure system using modern components off the shelf.

[@MatSepahi]

Compared to most of the vintage half-frame cameras, Pentax 17 is a scam. Why should I pay 3-4 times more money than a Canon Demi, just to get an inaccurate auto focus and lose the whole manual features?