PENTAX 17: half frame, half cost - double fun?

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It's here: The Pentax 17, the brand new film camera brought out in 2024. I was one of the lucky people to receive this camera before the official release and in this video I will share my honest opinion on the camera.
Once again: Thank you Pentax for sending me the camera to play with it beforehand! ‪@pentax.film.photography‬
And: Thank you to urbanfilmlab (urbanfilmlab.com and IG: / urbanfilmlab ) for the super super fast development and scans of my C41 rolls!
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[@teocrawford]

Lovely video Karin! I agree, I mainly love the move by Pentax. I also don’t see eye to eye with a couple of their choices but the fact they pulled this off alone is so cool and I really hope it’s a success so that it can fund a future SLR maybe😏

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much Teo! :) I couldn't agree more, I also think it's the re-entry into film and if all things go right more things might come in the future. Looking forward to seeing your results with the camera ☺️

[@robstammers7149]

This camera is worth every cent being asked for it, it's a new beginning, digital has become sort of boring and way out too expensive. The Pentax 17 is going to be a big seller, let's stop being too critical. I too use a variety of 'old' 35mm film cameras, mainly Canon, but these won't last forever. I have a feeling Pentax may have something else up their sleeve. Exciting times ahead at last, ❤

[@stephenrichard9278]

One would spend $549 on theirs first prime lens for their $1200 mirrorless camera!

[@FloWatchesYT]

@@robstammers7149 agreed. I’ve put 16 rolls through it - everything for Ilford hp5 b&w, Kodak gold 200, 400 and Kodak Porta. Love this camera more than my three digital mirrorless (although they have their place) - it’s just fun, and I want to get out and shoot and give not a rats arse about 1000 technical considerations to get the perfect shot. Plus, getting negs back is like Christmas.

[@FloWatchesYT]

Incidentally, that’s having owned it for only 3 weeks. Is it perfect, no way. Does it have frustrating design decisions that cause unforced errors, yup. Is it light as a feather and causes no second guess whether to bring it along wherever you go? Duh

[@FloWatchesYT]

@@stephenrichard9278 and they’d still probably make a mistake choosing the right lens

[@dr.seltsam1975]

Schön das Du wieder da bist ☺️ ✌🏻

[@KarinMajoka]

Finde ich auch, danke dir! :)

[@stephenlumsden280]

Good point about the niche group. I have 2 rangefinders with lenses, a praktica SLR , 3 TLRs, but may take this up for a pocket carry around camera, where I do not need a separate light meter and can take as many photos as I want

[@peterarens9614]

Es ist ein spannendes Experiment. Ich wünsche Pentax viel Erfolg. Mögen genügend junge Menschen auf den Zug springen und sich die Kamera leisten können. Das Design ist Geschmacksache, ich finde es gar nicht so schlecht. Die Frage ist jedoch, warum entscheiden sich die meisten für die analoge Fotografie? Für mich war es die Herausforderung Fotografie wirklich neu intensiv lernen zu müssen. Dafür nimmt die Pentax 17 schon zu viele Entscheidungen (Einstellungen) ab. Man bekommt auch für den Preis sehr Hochwertige analoge Kameras mit tollen Objektiven und kann ein größeren kreativen Bereich abdecken. Ich habe für meine Nikon FE + 50mm ais, 24mm ais und 28mm ai 550€ bezahlt in spitzen Zustand. Letztendlich ist es egal welche Kamera man hat, der hinter der Kamera macht das Foto. Oje ich schreib wieder viel zu viel. Danke für dein Review. 😂

[@RoubenDickranian-e5d]

I just subscribed to your channel. I find your material informative and constructive. This Pentax 17 is a risk for them, but I reckon it will pay off in the end. I agree this is targeting the younger generation. Although, there again I would buy one if I was starting out. I have used my friends Pentax 17 and it feels pretty sturdy and well built in my humble opinion. I suspect the next (hopefully there is another Pentax film camera) it will have the option to do half and full frame. This way it would broaden the horizon for more users. When using it I just found it not being fully manual, as you said in your video rather disappointing. But all in all I feel the price is right. Right because so much cost and thought went in to the designing of this unique camera. Keep the good work going. Loving your channel thank you. Rouben

[@StuartWeir]

That intro was so great haha

[@KarinMajoka]

Haha, thank you!

[@thorstenjaspert9394]

The price isn't si nice. But I'm happy that a half frame camera comes out with good autimatics, and half automatic. It makes possible to shoot in a godd quality with minimum risc of false expurse. But having the double number if frames is often much to much. How long will you wate to develop? For half frame cameras it would be nice to have shorter films like 12 pictures in fulframe. But shouting 72 frames on a 36 frame film is nice for a holiday with friends or family or party. Shouting crazy happy people.

[@Manoloelgomo]

OMG, I'm so glad you got to test this camera!

[@KarinMajoka]

Me too! Thank you so much :)

[@Purple_Hayes]

the price is definitely weird. I kinda expected this be a higher end, $250, kodak h35. I definitely think it could be fun to play with. I'm a newer photographer that wants to get into film, but idk if I can justify that price when there's a million used film cameras out there that are just as good for maybe $100. It feel like they should have gone super high end or budget to start and then introduced this middle ground option later to round out the lineup

[@endsommer]

Hmm, du kannst dir 10 Pentax 17 kaufen oder eine Leica M6 - und da fehlt noch das Objektiv ;-)

[@buskman3286]

That old Pentax MX is a far better camera (and less expensive) than this "new" film camera that produces a negative that is less than HALF the size of a 35mm negative. Makes no sense at all - pay more to get MUCH less in terms of a photographic experience/result. Buy an old MX (or any other major brand 35mm film camera of that era). You'll spend less money, get superior image quality and if you decide film is not for you, you'll be able to resell it for what you paid for it.

[@KarinMajoka]

The Pentax MX and the Pentax 17 are totally different cameras and very hard to compare in my opinion. I understand the price point (and view it critically myself in the video) and that is a very fair perspective to have. I just think it's an unfair comparison since the Pentax 17 is a factory new camera with new parts and thus of course more expensive than an old, used camera from the second hand market. And having access to new film cameras is really important if you ask me :)

[@ssadonnelly]

Looking at your review and Grainydays one ッ they were not so happy about the zone focusing LOL LOL “ zone focusing is kind of more of the experienced street photographers who unapologetic shove the camera in peoples faces and hope they get something in focus with a camera in one hand and a coffee and cigarette in the other “ On a serious note I have a feeling there will be a lot of initial interest in this then sales will die rapidly. Young peoples environmental awareness these days once they think about the chemicals involved in the manufacturing and processing of film, transport etc . I think this is very niche

[@c.f.7493]

Ich habe bei dem Teil irgendwie YASHICA MF-2 SUPER DX vibes - und das ist nicht gut.

[@akirsch76]

I hope this camera will succeed for Pentax and the film community, but I'm out for this price. Strange if you hear that from a Leica photographer ;-). But I still need a full manual option, and this rudimentary focus mechanism is not for me.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! These are totally valid points and I am with you :) I still hope Pentax will succeed and the camera will find its niche

[@anta40]

For me, $500 isn't exactly cheap. And as a slow, moody shooters, a 120 roll (typically 12 frames) may need a year to finish, let alone 72 frames. Yes I know, I'm not among their audiences :D Anyway, after seeing other reviews, I think the images are nice. Hopefully more younger folks are attracted into film photography, and Pentax get sufficient buyers so they can fund their next film camera project :)

[@KarinMajoka]

Word, I could not agree more to your conclusion! And yes, 72 shots are really hard to finish but on the other hand the camera makes you a bit more snappy and trigger happy too :)

[@lelandfitz1762]

Schade, dass ich selbst bei dm Probleme hab, Halbformat-Abzüge zu kriegen. Der Kundenservice sagt, sie machen das, das Labor schickt die Negative immer zurück. Weiß nicht, wies bei anderen Drogerien (alle Cewe Labor?) aussieht, aber schlecht für so eine Kamera. Genauso schade wie Lomographys neue 110mm Kamera, wo man den Film auch nach Wien schicken muss.

[@KarinMajoka]

Da ich selber nicht bei DM entwickle hab ich hierzu leider keine Erfahrung. Aber echt schade, dass sie es nicht (oder zumindest nicht zuverlässig) machen. Am zuverlässigsten ist es deshalb vermutlich selber zu entwickeln und zu scannen. Ich hatte meine C41 bei Urbanfilmlab abgegeben und er hat echt super Arbeit gemacht mit dem Halbformat :)

[@lelandfitz1762]

@@KarinMajoka Danke für den Tipp mit dem Labor, das kannte ich noch nicht. Selber entwickeln ist auf jeden Fall mein Ziel, aktuell bin ich aber nur bei 10-12 Rollen pro Jahr und dafür wars mir immer zu aufwendig ;)

[@adeoguntolasolanke-oguntol5108]

€599.00 film camera? Hmmm!

[@irresponsiblepictures7451]

Half cost? The camera is 500 dollars.

[@MinoltaCamera]

Do you know how much a K1000 cost when it was launched? $1000 adjusted to inflation. This is half the price.

[@Thorpal]

Yeah, but that's a 35mm camera not half frame - like saying APS-C vs Full Frame - so it's "logical", it must be cheaper. And the K1000 will grow and scale with you in your photographic journey. It's still, 12 years after I got mine for 30€, my most use slr with the Pentax 6x7. Not sure the P17 will...

[@kristoffergo6294]

Not just that it's a fullframe, it is also an interchangeable lens camera. Not comparable at all.

[@KarinMajoka]

I agree that it's hard to compare

[@nicklopro]

Hey a fellow #reeldawgie !!! Love your take on the pentax. I just posted a critical scathing review of the 17. I'm worried BIG FILM is going to come after me for bashing their new promised child. I think they stole my aerochrome 8x10 sheets and next they'll go after my minox subminiature film. Soon I'll be left shooting nothing but ilford Xp2 =(

[@ManyDoors777]

I think its a proper half-frame camera, but unfortunately what a lot of new comers to film won't know about half-frame is that costs almost twice as much to have it developed and scanned by a lab, as it would regular 35mm. I hope Pentax tries again, this time with a regular 35mm camera. Pretty cool, though!

[@BerndtOtto]

Schon schick aber viiiiiiiiel zu teuer. Für die Hälfte hätte ich sie genommen.

[@KarinMajoka]

Das verstehe ich! Wenn ich sie nicht zugesendet bekommen hätte, hätte ich wirklich bei dem Preis auch nochmal aushandeln müssen, ob ich sie kaufen kann, wenngleich ich Pentax gerne unterstützen möchte

[@brugj03]

Half quality, double the costs for film development and prints. And it takes ages before you can change film iso.

[@highlander200107]

From my understanding, it is just the beginning, however, the next step depends on the success of this one, which is why I am choosing to purchase one.

[@Dirtweed]

Seems to be very well received. I am waiting for B&H to let me know when it is in stock.

[@davidwoods80]

I'm thrilled to see that you released this video the same day all the 'big' channels are fawning over the new Nikon. To me, this camera is more important to the camera industry than the release of another overly complex mirrorless -- I mean, its a NEW FILM CAMERA, and I'm pleased to see it's more sophisticated than the full-auto point-and-shootI was expecting. The half-frame decision was a brilliant move on the part of Pentax, and I can also see a definite niche for it in a camera shop, siting between cheesy instant cameras and low-end digitals.

[@KarinMajoka]

I am totally with you, I also think it's a very important camera for the future of film, so I am super excited it's out now and people actually react to it. And yes, I also think half frame was a clever move since it's intuitive for younger photographers yet a fun challenge for photographers who are more used to landscape orientation viewfinders.

[@wibbley1]

Yep, it is a shame much of the press coverage will be on the nikon, rather than a new film camera. I Don't like the battery cover on the Pentax. I can see that screw working loose & loosing both the cover & the screw. They both should have been captive. Second thing is the price. Way too expensive. It will sure limit the market. Good automatic point & shoot can be purchased for under £10 on ebay. It is also rathe complex, with some features working in some modes & not in others, the little LEDs, which one has to remember what they are saying. The zone focusing will likely be forgotten by many when taking a photo.

[@Uwe_Ludolf]

Depends on your bubble, I have no clue which Nikon you are talking about 😉

[@williamlasl]

@@Uwe_LudolfExactly. On my feed there are over half a dozen influencers pushing out a video on this camera on the same day. 😁

[@Uwe_Ludolf]

@@williamlasl Time to clean up maybe 😜

[@tammytrashbags]

it's not a camera designed for me (I'd rly like SLR or rangefinder focussing for accuracy!!) but it's very very cool and I feel practically duty bound to buy it lmao

[@KarinMajoka]

I am with you on that, I would have also preferred something like a rangefinder. But nonetheless a really cool camera for casual documentation that I enjoyed way way more than I expected :)

[@DirtyPlumbus]

Being manual wind, can you do double exposures?

[@tedphillips2951]

I like it. I think it opens up a whole new way for creativity!

[@KarinMajoka]

That sums it up nicely!

[@rogerb5615]

... If you like 3 ft - to - infinity depth of focus in EVERY shot, yeah, maybe. Not much creative control when you're stuck with a fixed 25mm lens.

[@djpikul]

Eine interessante Kamera, welche ich mir sofort kaufen würde, wenn der Preis nicht wäre ;) Für mein Empfinden ist die Kamera ca. 200€ zu teuer. Sehe das ähnlich: Gen Z kann sich die Kamera vermutlich nicht leisten und die Leute, welche bereits im Thema drin stecken, wollen sich die Kamera nicht leisten, weil das Preis/Leistungsverhältnis schwierig ist. Die kommende Rollei 35AF finde ich deutlich interessanter. Eine Kamera welche wirklich fehlt, ist eine Premium Kleinbild Kamera, wie die Voigtländer Bessa Serie, also eine neue Leica ohne Leica Preis. Die hatten echt ein schlechtes Timing mit der Produktionseinstellung der R3M & R4M.

[@blende5.693]

Nice review, but this is not my camera, I will wait for the new Rollei 35 af.

[@NON-tf7ik]

Ich finds super das endlich ein Hersteller eine neue analoge Kamera herausbringt. Wow fünfhundertfünzig Euro sind auf den ersten Blick viel Geld für diese Kamera. Zu teuer? Warum meckert Ihr? Eure Schränke sind voll mit billigst erworben Profi Ausrüstungen. Die letzen neuen analogen Kameras wurden vor Dreißig Jahren entwickelt. Sagt mir wo die Zuliefer für die Feinmechanischen Bauteile geblieben sind. Das Pentax 17 Team hat großartiges geleistes. Bis auf ein paar Elektronik musste wahrscheinlich fast jedes Bauteil neu konstruiert und gefertigt werden. Kann man Filmführungen kaufen? Wer liefert Filmandruckplatten? Wie sieht es mit der Filmaufwickelspule aus? Wo bekommt man die Verriegelung für die Rückwand? Diese Liste könnte ich noch lange fortsetzen. Selbst wenn es die Zulieferfirmen für solche Teil noch gibt, analoge Teile fertigen sie vielleicht als Sonderanfertigung zu den entsprechenden Preisen. Am Ende muss sich solch ein Projekt tragen. Bitte bedenkt eure tollen analogen Kameras sind alt und werden nicht mehr ewig funktionieren. Ihr habt dann nur noch die Lomo Toycam, die wirklich zu teuer sind. Pentax hat uns allen einen großen Dienst erwiesen und die sollten wir nicht nur durch Likes, sondern durch Kaufentscheidungen honorieren. Ich freu mich schon auf meine.

[@DaveEtchells]

Great review, thanks! I'm SO happy to see this hitting the market! I've been following the project closely since the beginning (see interviews by me on PetaPixel and DP Review). I'm an old-school photo guy, never used a camera without full manual control, but immediately put in an order for the Pentax 17, and haven't been this excited about a new camera announcement for the last 20 years. I think it's going to be *fun* to shoot with, am looking forward to taking it on an upcoming trip to Japan. (FWIW, I think they're going to sell tons of them, despite the price. Obviously not all of them, but I think a lot of the Gen-Z target market will find the reliability and warranty well worth it.)

[@andreschulze988]

Die Kamera ist der Hammer - Preis ist gerechtfertigt allein was die Entwicklung kostet und mal ehrlich eine neue echte vernünftige Kamera in 2024 -Hammer

[@mibnsharpals]

aber ehrlich , da hol ich mir lieber eine eine klassische und lasse sie ( ev. ) überholen.

[@gclip9883]

Auch wenn der Preis prinzipiell gerechtfertigt ist, sind 550€ schon nicht wenig im Vergleich zu älteren Filmkameras. Für 150€ kann man durchaus schon eine Kamera plus Objektiv bekommen. Man hätte also 400€ gespart. Nehmen wir für eine Rolle Film plus Entwicklung einen Preis von 18€, dann ist der break-even-point bei 950€ oder 1600 Bildern. Erst dann wäre die Fotographie mit der Pentax 17 günstiger. Klar, man könnte sich auch eine teurere Kamera holen, dann käme dieser Punkt schon früher. Aber für die Zielgruppe, also Hobbyisten die nur ab und zu Fotos machen, erscheint mir das nicht gerade ökonomisch. Trotzdem finde ich es super, dass wieder neue Analog-Kameras hergestellt werden. (Wir brauchen unbedingt eine neue XPAN) EDIT: Gerade ist mir aufgefallen, wie teuer inzwischen manche Farbfilme sind. Man könnte den Preis also locker doppeln. Dann wäre man entsprechend schon bei 800 Bildern auf dem gleichen Level. Allerdings sind das immer noch eine ganze Menge Fotos.

[@andreschulze988]

@@gclip9883 darum geht es nicht habe selbst über Rollei, Leica knapp 50 Kameras - aber neu ist neu. Es geht auch darum es war die letzte Möglichkeit Wissen weiterzugeben wie Pentax erklärte. Die Entwicklung im Bereich Belichtung ging ja weiter und alte CDS Teile fangen langsam an zu altern und die Elektronik der 1980 - 1990er wird nicht ewig halten. Kenne genug junge Menschen die erst nach der 5 Kamera ein funktionierendes Modell erwischen.

[@andreschulze988]

@@gclip9883 eine XPAn würde heute wie eine Leica M6 liegen ... und da kommt doch schon das Geheule es kostet Geld.

[@andreschulze988]

@@mibnsharpals kostet auch Geld lass mal eine Leica überholen + Objektive.

[@JustHannahF]

I expected the 17 to be not exactly cheap, but my expectation was more in the 300€ region. Which would have seen me very probably ordering one sometime later this year. 550 is that factor 2 that just is too much though. If I want to spend that kind of money I'll get a Mint Instaflex.

[@NoWay-zt1dc]

Its huge, but you cant change lenses It has manual focus, but you cant control shutter or aperture Its made out of plastic, but costs over 500€?! Who is this for? I like the half frame idea, but this is a gimmick designed for beginners, priced for enthusiasts. If it was a small, high quality point and shoot in half frame, it would make it a really good "take it with you and make memories" camera. If there were no used film cameras on the market, they might be able to get away with this, but 500 € will get you A LOT..

[@antnguyen]

"It's time." LOL I'm glad that it's finally time.

[@KarinMajoka]

Hahhaha gotcha 😂

[@jackthompson8377]

72 exposures encourages you to takes a lot of poor quality photos. Even a roll of 36 is hard to finish. I like my old TLR which takes 12 ( with a huge negative)

[@pennysteam]

Nice review, I agree the price point is wrong, should be 299 to 350 tops.

[@999.9finegold]

I don't know if this concept is used today, but this color is not called aluminum or titanium. It's called champagne

[@PhilKnall]

It's here! So great to finally see it. I kinda love that clunky design.

[@PhilKnall]

I really want to try it out now, but I'm scared of how long it will take me to finish the rolls 😅

[@KarinMajoka]

Me too actually! I liked the design more than I initially thought. And yes, the rolls will live in the camera for quite a while haha

[@andykphoto]

I think this is an interesting little camera, even if it is not something I can see fitting into my selection of cameras. I think I have too much of a control issue to use it happily… then again, I bought and sold a canonet 12 years ago and now I bought one again so… who knows what the future holds? 🤷‍♂️😸👍

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Same here, I am a control freak and like setting everything up manually - nonetheless, the camera was/is a welcome breath of fresh air

[@igeisendoerfer]

Interesting camera, I see where they are coming from, but agree the price is off. Thanks for the great introduction.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate it :)

[@matthiassteck4009]

Ich hätte ja von einer neuen Pentax 67 geträumt, wenn man sich die Gebrauchtpreise in dem System ansieht, müsste es doch Nachfrage geben. Aber wahrscheinlich viel zu wenig, dass es sich für Pentax gelohnt hätte, ich hab da wahrscheinlich einen völlig verzerrten Nerd-Blick... Mit der Pentax 17 kann ich persönlich gar nichts anfangen. Das liegt aber an meiner Art zu fotografieren. Als gebrannten Kind von vielen defekten Minolta AF-Bodies habe ich auch die Befürchtung, dass diese doch sehr elektronische Kamera nicht lange halten wird und eine gut gepflegte PEN-F in 20 Jahren noch funktioniert, nicht aber die Pentax 17. Und warum man eine elektronische Fokussierung einbaut, aber keinen AF, verstehe ich nicht. Außer man will später ein (noch teureres) AF-Modell nachschieben. Ich weiß auch nicht, ob man für junge Film-Einsteiger eine Kamera so "vereinfachen" (?) muss. Die beste Freundin meiner großen Tochter, ein 14-jähriges Teenie-Mädel hat die Canon EF (aus den 1970iger Jahren) ihres Opas ausgegraben und sich reingefuchst, obwohl das eine wirklich nicht einsteiger-freundliche Kamera ist. Die Bedienung der schönen alten Technik dürfte für viele doch auch zum Reiz der Filmfotografie beitragen. Und das sehe ich bei der Plastik-Pentax halt gar nicht. Trotzdem ist eine Film-Kamera eines größeren Herstellers, der nicht Leica ist, eine spannende Sache und für Street-Fotografie dürfte das Ding klasse sein.

[@alexcarrillo5510]

It is a Nice Camera, bu I still love my 1968 Olympus Pen, and my 1983 Konica AF-35 model, as even I am glad that Pentax/Ricoh brought back a film model, along with the Rollei 35AF (Coming Soon) as I hope that Canon, and Nikon will think twice in making compact Film Cameras again like the Nikon 28Ti and the 35Ti, and the Canon QL-III again....

[@michaelcase8574]

$550? Cheaper than the Spotmatic figuring in inflation .

[@FloWatchesYT]

I just found your channel after picking up a Pentax 17. So glad - love your relaxed and presentational style! Thanks for making this content. 😊

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for watching, I appreciate it! :)

[@thomasa.243]

It appears to me that Pentax has designed this camera to be „modular“. This is also why it is that big. Moving to a full frame point and shoot or even to an SLR could be done with a lot of reused parts. The price, tjoa, well. But then again, the Rollei 35 was around USD 1200 if you would buy it now, a roll of film would be around USD 30 and development around the same. So even at todays prices, film is not that expensive 😅

[@13squier]

Good news is the new Rollei 35AF will hit the streets in September at $800

[@robmule6587]

Great video. They are making a new build of the Rollei 35af, hopefully you’ll be able to shoot that soon

[@Nick_r]

I have an Olympus Pen FT half frame camera and it cost a similar amount of money used. For you that might be a better option as it has interchangeable lenses, fully manual aperture and shutter speed. I do understand the target market for the Pentax but it seems rather expensive though.

[@KarinMajoka]

I have been thinking about getting a half frame camera for a while now and I have actually looked at the Pen a view times haha. Since I have the Pentax 17 now I will get more familiar with the half frame format. I will give this camera a more long term trial and see how much I can get adjusted to the auto modes - but maaaaybe in the future I might return to glancing at the Pen FT haha

[@Nick_r]

@@KarinMajoka For a carry round quick shooter I’m sure the Pentax is fine, if a bit on the large side for a pocket. See how it goes but suspect you may get frustrated with it. Also the Pen F/FT won’t depreciate now, so you can at least get your money back if you decide to sell 😉 I suspect the Pentax will lose 50% pretty quickly.

[@rumrill5020]

Pen FTs are great, but I’ve had a hard time finding relatively inexpensive copies without issues.

[@cjflv]

A pen FT with a 25mm F4 that actually works like new is going to run at least $400. Most of them are going to have problems and need servicing, so add another $100.

[@Nick_r]

@@cjflv Very true, so works out much the same price as the Pentax and could gain value over time rather than depreciate. I think the Pen range have hit the lowest and are very much gaining value. My black working condition FT is now worth a lot more than I paid a few years ago.

[@onocoffee]

"Leica M6? Nah, too boring."

[@Thorpal]

At 300€ max, yeah why not but not a priority. At 550€ I'd rather by an Olympus pen and spend the rest of the money to by and process film. But I'm glad Pentax is doing that move, it's their style and place in the photo industry to do what other manufacturers would never try. And I'm amazed to see they are still alive...

[@KarinMajoka]

Very valid perspective, thank you for sharing your thoughts :)

[@petercooper9054]

I nearly dropped my coffee when you said the price. I agree with the comment on the Olympus pen. I have a few and love them. I'm lucky enough to be able to service cameras and boy do they need a service after so long. I understand that Pentax had to start somewhere to get the ball rolling but for that price and being an experienced photographer I could get into medium format. I'm servicing many Kodak retinas folding cameras which when working correctly are an amazing camera. Shoot me a message if anyone is interested in a properly serviced camera. I have leotax. Nicca type 5 with new shutter curtains. Voightlander Vito's many models of Kodak retinas and retinettes, Zeiss ikon l. Mamiya 6 etc

[@DaveEtchells]

The big factor, especially for the film newbies this is aimed at is that it's brand new, trouble free and has up to a 3 year warranty. (At least here in the US; you get the extended warranty by buying a kit that comes with two rolls of film, coupons for free processing them and the warranty. Subtracting the value of the film and processing, it works out to about $45 for the 2 additional years of warranty.)

[@petercooper9054]

@@DaveEtchells that's good that's it's 3 years..most young people would have no idea how to CLA a camera. I was one of them.swopping a shoe box with two cameras inside and in pieces because I could not put them back together. My tutor at college gave me a box of photographic paper for them!! Now I'm older I can do the repairs and service so for the young people getting into photography it's a win win situation for them.

[@raceface_m2579]

$500 price tag and plastic? Whaaaaaa

[@buyaport]

Having shot my first film with this camera today I was not disappointed. Of course it is a bit minimalistic but not having a rangefinder or autofocus means there are fewer things to go wrong. The alternative on the market is the Lomo LC-Wide with a 17 mm lens (with worse image quality, no flash, and not much cheaper)., I like the 25mm focal length more than the wider 17mm. So this is definitely an improvement in this range.-- And there is also a manual on their website! Page 11 tells you to use the smaller frame in the viewfinder for "food" and "flower" settings...

[@piketubeman]

I think this camera is ultimately really let down by style pf focus they decided on. If it was a range finder or even auto focus i would consider buying it. But ive had cameras that are "Guess-focus" and I just hated them. Apart from that, i really do like this camera, this camera is like my Fuji X100 except actually film 🤷

[@rogerb5615]

"Half cost"? Compared to what, when Nikon F2s are available, with either the f2.0 or f1.4 Nikkor lens, on eBay, for under $250? Film cost is a ppurchase factor, but not THE factor.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Not for me, but i hope it's successful. Im excited about the new announcement of the fuji instax wide camera being announced Tuesday.

[@KarinMajoka]

Totally fair, not every camera is for everybody! Oh, I have not heard about it before, will check out the news. Thanks!

[@shervinsardari]

Thank you for your review! I'm excited about this camera, but a little disappointed with the final product. The camera feels plasticy and not very reliable, I don't like the zone focusing and I'm also not happy about the lack of manual exposure control. The maximum shutter speed of 1/350s is also too slow for sunny days. I'm glad that Pentax is back in the film camera business, but it's alarming that Pentax (and most likely other companies) seem to have lost the knowledge of the last 50 years of film camera manufacturing. From a technical point of view, this camera is more or less at the level of the 1970s. In terms of repairability, I doubt that this camera will be easier or cheaper to repair than a Pen F - especially in the long run. For all these reasons, it's a pass for me. However, I'm still excited and optimistic about what Pentax will come up with next!

[@TheFribos]

Your intro gave me goose bumps! Alltough i already knwew about the Pentax17. Im still in doubt. Buying it or not. I probably will buy it because it is such a relevant move by Ricoh for the entire filmcommunity. The more people shooting film, the better the filmprices will be (i hope). Thanks for your review!

[@williamlasl]

Glad to see the focus scale has actual distances on the bottom instead of just mysterious hieroglyphics on top. 😅 Although with no way of controlling or knowing the aperture and hence depth of field, it’ll be a somewhat mysterious zone focusing experience as well.

[@Francois_L_7933]

To me, the big question remains: How well does it work with glasses? I know this is going to sound trivial, but when you've scratched plenty of lenses on the rear eyepiece (Here's looking at you FED) or have a viewfinder that's so small you have to move your head around to get to see what's actually in front of the camera, it takes a lot of fun out of the equation.

[@KarinMajoka]

I totally get this question since I know the problem myself. To be honest, I did not have any problems with my glasses on this one. The viewfinder is pretty big and bright for what it is and the material did not seem to make any problems with scratches

[@ykhm9778]

I see Nikon and Canon CEOs looking into the mirrors and seeing donkeys :) Thinking: “why that ware not us to lunch similar project?” Well done Pentax !!

[@sophietucker1255]

When Pentax started this they admitted that they didn't have any people in the company that had been there in the film camera days. They were very much starting from scratch and having to reinvent the wheel. This wasn't so much a technology demonstrator as a can we even do this again demonstrator. They had announced at the start of this that the first camera they built would be a simple almost point and shoot type of camera and if they could do this and if it sold enough units then they'd work on a more advanced camera that most of us old film folks are really interested in. Will I buy one? I'm not sure right now but I do hope that they do well. We need new film cameras from companies like Pentax, Nikon and Canon. Oh I know that Leica has never really stopped making film cameras but we want affordable decent cameras not some boutique type overly expensive status symbol

[@JamieMPhoto]

You got to test it!! Amazing!!

[@KarinMajoka]

It was a bit of a tight schedule but I am happy it worked out :)

[@JamieMPhoto]

I have to say I am impressed overall, though very concerned about my ability to guess the distances. I feel like this is a skeleton of a full SLR, too (which would explain the size). I'm fairly certain I would buy it if I could create the budget for it ... but also I feel like the Mint camera fits my use case a bit more. I do think I would trust this over most P&S and half-frame cameras off the used market, too. $500-$600 on a T4 might yield full 35mm frames, but it's also so risky at this point. I feel like this is better than my Canon Multi-format P&S or the Samurai half frame, too. The Olympus Mju II also feels far too fragile despite currently costing less, and offers less control. The price is definitely a tricky point ... But a great review!

[@adokapo]

It is nice camera and i really want to support Pentax for doing this. Please dont be such snobbs. We will probably dont get anything new in years if we are so negative about it.

[@doozledumbler5393]

Smaller frameline is for the macro and food settings. The blue light will also be blinking slowly to tell you.

[@innstikk]

Considering the Leica M6 price tag I think the price of the 17 is fair.

[@KarinMajoka]

Hahah, good point!

[@tomm7096]

Good review. Thanks. Not sure why you feel it to be “plasticy”. The frame, top and bottom are magnesium alloy.

[@TungstenOvergaard]

Best review of the first 4/5. Congrats! IMO this is a miss opportunity for doing something better. Either a Ricoh GR on film, or a cheap rangefinder. This is just an expensive toy for what it is. But opens a path that I hope others will follow.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for your comment! I still hope the camera will succeed and resonate with people. But let's also hope this will result in more companies considering to make film cameras again!

[@nick-w]

Freut mich voll dass du einer der KZbinrin bist, welche die Pentax so früh schon vorstellen darf! Sehr verdient.

[@carltanner9065]

I'll be buying one. Build quality is important but it's how well he camera shoots and how the pics turn out which is the most important and this camera hits the spot. Plus, it's new! Let's see Nikon or Canon release a brand new film camera. I doubt it. Though, if Nikon restarted the F6 or F3 production line that would be great!! Can't see it though. Same with a new AE-1 or any other Canon. But, stranger things have happened, so it might be savvy to keep an ear to the ground.

[@KarinMajoka]

Great, I am sure you will enjoy it! It truly is a fun little camera and I enjoyed shooting with it way more than I initially thought. Also, one correction: The camera does not feel as premium but the top and bottom plate in in fact magnesium alloy and not plastic. So build quality should be great, just the tactile experience feels a bit light and plastic-y

[@olympus2OM]

Pentax 17 549,99 Euro vs. iPhone prices?

[@doobythepirate]

need to be 300 not 500 i get rnd is expensive but that is not a beginner film user price.

[@KarinMajoka]

I think the camera would be way more attractive to beginners with a lower price tag indeed. At the same time I have no idea how much it costs to develop and produce a new film camera in this day and age

[@stephenjones6902]

It’s great to see new film cameras not just old models

[@KarinMajoka]

I agree! :)

[@rollfildbim6006]

NaJa !Die Kamera mit KBVollformat und einem 40mm MF Objektiv fände ich interessanter.Nach der großen Vorankündigung hab ich mehr erwartet.

[@RaimondiClaudio]

Hi, I’m a newbie and I’ve got this Pentax 17. In order to protect the lens, I’ve bought an UV filter (“Urth”), but I would like to ask wether it could affect the quality of the photos. Thank you!

[@TianyuanLiu1998]

Shouldn’t affect anything detrimentally

[@ryankwan1934]

The distance scale on the bottom of the lens is going to be so clunky...

[@Mamotreco]

Thank you for sharing your experiences! This looks tasty and quirky in all the right ways! Your photos are lovely. This hopefully leads to more new film cameras with interesting designs and features!

[@KarinMajoka]

Thank you so much for the kind words, I appreciate it a lot! :)

[@Brando90198]

I dig it. We live in a world where Polaroid has a $600 offering. This seems fair. Hopefully a full frame will come if sales justify it.

[@cjflv]

I think that is one reason this camera is a bit larger for a half frame. It would be an easy modification to turn it into a full frame camera.

[@KarinMajoka]

Interesting thought indeed! I could see Pentax making a full frame camera with the same outer shell as the Pentax 17. Having a switch to shoot both formats would have actually been pretty cool

[@cjflv]

@@KarinMajoka I have the old Konica Auto-Reflex that has the half frame/full frame switch. It's a neat trick, but if you screw up and forget to turn the switch at the right time, you end up with a lot of overlapping frames. I used it once and now it sits in the vitrine.

[@Bikeshredder]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6DZhaNqmrd1pMUfeature=shared&t=806 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6DZhaNqmrd1pMUfeature=shared&t=814 So, looks like this brand new, expensive camera already has a light leaks, right from the box!? Twenty years old Oly MJU ii is smiling from around the corner...

[@KarinMajoka]

It’s from the film, not the camera. It was the first of the roll and no other images from 4 rolls had this issue. I personally think light leaks are actually quite cool (sometimes) which is why I showed the image anyway

[@Bikeshredder]

@@KarinMajoka, ah, it's ok then!

[@marcmcvey6276]

Half frames certainly reduce the ‘cost per image’ and this could be a gateway drug for film enthusiasts who still struggle with the development costs. The funny thing about the ‘forced portrait orientation’ is that I’m struggling to work my M6 in portrait orientation which is my preferred composition style…maybe you could do a video on that ‘problem’😊 like the excellent one you did on the whole right eye vs left eye on the M6❤. In the end, we all benefit, as film shooters when more new film cameras are introduced so that film makers can get scale they need to help lower the costs. Fantastic review and your usual honest/ integrity shines !

[@KarinMajoka]

Could you elaborate what the problem is with the M6 in portrait orientation? I don't have a problem with it so I am just wondering :) Thanks for your comment and for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it!

[@marcmcvey6276]

Hi...first love your videos and your story about buying your M6! For some reason, when I turn the m6 onto portrait mode, I struggle to 'trust my focus ' when using zone of hyper focus. So when I move the focus ring tab, I find myself turning the camera back to landscape mode, focus and then revert back to portrait mode to press the shutter button...this is most likely a 'me' problem but wondering if you had similar difficulties when first starting with your m6. I think a lot of it is because I went from auto focus Xpro 2 so using any orientation was easy to manual focus lens 100% 😅. Keep up your amazing work!

[@diforbes]

I had to chuckle when you said you're not inspired by your hometown. I feel the same about mine, but then seeing what you captured was inspiring indeed. Good job with the review and photos. The lack of a focusing confirmation (AF or prism or something) would be a downer for me.

[@KarinMajoka]

Thanks so much for the kind feedback, I appreciate it a lot! I think the feeling of not being inspired in once usual environment is rather familiar to mist photographers.

[@manugeee]

I agree with you. While I am definitely not the target group anymore (old), I am a little surprised by the price. 500€ for a half frame is really a lot, because I have compensated half frame needs with the Kodak Hs35. And therefore I really wish to would like to get one of the Pentax 17, just for supporting the effort. But I just cannot image myself to enjoy shooting the camera. 😢

[@f1remandg]

I agree with your analogy regarding the pricing and to be honest that as i collect cameras and know the prices, and i say this as a Pentax fan, old school, but like the Pentax K1000 when it was made outside of Japan, it became more plastik and poor build quality, yours is the third review I’ve watched and lots of similar comments some not as honest as yours. I predict with the current market and the fuji range of Instax range and others, the price point for such a camera is to much, especially the build quality, they should have gone for premium and a K1000 like, in a M4/3 size or even there MV or super, they have made an expensive mistake.

[@MumenRider78]

The cameras selling well. Sold out in many regions that they’re having to ramp up production.

[@f1remandg]

@@MumenRider78 just shows that the media is biased in its reporting and doom and glume that there is no money in the world, you could get four decent film cameras old school for this price, but i agree with some comments that purchasing is a promotion for the future, i just hope that it works and that it brings back that film revolution.

[@peterpuhl187]

Sorry. Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned, but the Pentax looks ugly and cheap to me.

[@KarinMajoka]

Everybody has different taste, that's totally okay :) It does not feel super premium in my opinion but I actually quite enjoy the design of it

[@pscion12]

The focusing is interesting, it makes for snap shooting faster and more discreet, if you already know the distances that you like to shoot from, it is a matter of setting the focus. It plays fast and loose, so allows to capture in the moment. Seems like a great starter street photography camera

[@KarinMajoka]

For somebody who is used to rangefinder cameras with proper distance scales and focusing tabs, focusing by symbols feels way slower and less precise. But as you say, this option might actually be a great entry ticket for people who want to get into zone focusing!

[@pscion12]

@@KarinMajoka lol I hear you. Not having the visual confirmation that the subject is in focus is disconcerting. Eventually you have to trust that you’re covered by the hyperfocal distance. After that, to use boxing terms, just bob and weave… you just bob and weave.

[@mhaustria]

Just found your channel. Great content, videos and views about analog photography! Looking forward to your next videos!

[@c.baumeister8967]

Danke. Thank you. Top report!

[@eddyhoughton6542]

The concept is absolutely fantastic. The portrait orientation is spot on for the Selfie Generation. My young adult daughter is obsessed with everything retro and vintage. She would foam at the mouth for this future-primitive innovation. But she certainly cannot afford €500 for a camera. From my perspective, I can afford €500 (but not every week) but for that money I'd want something that offers me a lot more control, in the line of a competent SLR. So I worry that this, like the Sinclair C5, it is a brilliant design concept that is going to fall flat on its face. There, I just showed my age!

[@adamsiegfried6098]

Have you thought about comparing the new Pentax 17 with the Kodak H35N half frame camera? The Pentax 17 is set to retail for $500.00 US and the Kodak H35N retails at $65. A huge difference in price. One thing I have noticed is that the flash on the Kodak H35N is very weak and the camera has one shutter speed and two apertures settings with a one plastic lens element and one glass. This does limit control significantly, but if price is more impressive then the Kodak H35N might be a cheaper option for getting into film photography.

[@photoplanet]

While I am very glad that a major manufacturer like Pentax has not only introduced a new film camera, but taken the bold step in making that a half-frame version with very user-friendly interface... But UK £500 at introduction...?

[@kyshark1]

As a millennial with a decent film camera collection my two cents- I was really looking forward to this and followed all the rumors BUT for £500 I would have expected better built quality (metal and glass), faster lens (at least 2.8 but ideally 1.8) and better focusing options. I can definitely live with half frame but not with the other compromises! But full marks to Pentax for trying this and bringing a film camera to market in 2024! I do hope the target audience warms up to it but for me its a pass unfortunately!

[@bananaskin7527]

Thank you. I'm an old noob when it comes to Auto modes. Have fun. Thank you for your review. It's good that Ricoh Pentax have provided this NEW opportunity to shoot film.

[@pablovi77]

The thing I hate the most about half frame is that I won’t ever be able to finish a roll! It was hard when it’s 36 exposures, I used to develop my rolls without finishing them like 90% of the time. And that’s why I don’t shoot 35mm anymore. I used it before digital cameras existed or way mainstream.

[@nomimidzu8984]

Oh, yes! It's very interesting! Half frame, it's a godsend! The most important thing is that the camera is reliable, you don't want to lose 72 pictures, so the new camera is a big event for connoisseurs of film photography. Thanks!

[@fellowcitizen]

Very pleased about this, and it's been my plan for several years to get the film Pen F as a half-frame. I'll get one when I get the chance, though, I've a backlogue of cameras and lenses which I want, so at that price it will probbaly stay on the backburner for a long time. I'm excited that Pentax is doing this, and I'm tracking all their film projects. I'm on L-mount these days, but still have my Fujis, and I'm superkeen to use Voigtlaenders with a future X-Pro4 -- please contact Fuji and ask to be a pre-reviewer for that when it finally happens. Thanks again!

[@kaushikchatterjee9137]

Just beautiful.Feelling memorable good old day's.very glad to see this modern film camera(half frame).I have K3.but I love this film camera from pentax.

[@StevenLawson]

Good review, thank you, and I agree that price is way too high - if it was €150 less it would pull in a lot more people.

[@edsmagsayo]

The 35mm film format is already saturated with old reliable slrs and rangefinders. Its a good move for pentax to realease a half frame film format as only a few of those old cameras remain.. im waiting for pentax to release a medium film format , since older ones are too expensive.

[@northof-62]

I think young people who are used to portrait mode on their handys/cell phones are going to like the 17. Though I hope the price will come down with time.

[@neeravnaik]

Loving this camera! Also good on Pentax for including creators like you and giving them free rein. Sure some things like focusing could have been better. But the design and operations seems overall quite good. I enjoy half frame format and goes well with those who like to document their life and shoot freely. I feel this is a good sustainable way to build a whole lineup of film cameras