The Last Wish - Pentax 17 and the return of film.

[@nwmi23]

$499 for a brand new film camera in 2024 with a warranty is a steal for me, which is why I purchased this camera. I actually bought the bundle for $100 more directly from Pentax, and I hope this camera is a massive success so that Pentax can release more advanced cameras in the near future.

[@cameracentretv]

Yer same here! I like where they are going with it! We shall see

[@tobiasellerbrok3131]

I just received the camera and I have now started shooting my FP ISO 400 B&W. I can't wait to see the first results. I am not new to film photography but haven't had a 35mm film Camera for 25 Years. So what can I say, I love it, easy to handle and a real throwback in the good old times.

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I am on my second roll through mine (arrived Wednesday.) I think $499 is perfectly fair price, as if you look at high quality digital fixed lens point & shoots - you are in the same price range or more. I have spent way more on 50+ year old gear to roll the dice on whether it works correctly. I also laugh at the dingleberries who compare this to a SLR, whine about no hot-shoe, are mad about zone focus, or bash half-frame cause they act like they need to make a 18 meter by 36 meter print of every picture. The use case for this camera is really obvious (point and shoot.) I bought mine as a pocketable everyday camera and/or a small camera to squeeze into the bag with my medium and large format gear. The camera is fun to use, and has excellent image quality for half frame. I developed my first roll the day after it came in - and I was quite happy with the lens quality and the built in light meter.

[@cameracentretv]

Yer I agree. I mention a k1000 but isn't much of a fair comparison. This camera is something I end up thinking about more and more as as a point shoot is just fun!

[@JoeLopez]

Nice job on the review. I feel $499 is on point all things considered. It’s a nice camera and hopefully not the last.

[@cameracentretv]

Yeah, for sure it’s an interesting time to be alive when it comes to the camera industry because it seems to be regressing into film photography more and more and I really like that it’s a new and interesting experience. If I’m honest after shooting this, I am actually tempted to get one myself as I don’t know if you can tell by the video I really did enjoy it so maybe 499 is that actual right price point?

[@lelandfitz1762]

I just think if the Rollei 35AF goes for 800-850$ those 500$ will really look expensive (if Mint delivers on the Rollei).

[@surferuk35]

If you try to use in low-light with the flash it's virtually unusable. The flash-ready light is so bright you can't see anything in the viewfinder so returned mine as I do a lot of low-light photography. Also struggled t see the frame lines in certain lighting conditions. Pentax definitely need to look at the brightness of the LEDs next to the viewfinder as this has not been an issue with some of my previous similar cameras.

[@soulcareer3154]

I had expected to use Takumar lenses on this but... oh well I'll keep using what I already have for now.

[@cameracentretv]

Would of been call if you chose super takumar!

[@elwick_photo]

I really like the idea of this camera, but like you said... it feels odd when there better older film cameras available for around £100, and when this camera doesn't have a sensor, doesn't have a all the digital circuitry or any of the "tech" from a modern camera except the light meter, and even then the battery compartment kinda looks like an afterthought screwed closed with a sticking out screw head.... it feels like if it was £250-300 it'd be an easy sell but.... £500?! If it ever shows up in a sale at like £300 though, id be really tempted, a film camera that meters extremely accurately and allows for over and under exposing with the twist of an exposure dial? yeah sounds simple and fun.

[@cameracentretv]

This is it, I could justify the 500 maybe but would need some more weight there. I would say the thing that’s pushing me to I would get was that the experience was just fun. I loved shooting with it. Honestly impressed

[@XATNEP1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZrScoFurMR4rZosi=eDL453zK1SrpZ8iU Here is a video where someone has taken the camera apart to look at what tech is inside, other than the geared winding system, there is plenty of digital tech inside the camera. The focusing system uses electrical contacts to move the lens group rather than a manual system. The battery compartment "bump" actually feels good in the hand and makes one handed shooting very easy. The tear down video also shows how easily the camera is to repair, something that can't be guaranteed with some classic cameras. Is it a cheaply made and designed throw away camera, I don't believe so, when you look at the costs of film and developing and printing, the camera cost doesn't seem too high. Would I like to pay less, of course, who wouldn't, but I feel I am happy with my purchase.

[@cameracentretv]

@@XATNEP1 if I am honest I might be getting it

[@anthonylovesey1137]

The Kodak Ektar is a half frame compact camera that shoots 72 photos on a 36 exp roll of 35mm. I think it is around £100 .

[@JoshuaBowen]

If you want that disposable camera look

[@marcuslow3290]

an f8 plastic camera with inferior lens, fixed focus, etc etc etc

[@JoeLopez]

Apples and oranges really.

[@GerritADHS]

I totally appreciate the effort of Pentax but they lost me with the bokeh mode and the focus settings. I’ll stick to my OM2 and the other Film cameras.

[@cameracentretv]

I think the idea about doing the bokeh mode is to make it as usable as possible, allowing for people who like the idea of film to jump into it with a modern approach

[@GerritADHS]

@@cameracentretv And I can totally understand that decision. But I ain’t sure who’s going to pay 500$ for this camera. We will see.

[@sirnubenegra]

What language is he speaking?

[@cameracentretv]

an attempt at english! hahaha