Ricoh Imaging will release the PENTAX 17, a single-focus film compact camera that offers the unique image quality of film, on July 12, 2024. This is a brand new mechanical film camera with retro functions, such as manual film winding with a film wind lever and focus setting with zone focus, as well as the enjoyment of camera operation itself. The suggested retail price is $550.
This product was born from a project that started as the “Film Camera Project” to consider the development of a film camera under the PENTAX brand, which was announced in December 2022. In recent years, film cameras have become increasingly popular, especially among young people who are experiencing film cameras for the first time. The unique film quality and image differs from digital cameras.
On the other hand, with digital cameras now mainstream, the reality is that there are fewer and fewer opportunities each year for veteran engineers who were involved in the development of film cameras in the past to pass on their skills to younger generations of engineers.
The PENTAX 17 was developed by Ricoh Imaging PENTAX, taking advantage of its accumulated know-how in film camera development. Veteran engineers and younger generations of engineers have worked together to pass on the technology they have acquired. Rather than being fully automatic, the PENTAX 17 was developed as a model that allows the photographer to demonstrate their individuality and creativity by leaving room for human operation.
This model is designed to allow film camera fans around the world who have enjoyed film for a long time, as well as the younger generation who want to start using film, to fully enjoy shooting with film cameras, which can be said to be the origin of photography.
Main features of the new PENTAX 17
Half-size format
It uses a half-size format that uses about half the size (17 x 24 mm) of one frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). Because the film is fed horizontally in the “PENTAX 17,” if you hold it as is, you will be shooting vertically, allowing you to shoot in the same way as with the smartphones that many users use on a daily basis today.
An operation system that allows you to enjoy the unique gestures of a film camera
It is equipped with a manual film advance lever so that you can enjoy the unique operation of a film camera, winding the film one frame at a time and releasing the shutter. The design inherits the winding mechanism of PENTAX film SLRs, so you can enjoy the smooth feel and sound of winding.
The camera also uses an easy-loading method for film loading, so even first-time film camera users can set the film with confidence. In addition, the camera is equipped with mechanisms that allow users to enjoy using a film camera in many ways, such as film rewinding with a crank, exposure compensation with dials, and ISO sensitivity setting.
A newly developed lens that combines proven lens optics with the latest coating technology
It is equipped with a newly developed prime lens with a focal length of 25mm (equivalent to approximately 37mm in 35mm format). Based on the lens optical system of the “PENTAX Espio Mini” (released in 1994), a prime compact camera from our company that was renowned for its imaging performance, it has been newly designed for the half-size format and uses a high-performance multi-coating “HD coating”. It achieves clear and sharp imaging.
The angle of view was based on the lens used in the best-selling half-size format camera, the RICOH Auto Half (released in 1962), and the focal length was set to make it easy to capture everyday scenes.
Zone focus is used by simply selecting an icon.
The camera employs a manual zone focus system for focusing. Six zones, from close to far, are displayed as icons on the zone focus ring, and you can enjoy shooting by selecting the icon that corresponds to the subject you want to shoot. When macro shooting is selected, close-up shooting at a distance of approximately 0.25m is possible, and the included strap can be used to accurately measure the shooting distance.
Optical viewfinder that lets you check the subject in real time
The optical viewfinder uses an Albada bright frame finder. In addition to the normal shooting field of view, it also has a close-distance field of view correction frame, and the selected zone focus icon can be checked inside the viewfinder.
PENTAX 17 has Seven shooting modes
The camera’s built-in light metering sensor automatically controls exposure. It has seven versatile shooting modes, including “AUTO,” which lets you leave it to the camera to decide, “slow shutter,” which is ideal for shooting at dusk, and “bulb” mode, which is ideal for shooting night scenes and fireworks. It also has an independent exposure compensation dial, allowing you to quickly adjust exposure according to the subject and the purpose of the shot.
High-quality body with attention to detail
The body has a classical design befitting a film camera, and the upper and lower covers are made of lightweight and sturdy magnesium alloy to increase rigidity. In addition, various commercially available filters with a filter diameter of 40.5 mm can be attached to the front of the lens, and the design is carefully crafted down to the smallest detail, making it a joy to own.
PENTAX 17 – Other features
(1) Supports precise film ISO sensitivity settings (50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200).
(2) Equipped with a memo holder on the back for storing cut-out film packages.
(3) Equipped with three strap attachment points, allowing horizontal or vertical hanging depending on your shooting style.
(4) Compatible with the “Cable Switch CS-205 (sold separately),” which is convenient for long exposures (bulb shooting).
