Pentax: Two new compact film cameras planned - Pentax 17 announced June 2024

[MFstooges]

Dumb question : so do people who use this camera mostly use it for portraiture? I can't imagine using this for my hiking camera

 

[mshchem]

Looks good!

 

[Hassasin]

To me if anything that is being said about it, or shown, turns true, this has failure written all over it. The only way this will clear inventory is if it's free with a pair of socks at Macy's.

But the apparent public excitement about the project is even more intriguing.

 

[Cholentpot]

I think this is not aimed at the users on this forum.

This is aimed at the crowd who sends their film in for development and doesn't care about the negatives being returned. This is for the crowd that wants to move past the disposable camera but wants the 'vibes' of shooting film. This camera is going to sell like hotcakes. Mark my word on that. Kodak sold a boat load of the plastic half H35 camera. I've seen more of those in the wild than just about any other film camera.

 

[Hassasin]

I think this is not aimed at the users on this forum.

This is aimed at the crowd who sends their film in for development and doesn't care about the negatives being returned. This is for the crowd that wants to move past the disposable camera but wants the 'vibes' of shooting film. This camera is going to sell like hotcakes. Mark my word on that. Kodak sold a boat load of the plastic half H35 camera. I've seen more of those in the wild than just about any other film camera.

By that you mean crowd up for a huge disappointment? Or crowd that does not care about anything that relates to quality, from design to output?

No question this project seems to have been surrounded by secrecy, marketing and puffed up commentary. So in that sense, it's being built up as one of a kind and in tune with times. It looks like an expensive disposable thus far.

 

[armadsen]

Dumb question : so do people who use this camera mostly use it for portraiture? I can't imagine using this for my hiking camera

Nobody is using it for anything right now, as it’s not out yet. That said, it’s for things like hiking and travel that I most appreciate a simple, quick, good-enough camera like this. Portraiture is where I want my fast, high quality lenses.

I’ve only shot one roll on a half frame camera, an Olympus Pen EE. I bought it in an antiques store in Namibia. I kept it in my pocket most days the rest of that trip and ended up really enjoying some of the photos I got with it. It didn’t replace my high end digital camera for wildlife, etc. of course, but it made for a fun carry-it-everywhere camera.

 

[brbo]

@MFstooges was probably aiming at the fact that 17 will shoot in vertical orientation (as most half-frame film cameras do).

I use half-frame cameras a lot and shoot in vertical 99% of the time, and I hardly do any portraits.

 

[MFstooges]

@MFstooges was probably aiming at the fact that 17 will shoot in vertical orientation (as most half-frame film cameras do).

I use half-frame cameras a lot and shoot in vertical 99% of the time, and I hardly do any portraits.

yes that's my Q and you answered me. I prefer to have my other eye covered.

 

[Cholentpot]

By that you mean crowd up for a huge disappointment? Or crowd that does not care about anything that relates to quality, from design to output?

No question this project seems to have been surrounded by secrecy, marketing and puffed up commentary. So in that sense, it's being built up as one of a kind and in tune with times. It looks like an expensive disposable thus far.

I think it's aimed at people who just want to have...what's that word? Tip 'o my tongue...ummm...

Oh yeah,

Fun.

 

[Nitroplait]

If they hope to attract buyers they better not skimp on the lens. It's only a f3.5 lens. One extra, tiny piece of glass can't cost that much more

Well, they have already explicitly stated that it will be a triplet.
Nikon have made excellent cheap 6 element kit zooms by utilizing smart use of moulded plastic elements, so I assume a similar approach cold yield improvements over the triplets of the past.

 

[Dwight Anderson]

Someone on Reddit estimated the size based on the 40.5mm filter, it's a small camera. 116x70, a bit smaller than my Ikonta 35. A handgrip on a camera that size isn't a bad idea.

 

[xkaes]

Dumb question : so do people who use this camera mostly use it for portraiture? I can't imagine using this for my hiking camera

Not dumb -- GOOD.

First, 25mm is a slight wide-angle lens for a half-frame -- good for scenic & group shots, but not good for portraits, and even worse for head & shoulder shots. It's good for a all-in-one, take-everywhere lens -- especially when you turn the camera on its end.

A few half-frame cameras did just that -- with the film running VERTICALLY -- such as the Yashica Samurai, Konica AA-35, etc. -- and those cameras had a built-in flash, auto-focusing, you name it. Pentax is not going to match those winners.

 

[xkaes]

Someone on Reddit estimated the size based on the 40.5mm filter, it's a small camera. 116x70, a bit smaller than my Ikonta 35. A handgrip on a camera that size isn't a bad idea.

I've got full-frame 35mm cameras that are smaller than that, and my biggest half-frames top out at under 4". But perhaps Pentax figures buyers will think they are getting "more" if the package is bigger. Heck, that works for cereal boxes, right? Why not camera too?

 

[Dwight Anderson]

I've got full-frame 35mm cameras that are smaller than that, and my biggest half-frames top out at under 4". But perhaps Pentax figures buyers will think they are getting "more" if the package is bigger. Heck, that works for cereal boxes, right? Why not camera too?

I don't think Pentax's goal in developing a half frame camera was to make it as small as possible. Rather, they are catering to young people used to shooting vertical photos, and a lot of them. I have small full frame cameras such as a Petri Color 35 and Olympus XA, but plenty of people would complain they're too small to use comfortably.

Also, do your small cameras have a built-in flash?

 

[xkaes]

I don't think Pentax's goal in developing a half frame camera was to make it as small as possible.

You don't have to make a half-frame camera small. That happens simply because of the smaller format. Pentax had to intentionally make it larger -- larger than many full-frame 35mm cameras. They either thought it would be more comfortable (can't imagine it is), it needed to be bigger because of additional features (hard to believe), or they like the "look" (to help sales?).

Kodak, Escura, Superheadz and others already have several NEW half-frames -- with similar features -- in all sorts of interesting bodies. Pentax has to have something different. What will that be? Not anything that I've seen so far!

 

[mshchem]

I think it's pretty neat. I'm looking forward to the introduction.

 

[Dwight Anderson]

You don't have to make a half-frame camera small.

You are correct, it doesn't need to be small.

If you want to equate a cheap plastic fixed focus camera (Kodak, and others) based on an old vivitar design to a high quality Pentax with a focusing triplet, then I think you're just being a contrarian.

 

[Agulliver]

Dumb question : so do people who use this camera mostly use it for portraiture? I can't imagine using this for my hiking camera

Not a dumb question at all. But we must remember that Pentax have made it clear this camera is aimed mostly at young people who are used to taking lots of photos in "vertical" format using smartphones. That's the bulk of their expected audience for this particular camera. It's not aimed at us, though I suspect a few of us will buy it....some will be genuinely interested in using it and some will want to support Pentax by purchasing the first product. After all, if the first camera doesn't sell....there won't be a second.

I don't mind how it looks. Nope, it's not a stunner....but then it's also perhaps not the final product. It doesn't scream "I am cute, buy me!" nor do I find it ugly. The lens doesn't need to open wider than f3.5 especially with zone focusing. Do I see that the closest focus is 0.52 feet? That's quite impressive. But then the youngsters are used to taking close up photos.

What this does tell us is that Pentax aren't far from being in a position to launch. The camera exists. It's not some prototype cobbled together. Whether they choose to launch in early summer or to wait longer is likely partially a marketing decision. But hopefully it is happening. And hopefully it will be a success.

Their social media has been ramping up recently, but mostly with more general info about past Pentax film models. Just building up interest by the looks of it....before the launch...whenever that is.

And when it does launch, more of those "young people" might find themselves here at Photrio. They likely won't "do photography" the way most of us do. But let's be welcoming. And not tell them they're wrong. If they're used somewhat akin to Instamatics of the 60s, that's still a lot of film bought, processing or chemicals bought too. It's potentially good for all of us, including those with no interest in the new camera.

I've got to say....just seeing that Pentax logo on a brand new film camera is quite the warm feeling.

 

[bfilm]

Their social media has been ramping up recently, but mostly with more general info about past Pentax film models. Just building up interest by the looks of it....before the launch...whenever that is.

Maybe not such a good idea. People are going to see great cameras of the past, and then with this new camera say, 'this is what we get now?'.

Personally, I still think half-frame is a big mistake. If they wanted to start with a compact camera, they should have just made a good solid simple full-35mm-format compact camera.

 

[Agulliver]

Maybe not such a good idea. People are going to see great cameras of the past, and then with this new camera say, 'this is what we get now?'.

Personally, I still think half-frame is a big mistake. If they wanted to start with a compact camera, they should have just made a good solid simple full-35mm-format compact camera.

Remember.....it's not aimed at us.

 

[bfilm]

Remember.....it's not aimed at us.

Right, but surely many in the young generations have a similar appreciation for the cameras of the past when they learn about them. One would hope, anyway.

I think the approach Pentax has taken of wanting to make this an analog variation of smartphone imaging is a big mistake. The reason many, including the young generations, get into the analog pursuits is that they want something distinctly different from the modern digital technologies. The classic cameras best satisfy this desire. Learning the basic concepts of photography and how to operate a camera are part of the experience -- or should be, for the most fulfilling experience.

This is, of course, part of the perennial appeal of the Leica rangefinder camera, and why the first 35mm camera is also the last standing. Classic format, good design, solid build, and only the features one needs, with the maker showing the discernment not to chase technologies and additional features. Now, if only Leica would make some more humble moderately-priced classic-formula lenses again.

 

[MFstooges]

Remember.....it's not aimed at us.

I agree with you. I believe Pentax had done their study and sees the opportunity in a certain group. This group don't have shared interest with me other than the film media.
The marketing power of some 'influencers' on this demography is crazy. Just because few celebs were posting their pictures holding Contax pocket camera the followers instantly jumped on the secondary market. In another instance some influencers praised the 2000's pocket digicam CCD sensor film like image and the followers instantly jumped on the secondary market. So Pentax must be thinking "why not create the real film camera to cater for this folks?"

 

[xkaes]

If you want to equate a cheap plastic fixed focus camera (Kodak, and others) based on an old vivitar design to a high quality Pentax with a focusing triplet, then I think you're just being a contrarian.

I'm not trying to be a contrarian -- more of an historian. Kodak, and others, made some great, high-quality 110 cameras, but they had to compete with all the others that cost much, much less -- and had results that you would not write home about. The costly 110 cameras lost the war -- and 110 cameras still suffer from a low opinion, even though many produce great results. Pentax has to face that same Herculean challenge.

As with the 110 cameras, many people might decide that they can get better results with a camera that is the same size, but has a larger format -- and has the same (or better) features for about the same price.

 

[xkaes]

Also, do your small cameras have a built-in flash?

There are plenty of half-frame cameras with built-in flashes -- and more with small add-on flashes, similar to the Olympus XA, Chinon Bellami, etc.

 

[Hassasin]

If this mediocre looking concept is to lure in the young, then I think this Pentax will prove a complete failure, a short lived wannabe, sold by hype and marketing, ultimately failed by product itself. The more I read about it, the more puzzled I become.

Yes, I am perplexed about the excitement given what is being shown, from form factor, to design and features. It's aching to Lomo talking about unorthodox powers supported by total nonsense. But while Lomo has become rather successful, it was a well thought out long term campaign, this appears to be lacking, the hype is mainly based on "it's film you know, film is back, film is here to stay" rather than "we've got something special for you, try it, you will have hard time letting it go". This is not novelty it would need to have at least a short term chance of a run to a podium. It also appears to be designed by those who never successfully designed much let alone a film camera, hardly had any training in industrial aesthetics, and appear to be riding on a Pentax train ... without a valid ticket.

What to me would be better, is deliver a product actually much closer to a modernised replica of some older body, which alone would help marketing showing how old blends with new, with perhaps an easy digital/film changeover. This is doable, and if it had quality output, it would likely attract many from all walks of life, and have potential of becoming true fusion of old and modern.