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

[xkaes]

That's cool. Thanks for the invite, I always enjoy a good party!

You can take pictures with your new Pentax 17. Don't worry if you're short on cash after your camera purchase -- it will be an open bar!

 

[xkaes]

Am radios don't need a battery. And a tiny hearing aid battery can power a radio.

When you can come up with this radio in a 110 cassette, I'll be all ears.

 

[Cholentpot]

When you can come up with this radio in a 110 cassette, I'll be all ears.

There was an FM radio the size of a credit card. Maybe smaller.

 

[mshchem]

Half-frame? How about the Pentax YIKES?

View attachment 372989

That's a handsome camera. Size looks perfect for me. I look forward to your pictures. From what I've seen on YouTube etc it makes terrific images.

 

[4season]

There was an FM radio the size of a credit card. Maybe smaller.

I had forgotten about that thing by Casio, along with their equally small solar calculators, and of course, their card-sized (if thicker) Exilim digital cameras, and not card-sized, but still tiny, synthesizers.

But while it's form factor isn't so novel, the new Qodosen DX286 (radio, no camera) is no less amazing in it's own way.

 

[Agulliver]

Kodak did indeed sell 25 million Disc cameras on the basis of their excellent marketing....but the majority of users were so disappointed they ran a couple of discs through them then forgot about them. The format was not a success in the way tat 126 and 110 were. As far back as 1988, Forbes described the Kodak disc as "a flop, a humiliating Edsel of a product".

Regarding the pentax 17, Analogue Wonderland here in the UK say that shipping of pre-orders is "imminent".

 

[xkaes]

As far back as 1988, Forbes described the Kodak disc as "a flop, a humiliating Edsel of a product".

It took Forbes six years to figure that out?!?!?! True, they are business analysts, not photographers, but come on!

Anyway, my guess is that in 2030, no one -- not even Forbes -- will be talking about the Pentax 17.

 

[albireo]

Anyway, my guess is that in 2030, no one -- not even Forbes -- will be talking about the Pentax 17.

One thing is certain - you, in particular, will still be talking about it.

 

[xkaes]

One thing is certain - you, in particular, will still be talking about it.

If -- and that's a big IF -- as only as a comparison to my other half-frame cameras that I'll still be using.

 

[blee1996]

From left to right three half frame cameras:

1) Ricoh Auto Half with 25/2.8 lens
2) Pentax 17 wth 25/3.5 lens
3) Olympus FT with 40/1.4 lens

Half frame trio - top view by Zheng, on Flickr

 

[mshchem]

From left to right three half frame cameras:

1) Ricoh Auto Half with 25/2.8 lens
2) Pentax 17 wth 25/3.5 lens
3) Olympus FT with 40/1.4 lens

Half frame trio - top view by Zheng, on Flickr

That's simply lovely!!

 

[xkaes]

Ricoh AutoHalf -- basically the same lens, but faster, auto-exposure, auto-winder (1/10th the price) -- how did they pack that all into the body?
Olympus Pen F -- SLR, limitless lenses (1/5th the price) -- how did they pack that all into the body?

Good luck, Pentax!

 

[Pioneer]

...and a wonderful looking half frame Pentax that is brand new with a full manufacturer's warranty. And selling well to boot. If you are in the market for this type of camera it is a terrific option.

Good luck finding a good example of the others on the used market and always ensure you have the option to return if it doesn't work correctly.

 

[kitspics]

(1/10th the price) -- how did they pack that all into the body?

are you going to warranty the $50 ricoh auto half I get off ebay? so if the CdS cell is dead or dying after fifty years I'll get a CLA/replacement

 

[armadsen]

It took Forbes six years to figure that out?!?!?! True, they are business analysts, not photographers, but come on!

Anyway, my guess is that in 2030, no one -- not even Forbes -- will be talking about the Pentax 17.

While that may be true, with any luck people will still be talking about the Pentax film cameras that follow it.

Mine was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but seems stuck in the USPS system now, with no estimated delivery date. Hopefully I’ll get it in the next few days.

 

[xkaes]

are you going to warranty the $50 ricoh auto half I get off ebay?

Just order NINE of them, and you've still saved $$$ -- AND, you can set the f-stop manually & +/- the exposure.

 

[kitspics]

AND, you can set the f-stop manually & +/- the exposure.

When is a feature not a feature? Or, put another way, are you posting from Linux?

 

[blee1996]

Everyone assign value to different aspects of the same thing. In any case, I'm happy with Pentax 17 so far and believe their pricing is within reasonable range. Even though my other half frame cameras (all used) costs less than $499, some significantly so.

Last time I bought a brand new camera was in early 2000s, a Yashica T5 (Super T4) in the $250-300 range, which is about $500-600 in today's money. Also a reference point for a brand new camera in similar league is Lomography's LC-Wide, which is $399.

 

[xkaes]

When is a feature not a feature? Or, put another way, are you posting from Linux?

Read the user manual.

 

[xkaes]

Also a reference point for a brand new camera in similar league is Lomography's LC-Wide, which is $399.

I sure didn't pay anything like that for my -- USED AND WORKING PERFECTLY -- LC-Wide (above). But that's FULL-frame, as well as two other frames. The Yashica's T"X" and others are alternatives, but they are FULL FRAME. Let's compare apples to apples. I know that's asking a lot.

 

[cmacd123]

Ricoh AutoHalf -- basically the same lens, but faster, auto-exposure

NO NO NO..

the SAME Focal lenth, But the Pentax 17 Lens is a design based on 1984 Pentax UC-1 (or Pentax Espio Mini as it was known outside of North America) Adjusted to 25mm. I love the old Auto Half, but the new lens has likely got a technical update. Even just the "HD" coating, several steps beyond the Super Multi Coating that Pentax pioneered, should make for much better contrast.

and the 17 does have several modes of auto exposure, and A BUILT IN Flash.

@xkaes yow ARE a recognized expert on 16mm and Smaller Still cameras. Lets see if the high level of demand for this guy keeps up, which would mean that Pentax/Ricoh may be tempted to offer something that this crowd would like.

 

[Pioneer]

I sure didn't pay anything like that for my -- USED AND WORKING PERFECTLY -- LC-Wide (above). But that's FULL-frame, as well as two other frames. The Yashica's T"X" and others are alternatives, but they are FULL FRAME. Let's compare apples to apples. I know that's asking a lot.

I am not to sure you are actually using your Lomo cameras very much. I have owned three and all three are dead in the water after very little time. I have pretty much given up on Lomography. Though my Holgas are still working well, even the flash still fires on both of them. They can be fun sometimes but I don't rely on them for my more serious work.

 

[cmacd123]

AND, you can set the f-stop manually & +/- the exposure.

Have a close look at the Auto - Half manual. setting manual aperture also sets the shutter to use a Flash Bulb, and shuts down the meter. I do love my Auto Half, It was an amazing camera for the time I was made, But YOU CAN'T buy a new one. You are stuck with fixed focus, and you have to fight the darn winder to change the film. (set the pointer at the right spot and push the button to let the spring wind down before you can rewind.)

BOTH the auto half and the pentax 17 allow the use of the ASA/ISO dial to override the exposure, but the 17 makes it easy with a 2 stop + or 2 stop - compensation dial without having to mess with the set ISO.

and I would have a 17 on order if it was not so expensive, BUT I may still give in.

 

[blee1996]

While that may be true, with any luck people will still be talking about the Pentax film cameras that follow it.

Mine was supposed to be delivered yesterday, but seems stuck in the USPS system now, with no estimated delivery date. Hopefully I’ll get it in the next few days.

Hope you receive your camera safely soon. I just finished my first roll, and plan to shoot more over the weekend. And after that, I suggest we start a new thread for "First photos out of Pentax 17". Enough talks about specs and price.

 

[foc]

Hope you receive your camera safely soon. I just finished my first roll, and plan to shoot more over the weekend. And after that, I suggest we start a new thread for "First photos out of Pentax 17". Enough talks about specs and price.

If you wish to share some of your images then I look forward to seeing your results and comments.