It's not aimed at us. It's aimed at younger/newer users who have not already got any film cameras, and certainly no half frame cameras.
I think it's quite astonishing that one camera accounted for 20% of Ricoh/Pentax's entire revenue in 2024. That said camera was a brand new film camera is doubly astonishing.
I think it's quite astonishing that one camera accounted for 20% of Ricoh/Pentax's entire revenue in 2024. That said camera was a brand new film camera is doubly astonishing.
It's not aimed at us. It's aimed at younger/newer users who have not already got any film cameras, and certainly no half frame cameras.
I think it's quite astonishing that one camera accounted for 20% of Ricoh/Pentax's entire revenue in 2024. That said camera was a brand new film camera is doubly astonishing.
IME buying used cameras, and lenses, in 2025 is a huge crap shoot. With the proliferation of DIY photo 'repairers' out there tinkering, disassembling and putting back together wrongly after learning from a youtube video; or just simply due to the fact that most used gear has been around for several decades and might have been knocked about, bumped, mistreated in subtle, invisible, but detectable (once in use) ways, well, buying used is increasingly a huge risk.
Maybe it represents 20% of some (small) reporting segment in Ricoh's financials...
It's not aimed at us. It's aimed at younger/newer users who have not already got any film cameras, and certainly no half frame cameras.
I think it's quite astonishing that one camera accounted for 20% of Ricoh/Pentax's entire revenue in 2024. That said camera was a brand new film camera is doubly astonishing.
Yikes. I've had pretty much the exact opposite experience.
There was something "lost in translation". No way Pentax 17 generated 20% of Ricoh's entire revenue. Just. No. Way.
Maybe it represents 20% of some (small) reporting segment in Ricoh's financials...
Ricoh is publicly traded so they do need to give some degree of detail, but I agree that we (I?) haven't seen this from Ricoh and I'm not going to believe it unless we do.I am not sure where the 20% number comes from, as I am not aware that Ricoh gives that kind of detail.
But if it is true, I imagine it would be for Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd., and not the Ricoh company or group as a whole.
It's not aimed at us. It's aimed at younger/newer users who have not already got any film cameras, and certainly no half frame cameras.
I think it's quite astonishing that one camera accounted for 20% of Ricoh/Pentax's entire revenue in 2024. That said camera was a brand new film camera is doubly astonishing.
I'm as impressed as you! -- when i wrote "I thought they could do better", i meant the Pentax 17 camera. The success is unbelievable! No doubt a new film camera will be coming next, maybe a variation on the Pentax 17.
After yet another massive disappointment buying used film photography gear (why do I keep buy MINT++++ crap from ebay japan?), I'm seriously considering getting a Pentax 17 and calling it a day.
IME buying used cameras, and lenses, in 2025 is a huge crap shoot. With the proliferation of DIY photo 'repairers' out there tinkering, disassembling and putting back together wrongly after learning from a youtube video; or just simply due to the fact that most used gear has been around for several decades and might have been knocked about, bumped, mistreated in subtle, invisible, but detectable (once in use) ways, well, buying used is increasingly a huge risk.
I recently posted some photos in this from that I took with my Olympus PEN, trying to figure out why they looked soft. One of the suggestions was that perhaps when it was repaired / cleaned, someone disassembled the lens and didn't put it back at quite the right distance from the film.
That's great for them. I thought they could do better.
I had the chance to test a Pentax 17 in barcelona this January.
In short:
Pros:
- Brand new camera with guarantee
- Solid construction, feels well made overall
- Easy to hold in the hand, ergonomic for the hands
- Rather light for the size (see below)
- Built in flash
- +/- EV compensation dial is useful
- Looks pretty
Big Cons:
- Many half frame cameras are smaller.
- Many half frame cameras are lighter
- A Minox 35 -series camera is smaller, lighter, with a faster f2.8 lens, and also with AE...
- A cheap Lomo Agat-18K half frame is significantly smaller and lighter.
- In short: Such a big camera but only has a f3.5 lens?! Noticeably bigger than my Olympus Pen D with a f1.9 lens
Small Cons
Would I buy the Pentax 17? That's the question I made for myself. If I didn't know about half frame cameras and wanted a sophisticated half frame point-and-shoot, I would buy it. But since I already have many half-frame cameras, when I "compare it to the prior art", I am not so satisfied.
- No manual mode and auto modes are a bit confusing
- Viewfinder is too cheap/simple, at least a bigger viewfinder would've been nice
Another "big pro" is the splendid lens it has. I have seen 30x40 cm prints made from the Pentax 17 and they retain plenty of detail. The body can be a good platform to develop a future full frame camera, there is plenty of space to make the film gate fit a 24x36 mm frame. Perhaps it is reason to be bigger than neccesary, so they could reuse some of its desing.
You know, I am not the target audience for the 17. Why? I am not a younger demo. Far from it. Way far. Instead, I'm a 75% digital shooter (Ricoh GR and Fuji X100), and 25% 35mm film (various). But, over time, I am getting bored with digital and its gloss, its slickness and almost-perfect results. And don't get me started on the iPhone. I love the tool and its convenience, but anyone can use it and get good results. The process is mind-numbingly easy.Seriously. That lens does not get enough credit for just how crazy sharp and flare resistant it is. Modern lens coatings are a huge advantage. View attachment 402045
That's a great way to enter our forum - welcome aboard!Photography has to be fun.
That's a great way to enter our forum - welcome aboard!
You know, I am not the target audience for the 17. Why? I am not a younger demo.
So, we are a bit more critical. But one thing is certain. Photography has to be fun. And, after reading and viewing dozens of Pentax 17 reviews, I think I will take the plunge. And, I commend Ricoh for putting Pentax back into the conversation among reviewers and influencers. It's called modern-day marketing.
You know, I am not the target audience for the 17.
Hmm I now cannot find the article where I read about 20% of Ricoh sales being the Pentax 17 but it probably meant to refer to the Photo division.
When I try various searches now, the algorithm seems to lead me to social media influencers claiming (without evidence) that Pentax has ceased production of the 17. They extrapolate this from the announcement that the programme has been paused after TKO's exit...and admit that they are making up a rumour regarding production of the Pentax 17.
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