Roundup of Overseas Reviews of the Pentax 17

Following the official announcement of the Pentax 17, hands-on reviews have started appearing on overseas websites and forums. The verdict has been largely favorable, with many reviewers recommending it in particular as an entry-level camera for people new to film. In this article, I'd like to introduce some of the most notable ones.

FStoppers

FStoppers describes the Pentax 17 as "Fun and Quirky." Of the reviews covered here, it is the only one that discusses image quality. It says the camera isn't suited to large prints, but given who this camera is aimed at, image quality that holds up for sharing on social media may well be enough.

• Positives
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Half-frame format gives you 72 shots
  • Manual film advance and simple operation make for a nostalgic experience
• Negatives
  • Lacks modern features such as AF
  • Zone focusing can be difficult to use
  • Image quality is geared toward social media and not suited to large prints

Original article: Pentax 17 Review: Fun and Quirky Film Photography | Fstoppers

PetaPixel

Many reviews, PetaPixel's included, view the economy of the half-frame format positively. Film developing costs have been soaring overseas as well; in the US, for example, the going rate is around $10 (roughly ¥1,600) per roll. In that environment, being able to take twice as many shots as before seems to make half-frame's advantages outweigh the drawback of lower image quality.

Positives

• Stylish design and lightweight body
• Half-frame format saves film
• The fun of a manual film advance mechanism
• Zone focusing that's easy for beginners to use
• Offers a learning experience in analog photography
• Negatives
  • Some plastic parts feel cheap
  • Falls short for users expecting fully manual control
  • Limited range of shutter speeds
  • Zone focus accuracy varies depending on the situation
  • Limited exposure adjustment

Original article: Pentax 17 Review: A Brand-New Film Experience Worth Having | PetaPixel

thephoblographer

At the end of the article, the reviewer asks, "Who is this camera for?" Considering its specs, it's described as not suited to people who already own several film cameras but well suited to those who want to start shooting film, emphasizing that the Pentax 17 is a camera for beginners. The article includes many sample shots taken in New York.

Positives

• Easy-to-use design aimed at beginners
• Half-frame format makes the most of your film
• A design and feel that make you want to carry it around
• High reliability
• Serious engineering, with input from veteran film camera engineers

Negatives

• Not suited to users who own several film cameras
• Few manual settings (exposure compensation only)

Original article: Pentax 17 Review: The Best First Film Camera?

35mmc

This review welcomes the arrival of a new option in a film camera market that has until now relied almost entirely on used gear. Something the other articles barely mention is presented here as a positive: the lack of a DX code reader. Indeed, these days some films don't carry DX codes, and there are times you deliberately want to shoot expired film at a different speed, so getting into the habit of setting the ISO each time you load a roll may make sense.

Positives

• Half-frame format saves on film and developing costs
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• A blend of retro design and modern ease of use
• The fun of manual focusing
• More reliable than used cameras

Negatives

• No parallax-correcting frame lines
• No digital shutter speed display
• No aperture control dial
• No exposure lock

Original article: Pentax 17 Comprehensive Review - The New Half-Frame Point & Shoot

Summary

That wraps up our look at Pentax 17 reviews from four overseas outlets. Overall, the camera has been praised for being lightweight and easy to carry, for its half-frame design that saves on film costs, and for its beginner-friendly ease of use. On the other hand, some felt it isn't suited to intermediate or advanced users, citing the lack of modern features and the limited shutter speeds. Pre-orders have sold out at many retailers, and it will be interesting to see how sales go from here.

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