PENTAX 17

€549,99

PENTAX 17

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€549,99

Compact film camera with fixed focal length, designed to capture half-size photographs

Enhance your gear
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PENTAX 17 Accessory Kit PENTAX 17 Accessory Kit
In stock

Key Features

See description

  • Compact film camera with fixed focal length

  • Half-size format (17 x 24mm)

  • Manual camera operation unique to film cameras

  • Newly developed fixed-focal lens combining time-proven optics and the latest lens coating technology

  • Zone-focus system to switch the in-focus area via simple selection of zone marks

  • Bright optical viewfinder for real-time confirmation of a subject image

  • Seven shooting modes to accommodate different applications

  • High-quality body with meticulous attention to every detail

  • Built in Flash

Technical Specifications

View all specifications

  • Camera Type

    Half-frame lens-shutter 35 mm film camera , with fixed focal length

    Compatible Film

    35mm film - for a wide selection of different colour and black and white films

    Recording mode

    Various exposure modes depending on the activity

  • Focus type

    Zone-focusing（Manual operation）

    Number of Images

    48 (24 Exposure Film), 72 (36 Exposure Film)

    Focal Length

    Universal to use 37 mm (equivalent in 35mm format)

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PENTAX 17 - "It's time for film!"

Film photography not only means a break from our digital everyday life, film photography also means experiencing photography with different senses. The process of seeing the subject, setting up the camera and developing the film is something unique and a very special photographic experience, not only for film camera enthusiasts who have enjoyed film photography for years, but also for young photographers who are looking forward to experimenting with film photography for the first time.

For a long time, analogue technology was overshadowed by digital photography and played only a minor role, with cameras that are at least 20 years old. Even though large numbers of cameras from this period are in circulation, the majority of old cameras are no longer usable.
The increasing desire, especially among young people, for a modern and reliable camera was the reason for a group of older, experienced experts and young engineers at RICOH IMAGING/PENTAX to design a camera that allows photographers to express their originality and creativity by providing scope for manual operation, while also delivering reliably good images.

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The PENTAX 17 is designed in the style of many successful PENTAX SLR cameras. The silver exterior parts are made of a solid but lightweight magnesium alloy, which is already used in the top-of-the-range cameras such as the PENTAX K-1 Mark II and the PENTAX 645Z. Together with the technical plastic of the camera body, which was chosen to reduce the overall weight, the PENTAX 17's body design embodies the robustness, precision, nostalgia and beauty of a film camera that is already a classic, as confirmed by globally recognised design awards.

In contrast to digital photography, every picture taken with the PENTAX 17 is a unique original, created by the film selection and the photographer's individual settings, far removed from artificial intelligence, which is increasingly finding its way into photographic technology.

An important point in this type of photography is the cost of film purchase and development. Since the PENTAX 17 was designed specifically for young people, special attention was paid to this. The camera takes pictures in the so-called half format. This results in two 17 mm x 24 mm images on the typical 35 mm format (24 x 36 mm). This doubles the number of original images, which in turn halves the costs compared to other models.
This has another advantage, because it is designed for vertical image composition. When looking through the viewfinder, you can see a vertical section for image design. This vertical orientation is familiar to anyone who uses a smartphone. This is particularly useful when sharing images on social networks after development.

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The PENTAX 17 is designed for ease of use, but features high-quality, proven components. For example, the lens was designed as a triplet type, which was used in the currently very popular and sought-after Espio mini camera from 1994, and the RICOH Auto Half, a bestseller in the half-frame format.
An electronically controlled central shutter is incorporated into the lens, ensuring highly accurate shutter speed control. The combination of this shutter and the lens construction of the new lens ensures that the camera produces a beautifully rounded bokeh effect. It will be a real pleasure to shoot with it and capture the rays of light.

Zone focusing system for switching the focused area depending on the subject distance
The technical requirements for perfect pictures are therefore in place, but the camera leaves plenty of room to experience analogue photography creatively. First of all, there is the distance setting. A conscious decision was made to use a manual distance setting here, because this means that the photographer decides what distance to set and does not have to rely on automatic settings to set the correct distance.
The Zone Focus has six zones marked on the lens, for close-up and long-range shots. To focus the camera, simply select the mark that best matches the distance to your subject.

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Far distance

This zone sets the focus from 5.1 meters to infinity, making it ideal for scenic photography and long-distance shooting.


Medium distance

This zone sets the focus from 2.1 to 5.3 meters, making it useful for medium-range photography, such as group photos.


Close distance

This zone sets the focus from 1.4 to 2.2 meters, making it handy for taking casual snapshots of personal effects from an eye-pleasing distance.


Extremely close distance

Setting the focus from 1.0 to 1.4 meters, this zone is useful in capturing close-up photos of friends or groups.


Tabletop photo※

Setting the focus from 0.47 to 0.54 meters, this zone is perfect for capturing table-top photos at locations such as cafes and restaurants.


Macro※

Setting the focus from 0.24 to 0.26 meters, this zone is prefect for capturing fine-detailed photos of small objects, such as flowers or tiny articles, or creating dramatic macro images.


※Because the PENTAX 17 is a compact film camera, it causes a parallax in the Tabletop and Macro zones. When photographing in these zones, you are advised to frame the image using the parallax compensation frame indicated in the viewfinder.

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Bright optical viewfinder for sharp shots

An important feature is the optical viewfinder. It has a bright Albada-type frame that also has a near-field compensation frame to make it easier to compose images when shooting close-ups. This allows the PENTAX 17 to capture images from a distance of 25 cm. Zone markings can be checked directly through the viewfinder.

Indicator lamps provide information on the camera's operating status and issue warnings.
Two indicator lamps are located next to the viewfinder. These flash as a warning to prevent operating errors if you try to take pictures with the lens cap on, fail to wind the film to the next frame, or set the focus area to Tabletop or Macro.

Enjoy the manual winding and unwinding of films

Another essential part of a film camera is the typical shutter sound, the transport, and the rewinding.
Here, completely different senses are addressed. The sounds that are created are not synthetically generated, but are confirmation of the action performed.
The PENTAX 17 has a simple loading system. Simply insert the film roll, pull the film to the mark, close the back cover and advance the film until the film counter reaches ‘0’ (zero). When the film roll is full, or if the film is to be removed prematurely, the film can easily be rewound manually.

Memory holder to always know which film has been inserted.

If you cut off the tab of the film package and insert it into the camera's note holder, you can see at a glance what type of film is being used and thus know what film is in it even after a long time. Because a maximum of 72 shots per film roll is often enough for the entire holiday,

Shooting Modes (Exposure)

In addition to the distance, exposure control is an important factor for good pictures. This is done automatically, but also allows the photographer sufficient leeway for implementing their own creative ideas. First of all, there are the seven recording modes for different applications:

1 - Full Auto mode

The PENTAX 17 features a pan-focus mechanism with a fixed focus point, while the flash unit automatically discharges in poorly illuminated locations. This mode allows for more casual and effortless picture-taking, without worrying about camera operations.

2 - Standard mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, while the camera adjusts exposure to the proper level. Since the flash doesn’t discharge, this mode is highly useful in daylight photography.

3 - Slow-speed mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge, making it ideal for twilight photography.

4 - Maximum-aperture- priority mode (BOKEH)

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, without flash discharge. The camera automatically sets the largest aperture available for a given scene.

5 - Bulb mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge. This comes in handy for subjects requiring extended exposures, such as light traces or fireworks. The use of the CS-205 Cable Switch (optional accessory) and a tripod is recommended when using this mode.

6- Daylight sync mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera selecting the optimal exposure settings. Since the flash makes a discharge, this is ideal for photographs taken against backlight or in poorly illuminated locations.

7 - Slow-speed sync mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera making a flash discharge. This is useful in situations where you want to brightly illuminate a subject in the foreground while retaining the ambience of a nightscape or twilight in the background.

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Manual ISO setting

Exposure control is based on the light conditions, which are automatically measured, but also on the light sensitivity of the various films. It ranges from ISO 100 for a lot of light to ISO 3200 for very little light.
Photographers not only have a huge selection of films with different characteristics in colour or black and white, but also in different sensitivity levels.
Some of the big film brands are equipped with automatic ISO detection, but many of the smaller and more creative labels do not. This is not a problem with the PENTAX 17, because here the ISO value is set manually.

Light control

Exposure compensation mechanism for easy adjustment of the brightness level
There is also an exposure compensation dial that allows the exposure level to be quickly changed by simply turning it. This is useful when shooting against the light or for creative effects. The shot is deliberately over- or underexposed.

Pentax photographers from all over the world share their pictures on Instagram using the official hashtag #pentax17. See for yourself and get an idea of the camera's capabilities.

PENTAX 17 on Instagram

Technical Specifications

Model Description

Camera Type
Half-frame lens-shutter 35 mm film camera , with fixed focal length
Frame Size
24×17mm
Compatible Film
35mm film ISO 50, ISO 100, ISO 125, ISO 160, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
Sensitivity Setting
Manual settings to match the film
Film Loading
Easy loading system
Film Transport
Manual winding using wind-up lever (with 130-degree stroke and 35-degree stand-off angle）
Film Rewind
Manual rewinding using rewind crank. Mid-roll rewinding possible.

Lens

Construction
HD PENTAX lens, 3 elements in 3 groups
Focal Length
25 mm （equivalent to 37mm in 35mm format）
Maximum Aperture
F3.5
Angle of View (Diagonal)
61°
Maximum Magnification
Approx. 0.13x （at 0.25m）
Filter Diameter
40,5mm

Viewfinder

Type
Albada bright-frame viewfinder
Viewfinder Indication
Composition frame, Close-distance compositon frame Zone focusing setting can be confirmed through the viewfinder
Viewfinder Outer Right
Blue lamp display: Warning display Orange lamp display: Flash display

Focus

Focus type
Zone-focusing（Manual operation）
Focus-Zone System
The PENTAX 17 offers a choice of six focus zones: Macro: Setting the focus from 0.24 to 0.26 meters, this zone is prefect for capturing fine-detailed photos of small objects, such as flowers or tiny articles, or creating dramatic macro images / Tabletop photo: Setting the focus from 0.47 to 0.54 meters, this zone is perfect for capturing table-top photos at locations such as cafes and restaurants. / Extremely close distance: Setting the focus from 1.0 to 1.4 meters, this zone is useful in capturing close-up photos of friends or groups. / Close distance: This zone sets the focus from 1.4 to 2.2 meters, making it handy for taking casual snapshots of personal effects from an eye-pleasing distance. / Medium distance: This zone sets the focus from 2.1 to 5.3 meters, making it useful for medium-range photography, such as group photos. / Far distance: This zone sets the focus from 5.1 meters to infinity, making it ideal for scenic photography and long-distance shooting.

Exposure Control

Metering System
Partial metering
Metering Range
EV2.5 to 16.5 （ISO100）
EV Compensation
± 2EV ( 1/3EV steps)
Metering System
Partial metering
Shooting Mode (Exposure)
Full Auto mode: The PENTAX 17 features a pan-focus mechanism with a fixed focus point, while the flash unit automatically discharges in poorly illuminated locations. This mode allows for more casual and effortless picture-taking, without worrying about camera operations. / Stand-ard mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, while the camera adjusts exposure to the proper level. Since the flash doesn’t discharge, this mode is highly useful in daylight photography. / Slow-speed mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge, making it ideal for twilight photography. / Maximum-aperture-priority mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, without flash discharge. The camera automatically sets the largest aperture available for a given scene. / Bulb mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge. This comes in handy for subjects requiring extended exposures, such as light traces or fireworks. The use of the CS-205 Cable Switch (optional accessory) and a tripod is recommended when using this mode. / Daylight sync mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera selecting the optimal exposure settings. Since the flash makes a discharge, this is ideal for photographs taken against backlight or in poorly illumi-nated locations. / Slow-speed sync mode: This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera making a flash discharge. This is useful in situations where you want to brightly illuminate a sub-ject in the foreground while retaining the ambience of a nightscape or twilight in the background.

Shutter

Type
Program AE electronic shutter
Shutter Speed
1/350 to 4 seconds, Bulb

Built-in Flash

Guide Number
approx.6 （ISO100・m）
Emission Type
Shooting mode interlocking system
Flash Charging Time
Approx. 9 seconds
Charging Status
Can be checked with the orange lamp at viewfinder outer right. Charging status: blinking Charging completion status: lighting

Power Source

Battery Type
One 3V lithium battery（CR2） Not compatible with rechargeable CR2 type batteries
Battery Life
Approx. 10 cartridges* when using 36 exposure film （using fresh battery under the condition of 50% flash shots） * According to the result of RICOH IMAGING in-house testing

External Terminal

Cable Switch Terminal
Compatible with cable switch CS-205 （optional） （φ2.5mm）

Operating Environment

Temperature
0℃ to 40℃
Humidity
85% or less（the enviroment must be free of condensation） THE CAMERA IS NOT WATERPROOFED

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions
Approx. 127.0mm（W）×78.0mm（H）×52.0mm（D） Approx. 5.0in（W）×3.1in（H）×2.0in（D) (excluding protruding parts)
Weight
Approx. 290g（without film and battery） Approx. 10.2oz（without film and battery）

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Supplied Accessories
Art. No. 54457 - Strap O-ST191 Art, No. 39944 - Lens Cap O-LC40.5 Lithium Battery CR2
Optional Accessories
Art. No. 37248 - Cable Switch CS-205
Article Codes
Art. No. 18926 - PENTAX 17 DARK SILVER Body KIT
Market Launch
June 2024

Important point when developing film

When you order film development, it is important to inform the laboratory staff that the photos were taken with a half-frame camera.

Copyright

* The contents of this webpage are all copyrighted, and must not be used, duplicated or transmitted, whether in part or in entirety, without permission. * Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Product Information

Product Information Sheet EN

Overall rating: 4.814815 / 5 from 27 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The PENTAX 17 film camera is praised for its high-quality images and impressive build. It uses standard 35mm film and features a fixed HD PENTAX 25mm lens. The camera offers a half-frame format, allowing for more pictures per roll, and includes a flash and filter compatibility. However, it lacks zoom, autofocus, and weather resistance.

Summary topics

  • Image Quality: 27%
  • Build Quality: 22%

Review topics: ["quality","performance","lens","camera","images","experience","pentax"].

Review highlights

  • "High quality camera with an ultra precise light meter that that delivers very sharp and excellent pictures." — Peter G.
  • "It is great designed camera, which is fun to use, produce beautiful images and has great usability." — Tomáš V.
  • "The images are very good and in combination with a good landing to develop and scan ideal for social media and more." — Ivo B.

Reviews

I love this camera but…

"I love this camera however… please make the full frame version of this! And use higher quality build materials. This camera takes beautiful images there is no doubt but we want a stepped up version."

— Sam (5/5)

Full Frame!

"Please do a full frame modern film camera"

— Lourenço (5/5)

awesome

"awesome"

— Konstantinos A. (5/5)

New film camera in 2025

"Love this film camera, thank you Pentax/ricoh for producing this. Please make another film camera so we don’t have to spend 5 grand on a leica film camera…. but i would like better build quality on the next iteration. People are moaning about the price but you are paying for a product that was built from the ground up and if you want another film camera from this great company then you have to invest."

— lee (5/5)

Great camera

"Very nice look and high quality feel, actually pretty lightweight but not in a bad way. Love the manual film advance mechanism and the amount of details in this camera. Takes some time to get used to the „different“ focus wheel but straightforward after a few shots. Only thing to pay attention to is to remove the lens cap, but there is a warning led just in case. Definitely would buy again, good job"

— Franz-Josef H. (5/5)

Eine sehr gute Kamera.

"Ich bin sehr glücklich mit der Kamera. Am Anfang war ich skeptisch, was die unterschiedlichen Aufnahme-Modi betrifft. Aber in der Praxis haben sich die Aufnahme-Modi sehr bewährt. Auch die Qualität der Kamera ist sehr hoch."

— Konstantin B. (5/5)

Lot of Fun – yet a bit ambiguous

"Simple & Lovely, Yet the ""magic"" underhood often leaves guessing what was done. Too many automatic modes. Aperture mode ability instead might solve the issue. With Flash might be one separate toggle."

— Andrii M. (4/5)

A Stellar Performer: The Pentax 17 Shines Bright!

"The Pentax 17 has exceeded every expectation I had for a camera in its class! From its sleek, ergonomic design to its robust performance, this is a piece of equipment that screams quality and delivers results. Build Quality & Design The Pentax 17 is a masterpiece of engineering. Its solid body feels incredibly durable yet lightweight enough to carry on long shoots. The controls are thoughtfully laid out, making it a joy to use for both beginners and seasoned photographers. Image Quality The images produced by the Pentax 17 are simply stunning. This camera captures breathtaking detail and vibrant, true-to-life colors. Whether shooting landscapes, portraits, or action shots, the results are consistently impressive. Features & Performance What really sets the Pentax 17 apart are its features. Its allowing for sharp handheld shots even in challenging conditions. The advanced autofocus system is fast and accurate, ensuring you never miss a critical moment. Additionally, its wide ISO range delivers excellent low-light performance with minimal noise. Usability & Value One of my favorite aspects of the Pentax 17 is its intuitive interface. Everything feels accessible and customizable, making shooting an effortless experience. And given the wealth of features packed into this camera, it offers incredible value for its price. Conclusion The Pentax 17 is a dream come true for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike. It blends cutting-edge technology with user-friendly functionality in a rugged, attractive package. If you're looking for a reliable, high-performing camera that inspires creativity, look no further. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase!"

— Jens W. (5/5)

Nice Camera, recommended

"The lens is great and thats the main reason to by this camera. The half format is big enough to enlarge negatives into a print far bigger than A4. Things to improve in Mark II Version : The shutter relase is somwhat slow, too slow. Second: I was unable to install/attach any of my camera straps to the camera because of very small/narrow holes. Please offer decent sized holes, that does not cost you a penny. Its lightweight and small enough to carry it everyday, thats fun!"

— Peter H. (5/5)

Haptische Qualität deutlich ausbaufähig, Retoure im Pentax Store noch nicht bearbeitet

"Seit Jahrzehnten bin ich mit Pentax verbunden, durch analoge und digitale Kameras. Die Pentax 17 ist sehr im Design und Ausstattung sehr gelungen, doch haptisch enttäuscht sie mich, so gab ich sie zurück. Ich bin sicherlich nicht die typische Zielgruppe, als ambitionierter Fotograf mit Pentax auf Kleinbild und Mittelformat, doch etwas wertiger sollte die Kamera sein. So ging die Kamera zurück und wurde vor 10 Tagen bei Pentax zugestellt, auf meine Rückerstattung warte ich bis heute vergeblich, schade. Ich bleibe Pentax eng verbunden, doch konkrete diese Erfahrung hier ist recht enttäuschend."

— Martin L. (3/5)

Q&A