It takes stunning photos and its great for diptychs.
But its expensive, it uses disposable CR2 batteries, and focusing can be hit-or-miss.
The Pentax 17marks a big milestone for film photographyand it signals a hopeful future for the genre.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
But the camera isnt perfect.
Its expensive and it uses disposable, hard to procure CR2 batteries, and focusing can be hit-or-miss.
Is it still one of thebest camerastoday?
Read my full Pentax 17 review to find out.
This camera occupies a unique position in todays market.
A combination of faux leather and a magnesium alloy top plate give the Pentax 17 a premium touch.
The Pentax 17 is also very compact, measuring just 5 x 3.1 x 2 inches.
I was able to easily carry it around in my cargo pants pocket.
It weighs 10.2oz (camera only) so you dont feel weighed down by it either.
Its heavier than both the Kodak Ultra H35 (3.52oz) and the Rollei 35AF (8.5oz).
I would have liked for the Pentax 17 to be heavier, though.
I was able to comfortably wrap my fingers around the sculpted grip on the right-hand side of the camera.
This grip also houses the Pentax 17s battery.
And how do you remove the battery cover, you ask?
Just like with film cameras of old, you use a coin!
I used a 2-pence coin to loosen the silver screw and insert the included CR2 battery.
Just remember not to lose the screw as it may be difficult to find a replacement.
Around the lens is an easy-to-move dial that lets you swap between the focus zones.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
One of the things I love most about the Pentax 17 is its clever viewfinder.
The optical viewfinder has accurate frame lines to help you line up your shot.
The outer lines are for distant focusing while the inner guides are for near focusing.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
What I really like is that you’re able to see the active zone-focusing mode through the viewfinder.
Youll also notice two orange and blue LED indicators on the right-hand side of the viewfinder.
The Pentax 17 knows whether the cap is on is thanks to the built-in exposure meter.
Pentax 17 review: Controls
The Pentax 17 has alotgoing on in terms of controls.
If youre familiar with mirrorless cameras, you wont have any issues getting to grips with this film camera.
Heres ahandy tutorialin case youre struggling.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Once youve done so, youre ready to start shooting.
Left-hand side
All the controls sit on the top plate.
On the left-hand side, youll find the ISO sensitivity dial with a range of 50-3,200.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Youll need to set this according to the film youre shooting.
Its easy enough to do as is changing the ISO.
I found this especially handy in extreme situations, such as low-light or very bright, sunny conditions.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Right-hand side
Now onto the right-hand side.
Depending on the setting, the flash will be automatically enabled or disabled.
The film advance lever is also located here.
Its unlike the ones Ive seen on the Kodak Ektar H35 or theNovocolor Swiss+Go 35mm(43).
It has a matte black finish and feels sturdy.
To advance the film, it’s crucial that you push it to the right.
Ive loved using it and hearing the whirring sound it makes.
Its the best mechanical advance lever Ive seen across all the film cameras Ive used.
The shutter button gives good tactile feedback when pressed and feels soft to touch.
But that doesnt mean the photos are terrible or unusable, and Im actually very pleased with the results.
Theres plenty of detail in the photos and the camera has balanced shadows and highlights really well.
The lens feels surprisingly sharp and its definitely sharper than other film cameras Ive tested.
There is some color fringing though, also known as chromatic aberration, brought on by the optics.
This way, you might get really creative.
Where the Pentax 17 struggles is focusing on subjects close to the lens.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
Perhaps this issue could have been negated had the camera been equipped with autofocus, like the Rollei 35AF.
Overall, Ive been very happy with the photos taken on the Pentax 17.
The Pentax 17 is a half-frame camera, of course, so youre essentially getting double the shot count.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
A 36-count roll yielded 72 shots in my testing, which is great value for money.
While its a modern camera which offers manual control over shutter speed, it sports a retro look.
Its magnesium alloy top plate gives it a premium edge as does the wraparound faux leather.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
With its six focus zones and sharp lens, it takes stunning photos in bright conditions.
And for a film camera, it has quite a clever, detailed viewfinder.
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Tom’s Guide)
