Not sure if this is for me, but I'll ultimately pick one up just for the sake of supporting what they are doing in hopes more companies will start making film cameras again.

First impressions of the mustache, 10 out of 10

I am probably going to buy it not only because I want it to succeed but also because my first real camera was a Pentax K1000 my mom bought me new back in the 80’s(still have it and it still works including the light meter). I have really do have a soft spot in my heart for Pentax, even though I now own and use Leicas.

Personally I think the design is really nice. I'm really digging the half frame quality, it reminds me of 16mm movie stills. I'm rooting for it. Pentax has always been the leader in quirky designs.

We can't let Pentax die. They seem to be interested in making photography accessible and fun.

Yes to a full frame version of this. Please Pentax🙏 Its so much fun to shoot with

Yes Please. I have an original Olympus Pen F half frame and love how it makes me think differently when shooting, but its slow to use. A new Pentax half frame with metering and flash. Why not?? It looks fun. I can easily see myself going out with a Leica M in my other hand and letting the 17 do what it does best. It almost feels like "Lomography" but with a cracking lens! More importantly Pentax deserves our support so their next new film camera feels like a viable business option. Thanks for showing us the camera.

so epic! new film cameras in 2024!

I hope it is an indicator to Pentax that people are still interested in film and are willing to invest in a new film camera and continue making devices. That is the hope.

Disposables were really popular in Japan a few years back. Not sure if the trend has peaked now, but with the film revival for gen z, I think this camera makes a lot of sense. It's like a premium compact, but half frame, so you get double the exposures per roll and don't need to worry about it dying (like a 90s Contax). I can see it appealing to those who want to shoot film in an accessible way, and more serious hobbyists or pros that have it as a fun alternative.

I am probably NOT the market for this but I do want one. I'm and old guy and "thought" I had the film cameras I'll need for the rest of my life. Currently I have a decent 4x5 set up, a good MF kit, several 35mm RF and SLR cameras, and a few oddball cameras that my friends and family have given me. Heck, I even have--and quite like using--an AGAT18k. (An old Soviet 1/2 frame camera) And I do still enjoy getting out the Pentax Auto 110 a couple times a year. But this new Pentax seems very appealing to me. I would not hesitate to bring only this camera, some film, and a filter or two along on a vacation. And can see this becoming a daily carry. Hopefully this releases at $500--less would be fine but I think Pentax deserves to make a profit--or so. At that price I will definitely buy one. If it is more than that I will need to think about it some more. Well done Pentax! And, thank you , Matt, for sharing your views on it and your excellent photos!

I'm PUMPED about this, I loved using it

Bulk rolled HP5 in this thing might just be the cheapest cost per shot you can get. Pleasantly surprised at how well the lens performs!

Your shots look great, people will be surprised by how much quality they can get out of half frame

This looks like a professional response to the popularity of the Kodak H35 and H35N. It looks really good and really clean. My main issue with the H35 is that the viewfinder is off center to the lens, which this fixes. Like you said I love half frame cameras as a "sketchbook" almost.

Honestly, I think they nailed it with half frame. With all the younger people on a tight budget getting into film, while prices keep increasing. Half frame was the perfect pic. Auto focus would be nice but then it would be much more expensive. I think they nailed it and I really think about getting one.

i’m so grateful to have been given this camera as a birthday gift, after wanting to learn more about film photography. I’ve been having so much fun with it, and even though it doesn’t have all the manual features to learn on, the half frame I think will be great way to get more test photos that will end up saving more money in the long run on film/developing. As a casual enjoyer of film that wanted to move away from disposables, i’m loving it so far!

I bought one of these and used it this past weekend at a 4 year old’s birthday party. Took 2 rolls of 36, 72 photos, and could not put this camera down. It was just so fun to shoot with and I felt totally comfortable with the half framing even though I primarily use a Leica M6, M10-R and Sony RX1R II. In other words, full frame all the way normally. Maybe it’s because I am used to taking photos on my iPhone too, which I absolutely do not like the aesthetic, and that made this feel natural for me. Three items I did not like: first is the rewind. My first roll somehow got stuck on the take up spool at the end and I had to open the back and forcefully remove the film. Lost a few shots there for sure. Second - the shutter release is not smooth and I missed a few shots due to the feel. Third, the flash recycle when doing the family photos delayed a few shots. Not terrible and I got used to this and planned better, but just wish it could be even a few scant seconds quicker. Overall though, loved it and zero regrets. This is going to be a favorite of mine until the new Rollei 35 comes out and hopefully I can try that out. But still, this one is a keeper for me.

Look at the flavor savor on this guy, hell yeah.

i’ve been pretty impressed by the image quality. i think the modern lens technology is maybe helping compensate for the lower resolution from the half frame. hope to pick one up at some point.

This looks like a good start, would love this in a full frame 35mm version. Maybe even a fixed lens 120mm version would fit a nice niche

I know a lot of people wanted something more, but this is a heck of a good swing at the current market. Kodak branded half frame cameras are big sellers at the moment and whilst they are fun, their longevity is still open to question. A well built, quality camera needs to attract the young photographers who are just starting out. This camera is aimed at them and why the heck not! I would like to try this camera as I own and love using my Pentax Spotmatic and K1000, heck I remember when they were new....

It's like an updated version of my Fujica Half. Surprised they went with this first instead of a full-frame version.

Kind of reminds me of an XA2/XA3/XA4 in terms of functionality. Which is great. Now to come up with $500 fast enough before it is backordered for two years.

If we really want to see camera makers roll out new models we have to show them there is a market for them. Glad to see this release and I just placed my order. Hope that they sell enough to make a full frame version with manual features in the next phase. I am tired by Leica being the only choice to get a brand new film camera or the second hand market.

It looks great and is a reborn olympus half frame - yes. And as always a great unbiased video like the ones you did all the years! Thanks again!

Amazing that they did this on a shoestring budget and in just 2 years! Really excited to see what their take on 120 film will be!

This is a tough one. On one hand you're 1000% correct. I want it to succeed and for other companies to take notice and bring more film cameras to market. On the other hand I have near zero use for this one. Currently own a near mint Olympus Trip-35 that I use for the exact reasons you list this half frame being good at.

In defense of half frame: I use a Kodak H35 as my backup camera in my backpack with Tri-X loaded for when I shoot color in my main camera. So when I’m out and need B&W or flash or go shopping real quick and don’t wanna bring my Leica. What I like about that is that it takes a long time for it to finish. I just finished roll yesterday that has been in it from August last year to now (June 2024). And I really love the idea of having almost a year go by in increments in one roll. I’d definitely go for a Pentax 17 for this purpose if I had the money to spend. The way it’s now I wanna have two half frame cameras, one with color and one with B&W to complement what I have in my main camera. And two H35n cameras are still cheaper than one 17. But if I had the money I’d sure go for it.

I think kids who shoot on iphone and want film will enjoy this. And it is a base for a future full frame more manual camera.

I think at the price point i think im gonna wait until the Rollei 35 AF comes out. Im all about film cameras, I feel like the 17 hits a specific niche.

I love Pentax lenses and how intuitive Pentax cameras are. I am sure this one won’t disappoint plus it is fun to shoot with half frame

I think a follow-up half-frame with full manual OR aperture priority would be useful in the space where film is still expensive. Doubling the exposures with still more than decent image quality (which is what I'm hearing from reviews) is a compelling idea!

I was interested in buying one until I saw it is $499 USD. I think the most I would pay is $199 for half frame + scale focus. It's just not a product designed for me.

I had an old Olympus half frame camera donkeys years ago…love this..very tempted..❤

Honestly, a fun little film camera that's brand new w/ a warranty and I get a crap load of shots? Sign me up!

I'm not going to buy it but I'm feeling good that Pentax is making it.

As a digital photographer who is looking to get into film photography, I think this may be a great film camera option for people like me. More exposures in a roll will allow room for mistakes and learning.

I loved it, camera looks amazing, and the pics too!

i really like the idea of a modern compact ish film camera. i don't mind 1/2 frame, but i wish it were a bit more feature-rich and rangefinder-like and closer to x100 -- manual exposure controls, side/corner viewfinder.

I’d lose to see the Pentax MF just like that a full medium format. Now that would be interesting.

Hi Matt. Completely off topic, but I know you have published a book on your home town of Chillicothe. Have you read the book 'Blood and Treasure' by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin? It is a fascinating story (as all of their jointly penned history books are) of Daniel Boone and his travel to the American frontier. Chillicothe, Ohio has a prominent part in the book and is mentioned numerous times. Thought you might enjoy it if you have not already. Best wishes, Bob.

Sounds like a Diana mini on steroids and made of metal. Or some weird cross of Pen F and RC ? And XA. ? One from Column A and one from Column B ? Oh and make it some focus - sort of - so old geesers don’t have to focus with their glasses on. With the high coast of film and dev and proc and scanning and postage; half frame makes sense. On Diana mini I can switch from half frame to square. And as usual I forgot to reset focus scale on my last roll of film. So yup it all looks like pop art. Lomo purple unfocused. Is wild! Have fun and I hope this camera does well. Sounds like a good candidate for street!

Im worried about the price, it costs as much as an SLR without being an SLR and im worried consumers wont dig it

need to get my hands on this 72 shots on a roll, mostly manual. what a great way to get excited about film again. the want is strong.

Like the Iris Setter in the chair - nice touch. I love half frame so I know I will buy a 17 just to encourage Pentax to do more! Please Pentax bring back the 645N and either the MZ-3 or MZ-S using the same lens mount.

Quite a few of the macro mode shots I've seen actually look pretty good for out and about detail shots. The lens actually seems pretty solid!

Half-Frame is where it's at! Give me a prosumer half-frame!!

All we wanted was a new Spotmatic and they gave us this one. Film community is too nice to say that it's a toy/junk camera that you can buy for $500.

This feels like a social media camera. Like social media focused people who aren't as into photography as we are will probably know what the word 'bokeh' means. And the tall/portrait orientation photos you get by default with this fits Instagram very well. I'm not knocking it though, this seems like a really fun camera and I'm happy to see new cameras being made.

I‘m glad to see Pentax going all in and giving it a nice tactile look & feel. On the first pictures that were on the internet the camera looked kind of cheap and plasticky. The price is steep for being a half frame but at least it looks pretty and (from what I’ve seen in reviews) feels good in the hand. That’s half the battle. Now we just need some more companies to produce new film stocks for more competition and dropping prices sometime in the future 😅

I love it! It reminds me of my Olympus Trip 35. I just pre-ordered one. Kudos to Pentax/Ricoh for doing something new and taking a risk.

A full frame version of that camera would be a hit for sure at that price point. Even being a half frame it looks like a great second camera to take all around and have fun while having almost full control of how you shoot

Nice video, Matt! I'll get one for sure. It doesn't need to be my main camera (it won't be) but I think it will be fun to shoot with and the photos I've seen taken with it so far are very pleasing.

Great review/First Look as usual. This looks like a really fun camera for those that maybe don't want to chance it with a 40+ year old camera where the batteries may no longer be made, better is broken, fungus is in the lens, etc. The half frame isn't a huge downside but I can understand why someone would want the full frame option at least. If they do a FF P&S I'd love to see them do it with a 40/2 lens as I think that would be a cool focal length that can do it all while being a bit different.

I just ordered one! I’ve wanted a reliable compact film camera that I don’t have to gamble on it breaking after a few rolls that I can carry everywhere with me.

After watching your review, I am now heavily considering this. Would you choose this over the Pen-F or similar?

Im unsure why they made it so complicated and weirdly auto. Just needs manual shutter and aperture, flash on/off switch, and iso. With an exposure indicator through the viewfinder.

yes yes yes !!! a new 35mm SLR or Rangefinder . Pentax or any other brand... PLEASE ! The old cameras are getting really old and hard to get repaired.

fwiw, I love the "kodak" H35 and this looks like a massive upgrade albeit at 10x the price :)

happy that Pentax mad a new film camera, but for me the Rollei 35 AF is more interesting.

I think they’re going for the Contax T2 type market. I’d love to see a side-by-side comparison of the shots. These look nice for half frame.

As someone who only shoots film, I don't get this camera at all. With such a huge selection of superior film cameras to choose from at any price point, why would anyone pick this? It's great to see a new film camera, but I'm disappointed at their lack of ambition with this one.

One of my favorite cameras was a Pentax 160 zoom P&S because of the simple features it offered. The problem I had it, was too bulky with no grip. This seems to have all those features plus a lot more. I always been a fan of Pentax and will support by buying my first half frame even if it’s at $499, got sell a couple of cameras first lol

When Pentax announced the Film project winter 2022, they talked about the plan. The Pentax 17 is testing waters to attract their younger Asian market who are hungry for analog. They mentionned that if this is something that went well, they want to work on a more advanced model and also an SLR. I'm buying one to be a carry-everywhere next to my K-1. I've grown tired of buying used film bodies that are supposedly great, but full of issues. Repairing ends up costing more than what this would cost brand new.

My Pentax 17 arrived today. I was a little disappointed with the feel of the camera. The plastic somehow doesn't feel as high-quality as it appears in the review videos. 550€ in Germany is a lot of money for a 35mm analog point-and-shoot camera. But I really wanted to have the camera and am now looking forward to the first photos. The camera is fun and it fulfills its purpose as an "always-on camera". I have inserted a Fuji 400 (Made in USA) film. But it will be a while before the 72 frames are full ;-)

Dear Matt, Canny video as always👍 You wait a decade for a new film camera to come out & 2 come along in the same year👏👏👏👏👏Super excited for both the Pentax & the Mint/Rollei cameras coming out😁 Regards,

Such a beautiful camera. Never shot half frame but I’m used to zone focus from my Minox 35 EL. Hope the FF Pentax is not double the price lol.

Hoping this reignites film manufacturers, we need to end the monopoly so prices can go down

It is a very cool first attempt, personally, I won’t be buying a scale focusing camera. Pentax, give me the chance to visually see in a viewfinder my manual focusing and I will buy the camera, even if it is half frame.

I see this as a complementary camera - people who primarily shoot on their phones and are looking to get into film - and folks like myself, I have an SLR and rangefinder, but have been looking to add a compact camera to the kit. I could get a Stylus Epic (they are not the cheapest), but will it continue to work 3 months from now? The fact that I can buy a new camera is pretty enticing to me. I also like that it is half frame as it brings something to the table that I don't already have.

It’s great that a new film camera has been designed, developed, and manufactured. I wish it was a little more substantial! It’s a start! Hopefully, sales of the camera are robust! So, additional film cameras will be released! 👍🏻

Awesome to see a new film camera get produced, and I hope they sell well. Not something for me though, 72 photos sounds daunting and zone focus isn't my favorite. You'd pick up a beautiful Pen F kit for half that if you wanted to shoot half frame properly.

Wow, the image quality is just wow. I was scared it would be mid. But seeing these, am happy.

Sorry to bother you, but does the Pentax 17 have (a) a glass or plastic lens and (b) if it is glass, what type of construction ? I am not a 'lens snob', neither do I think a good lens creates a good photographer - but - my questions may be the same as others have too. NB: The idea of half-frame, apart from the artistic aspect, seems to have come from the pressure of film photography commentators regarding the price of 35mm colour film (in particular) and that half frame creates an 'economy of scale' eg. 72 shots from a 36 exposure roll of film.

Imagine if one of the 3 is a brand new medium format bodies, would pay for that

i like his take. i've seen a bunch of reviews/first impressions the past 24hrs and they have been mostly dismissive or indifferent. i love film. i wouldn't buy it for the price but i appreciate its potential place in history.

I think the call they made for half-frame is right on the money. It's been said that film is expensive, but more than ... 72exp is perfect for a fresh photog to take just one camera, buy one roll of film for the location and have just enough shot-count freedom to snap at most moments on a long weekend or whatnot they want to remember. Built-in flash makes it so you don't have to worry too much about film speed. The f3.5 makes it super forgiving to focus misjudgements. I think it's right on the money and they deserve for this thing to sell and do well.

Thanks for the review! Did you try slide film in this one? Just wondering how accurate the metering is.

It looks beautiful 📸👌

Looks really nice... But I already use an old Olympus Pen EE3, and I find it just wonderful... I've even printed some shots on 18x24 Ilford paper and they look fine...

Thanks for reviewing. I’m in if they also do a full frame

Scale focus and the price point was a huge miss for this product. Really wanted one but considering those factors it's just not worth it.

Im excited to use mine! It will nice for street😊

Gosh, I really love Pentax, those manual controls 🥰. Sad it doesn't have range finder style split focus or something. I feel I need to get one so that they come out with a 35mm one hahaha

I am getting one, simply because I want them to produce more film cameras, so we need this one to succeed; half frame is sooooo not my jam, but, light at the end of the tunnel!

I noted your mention of "your M6". Thank you for your objective views. Thank you to Ricoh Pentax.

Looks like fun and easier to carry-purse camera. Order in

huge fan of this camera so far, nice photos!

Half frame is what's appealing about a camera like that. It's great for scrapbooking and compliments a full frame camera.

When I heard it's a half-frame I wanted to close the video right away, but decided to stay, and now I think I like this one

For $500, zone focus is no good. I feel like they could have made this a rangefinder and maybe added manual shutter speed control.

I appreciate the mustache as I can now tell you and @trevlee apart more easily.

Lotta people in the comments here would be surprised what you can do with scale focus / zone focus, and how much it just gets out of the way. Half-frame is the sticking point for me. It takes me too long to get through 36, let alone 72. I hope this camera isn't make-or-break for Pentax's film camera project because it's gonna be a divisive product, that's for sure! Now, when will they make a new Ricoh GR with rock-solid metal Olympus XA-style film advance wheel?

If they made a modern film k1000 I think it would be an absolute hit.

Was going to buy this, but let down by half frame. That was a poor decision. Going to hold out for the Rollei 35AF.

I think there is a big market for this type of camera - I agree they should make a version that speaks to people that want more manual control, pro features, and some modern features to boot, but with people paying absurd prices for cameras like Contax, and disposables still being a thing this makes sense to have on the market as a film camera in 2024. Also film is expensive, creates plastic waste, chemicals to process it aren't exactly eco friendly etc so I'm not mad at more exposures per roll. It equals less waste so people can have some bokeh grain and shifted colors, lol. (No shade, i love film) Also as AI tools to up-res film scans become more accessible and refined it's also not really a valid argument against half frame resolution. I think Pentax made a reasonable choice in the design.

Like the Pentax. I do own the Olympus Pen half frame myself.

It's hard that Pentax is basing the continuation of this project on the successes of each iteration. If this camera flops, we'll never see a premium point and shoot in full frame :(

A leaf shutter with an onboard flash is genius! I don't believe there is another film camera like it