BTN News: In a surprising twist during the digital reign of photography, Pentax recently took the wraps off the Pentax 17, a new film camera aimed to help keep the wave of analog experiences prized by the ephemeral and in the know crowd flowing despite its wish to hold out. Styled as a tip of the hat to traditional movie cameras, the Pentax 17 sports an initial half-frame layout, making it an unique offering to photographers looking for a new way of seeing the world around them.
Introduction to Innovation in Design and Features
Unlike the digital versions, which capture a 17 x 20 mm frame, the Pentax 17 produces a vertical 17 x 24 mm frame and nearly 72 exposures from a standard 36-exposure roll of 35 mm film. In addition to being easily shared on social media, another advantage offered by vertical photography is that you have twice as many photos on a roll of 120 film, meaning savings in film costs in the long run as well.
Manual Control & Flexibility
Long a proponent of the latter, the Pentax 17 admittedly sheds much of the functionality preferred by traditional SLR shooters. The camera seemingly sports a zone focusing system with six manual focus distance options and a 37mm full-frame equivalent lens. This focuses as close as 25mm for macro shots. Artistic versatility is also increased with a 40.5 mm filter thread to accommodate a variety of creative filters and effects.
User-Friendly Interface
The top plate of the Pentax 17 incorporates such user-friendly controls as exposure compensation and ISO selection dials, plus six shooting modes that range from program AE to full auto. This manual.whole of automated combo makes the lens versatile in the hands of an amateur as well as a seasoned photographer.
Analog Experience Redefined
The Pentax 17 provides the final touch on its retro charm through a manual film advance lever and a rewind crank, just like in some classic film bodies. A nice touch is the note holder on the rear cover which is perfect for anyone using film and wanting to easily identify the film stock used.
Implications for the Market and Pricing
With a retail price of $499 in the US (€549 in Europe), the Pentax 17 is priced competitively given the niche but growing market segment that is showing ample interest in the revival of film photography. Pentax might actually be on to something, considering the already small but growing film camera market, with the global film camera market expected to expand at a steady CAGR over the next five years.
Future Outlook
Truth to be told, at Ricoh, Pentax’s parent company, is well aware of the video camera sales flow, but the recent revival of the film photography beast, fueled by social media and some enterprise market forecasts. Once the Pentax 17 goes on sale late in June, industry observers believe this will lead to success and a subsequent return to traditional photography by other manufacturers as well.
Conclusion
Presuming the Pentax 17 does come out in the near future, there will be the implications in terms of photographers and industry alike. Whether it will initiate a trend back toward analog photography remains to be seen, but its introduction is a significant milestone in the progress of photographic technology.
The Pentax 17 is a bold gamble by Pentax that film photography still has a place in the world, while also trying to carve out a relatively untapped market for discerning photographers who demand equal parts nostalgia and innovation.
