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Ricoh Imaging is pleased to announce the new PENTAX 17 Half Frame 35mm Film Camera. The PENTAX 17 is a half-frame camera, capturing two 17mm x 24mm vertically oriented pictures within a single 35mm-format (36mm x 24mm) film frame, allowing 72 pictures to be taken with a standard 36 exposure roll of 35mm film.
In addition to the distinctive image quality created only by a film camera, the design of the PENTAX 17 incorporates manual operations unique to film photography: a selectable zone focus system, manual film winding, manual film advance lever, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity adjustments, each with their own dials. It has a retro-inspired design, with the top and bottom covers made of a solid but lightweight magnesium alloy to optimize the camera body’s rigidity.
The PENTAX 17 features a newly developed 25mm F/3.5 lens (equivalent to a 37mm lens in the standard 35mm format). The lens is treated with a high definition coating to optimize clarity and sharpness. The optical viewfinder features an Albada-type bright frame finder and has a close up visual field compensation frame to help compose close-up images more easily. The camera has seven shooting modes to accommodate different applications and scenarios. It automatically adjusts exposure settings based on lighting data collected by its metering sensor.
It is an ideal camera for experienced film photography enthusiasts and first time shooters alike.
The PENTAX 17 features the "half frame" 35mm format. When holding the camera in the standard orientation, it captures a vertically-oriented 17mm x 24mm image; a similar ratio to images captured by smartphones. Two of these smaller vertical images fit within the standard 35mm "full frame," allowing users to take 72 pictures with a 36 exposure roll of 35mm film.
A manual film advance lever and rewinding crank based on those incorporated in PENTAX-brand SLR film cameras allow the user to enjoy the unique sounds and feel of a traditional film camera. An easy-loading system is designed to prevent film loading errors.
The PENTAX 17 features a newly developed 25mm F/3.5 lens (37mm equiv. in standard 35mm format) with a 40.5mm filter thread mount. Using the lens in the RICOH Auto Half (a best-selling half frame camera first marketed in 1962) as a reference, the angle of view and focal length were selected to make casual, everyday picture-taking simple and flawless. Based on the optics incorporated in the acclaimed PENTAX Espio Mini (marketed in 1994), the lens has been redesigned to fit perfectly in the half frame format and treated with an HD (High Definition) coating, which enhances clarity and sharpness.
The camera features a built-in light meter and seven adjustable shooting modes. In addition to the Full Auto mode, in which all exposure settings are automatically selected by the camera, other settings like Slow-Speed Sync (handy for twilight) and Bulb (useful for nighttime long exposures) expand the user's control. Independent ISO (50-3200) and Exposure compensation (±2EV in 1/3 EV increments) are also available to fine-tune each exposure to the shooter's satisfaction.
From close-ups to long distances, the PENTAX 17’s zone-focus system is divided into six focus zones, indicated by easy to understand icons. In the "Macro" focus zone, the user can capture a close-up photo from approximately 25 cm (10 in) away. The included hand strap lets the user measure subject distance more accurately.
The PENTAX 17’s optical viewfinder features Albada-type framelines that help the user compose their images. For close-up images, use the internal set of lines. The selected zone focus mode's icons are visible through the viewfinder for quick referencing/confirmation.
Camera Type: Half-frame behind-the-lens shutter 35mm film camera
Frame Size: 24×17mm
Compatible Film: 35mm film
ISO Sensitivity Setting: Manual settings to match the film (50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200)
Film Loading: Easy loading
Film Advance: Manual winding lever with 130-degree stroke and 35-degree stand-off angle
Film Rewind: Manual rewinding using rewind crank. Mid-roll rewinding possible. Lens: HD PENTAX Lens
Focal Length: 25mm (equivalent to 37mm in 35mm format)
Maximum Aperture: F3.5
Lens Configuration: 3 elements in 3 groups
Angle of View (Diagonal): 61°
Maximum Magnification: Approx. 0.13x (at 0.25m)
Filter Diameter: φ40.5mm
Viewfinder Type: Albada bright-frame viewfinder
Viewfinder Indication: Composition frame, Close-distance composition frame
Zone focusing setting can be confirmed through the viewfinder
Viewfinder Outer Right: Blue lamp display: Warning display, Orange lamp display: Flash display
Focusing Type: Zone-focusing (Manual operation）
Switchover Distance: 6 zones (0.25m, 0.5m, 1.2m, 1.7m, 3m, ∞) (0.82ft, 1.7ft, 4ft, 5.6ft, 10ft, ∞)
Metering Type: Partial metering
Metering Range: EV2.5 to 16.5 (ISO100)
Exposure Compensation: ±2EV (1/3EV steps)
Shooting Modes (Exposure): Full auto (Pan focus program AE, Auto flash), Standard (Program AE, Flash off), Slow-speed shutter (Slow-speed program AE, Flash off), Maximum aperture priority (Maximum aperture priority program AE, Flash off), Bulb (Bulb, Flash off), Daylight sync (Program AE, Flash on), Slow-speed sync (Slow-speed program AE, Flash on)
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
Flash Charging Status: Can be checked with the orange lamp at viewfinder outer right. Charging status: blinking. Charging completion status: lighting.
Battery Type: One 3V lithium battery (CR2). Not compatible with rechargeable CR2 type batteries.
Battery Life: Approx. 10 36 exposure rolls (using fresh battery under the condition of 50% flash shots according to the result of RICOH IMAGING in-house testing.
Cable Switch Terminal: Compatible with cable switch CS-205 (optional) (φ2.5mm)
Dimensions: Approx. 127.0(W) × 78.0 (H) × 52.0(D)mm / 5.0(W) × 3.1(H) × 2.0(D)inches (excluding protruding parts)
Weight: Approx. 290g / 10.2oz (without film and battery)
Operating Temperature: 0 to 40°C
Operating Humidity: 85% or less (the environment must be free of condensation)
Package Contents: Lens cap O-LC40.5, Strap O-ST191, Lithium Battery CR2