In the year-and-a-half since Ricoh released their Pentax half-frame camera, much has been written about its design, about the company hitting the pause button on their film camera development after the mixed response to their new offering, and the departure of the principle designer, Takeo Suzuki (AKA TKO) last Spring.
This is not a review of the camera. Hamish already did that nicely in his comprehensive June 2024 post.
This is just about how much FUN it has been to use.
Being small and pocketable, the Pentax 17 is the perfect “everyday carry” camera. And with the diptychs that the half-frame format encourages, it gets you looking and shooting differently.
Because of its ease of use and the 72 frames per roll it makes possible, the camera also inspires you to shoot it more. It’s actually a challenge to finish an entire roll before you get itchy to develop it and see the photos you’ve taken.
The lens is sharp-ish. The metering works well. The flash recovers quickly. And in spite of its light weight, the build quality seems solid. Not Leica M3 solid, but good for a $500 camera.
The only design flaw is the Mode dial, which too easily slips out of position. Without knowing it, you find yourself shooting “Bokeh” when you intended to be using P, the “Program”setting. (By the way, I find that P delivers sharper images than the “Auto” does. There is a P setting for flash, too.)
A few samples follow, but the Pentax 17 album on my Flickr account affords full size images, and — hopefully — a better overview of what it can do.
If you want a camera that allows you to have fun, think differently, and get LOTS of photos on one roll of film, the Pentax 17 might be just the ticket. I love mine.
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Charles Young on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
I have a simple ancient Olympus Pen half-frame camera. A gift from my dad. It works just fine (maybe made in the early 1960s), and selenium-cell light meters (no batteries!) I like to load my film cartridges with short rolls (about 12 full frame exposures) so I can see the results sooner.
Chuck
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
Michael Riches on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
andy hertig on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
I bought one last fall too, since the price was good. Because I have so many cameras, it takes a very, very long time to use up a roll of film; but the surprise is all the greater after developing it.
Cheers and have fun with it!
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
Art Meripol on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
Comment posted: 22/01/2026
nyc on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 23/01/2026
Comment posted: 23/01/2026
Maureen Bond on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 23/01/2026
Comment posted: 23/01/2026
Russ Rosener on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 25/01/2026
You definitely have mastered the art of the decisive snapshot.
Comment posted: 25/01/2026
Paul Taylor on 5 (ish) Frames with a Pentax 17 – The Much-Maligned Camera that might just be my Favorite
Comment posted: 25/01/2026
The other funny thing I noticed about the 17- is the amount of “love” it received in comparison to the Fuji Xhalf. All the sudden vocal critics of the 17 were praising it when compared to the Fuji. My block/unsubscribe button was in overdrive when this starting happening.
I bought a 17 soon as the pre-orders opened. I wanted one to replace my aging and temperamental Minolta Hi-Matics. The camera has delivered. I have loaned it out to several friends - who all loved it and bought their owns. I think as the years wander on the 17 will become more and more appreciated.
Comment posted: 25/01/2026