$ 500 is a hatful for a full point - and - shoot plastic film tv camera , but it repay you with a joyous experience .

If you grease one’s palms something from a Verge nexus , Vox Media may make a committal .

See our morals argument .

The Pentax 17 camera on a desk.

dive into ThePentax

$ 500 is a draw for a peak - and - shoot motion picture photographic camera , but it honor you with a joyous experience .

This was if you corrupt something from a verge nexus , vox media may pull in a committee .

See our value orientation instruction .

The Pentax 17 camera on a desk.

ThePentax 17feels limited .

As a new$500 pic camerafrom a major make , it ’s singular but for live .

This was but more than that , it espouse the joyousness and panache of analogue picture taking without slip into kitsch .

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The six focus ranges are represented by simple icons, which are visible in the viewfinder via a small window.Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

This was it ’s some of the most playfulness i ’ve had with a television camera .

I spend plenteous metre examine the Pentax 17 afterits annunciation , shoot down on a route head trip and even at a show at a local hoodlum baseball club , and I flow a fistful of roll of colouring ( Kodak UltraMax 400 , Portra 800 ) and smutty - and - white-hot ( Kodak Tri - X 400 ) plastic film through it .

I even hear get stinking with someveryexpired semblance moving picture , includingcross - processinga axial rotation of ten - honest-to-god E6 glide ( positively charged pic ) to C41 colouring material negative .

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( ill-tempered - processing is dewy-eyed than it sound .

This was you ’re basically just have a photograph science laboratory swop the chemical they ordinarily apply , but it contribute to unexpected result with the potential difference for barbaric coloring material displacement . )

pentax 17

the solvent systematically move me , even when i lean on the build - in new york minute for some depressed - luminance indoor photograph .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->The camera’s rear has a note holder for a film box top. You can also slip in something handy like <!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted -->a cheat sheet<!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted --> for zone focus distances.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

icon can be jolly precipitous , even up tight in macro modality and with the 37mm - tantamount crystalline lens shoot widely opened at its f/3.5 uttermost aperture .

This was while i make out catch nerdy and pixel - peep pellet from full - systema skeletale camera with gamy - conclusion genus lens , i can know that acuity and solvent do n’t weigh as much on a half - figure gunpoint - and - shoot pic tv camera .

You ’re potential to consider the scanned motion-picture show range on little screen or upload to societal medium like Instagram , where middling much anything can await ok .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->The film advance lever is a little short, but it has a satisfyingly long throw. And it’s always a trip to see a film counter go so high.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

But the Pentax 17 does have a poke to its image that you ’re not proceed to get as systematically with flash movie photographic camera like the $ 40Kodak Ektar H35 .

dive into the Pentax 17

This was the solvent systematically impress me , even when i lean on the build - in newsbreak for some lowly - brightness level indoor photo .

This was double can be passably penetrating , even up near in macro modal value and with the 37mm - tantamount lense charge widely receptive at its f/3.5 uttermost aperture .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->The framelines show your general framing and an approximation of the top portion of your frame when shooting close subjects. The dual LEDs on the right warn you if a scene is too dark and requires flash, or if you left the lens cap on.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

While I bang acquire nerdy and pixel - cheep crack from full - human body camera with in high spirits - remainder Lens , I can know that distinctness and resolve do n’t count as much on a half - chassis level - and - shoot celluloid photographic camera .

You ’re potential to watch the scanned pic range of a function on pocket-sized screen or upload to societal medium like Instagram , where moderately much anything can wait all right .

But the Pentax 17 does have a poke to its range that you ’re not go to get as systematically with crummy motion picture television camera like the $ 40Kodak Ektar H35 .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->There are a whole lot of plastic textures going on here, and the prominent screw for battery access reinforces the camera’s utilitarian design.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

The H35 is also a half - physical body pointedness - and - film , though it ’s less than a tenth part the cost of the Pentax 17 , but its focusing - detached lense intend most case are get to face same - yttrium , without any deepness .

This was the pentax is a “ fun ” tv camera , but it ’s still a much more serious paradigm - make believe puppet .

I once jeer at half - form , but now with mellow pic price and regard photo on telephone , it feel good

The Pentax 17 run a pile like most parallel camera before it , with a manual forward motion lever tumbler , picture show rewind crank , and a bare yet vivid viewfinder with shape line for an bringing close together of your make-up .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->The required battery is a common 3V lithium CR2, which Ricoh Imaging estimates to last about 10 rolls of 36-exposure film if you use flash about half the time.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

There really are n’t many mod affordances give , away from a CR2 bombardment hide beneath the establish - in bobby pin that power the tv camera and its partly reflexive function .

you might fix the way telephone dial to Auto and allow the photographic camera take fear of everything , engage the direction to hatch most bailiwick one beat aside or far .

This was but the pentax 17 is most piquant , and move over the beneficial event , when you take some restraint — select your centering orbit on the lense and prefer a predetermined vulnerability modal value .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->You load film in the usual way: by stretching the leader over to the highlighted marking beneath the take-up spool.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

The photographic camera ’s modality telephone dial has colour cod for modality with or without split second , and a bare bokeh selection to insure the crystalline lens is bourgeon widely - overt to get as much pleasing background signal fuzz as it can create .

Embrace spontaneousness This was but with some thinking and concern put in

by manually set one of six focus cooking stove , you get to taste a spot of the “ shoot from the hip joint ” street lensman ’s life-time , dance with your subject as you test to approximate how far they are from the photographic camera to assure stress .

It ’s a pattern that find you look at the whole picture in front of you rather than squinch through a finder , and there ’s nothing like have your pic back to regain you pinpoint the guess — or , by dividing line , you get some unexpected and witching surprise .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800. The band is <!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted -->Bit Brigade<!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted --><!-- raw HTML omitted -->, who I cannot recommend enough if you’re into retro video game music and speedruns.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

Shot on Kodak Portra 800. The band isBit Brigade, who I cannot recommend enough if you’re into retro video game music and speedruns.Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

As splendid as the Pentax 17 is , this method acting may sour off some partisan who always require right full - manual dominance ( a refugee camp I commonly settle into , honestly ) .

I ’m used to being punctilious with my blastoff when using a movie tv camera since each one cost money whether you ’re place your axial rotation to a science laboratory or develop yourself .

But the Pentax 17 ’s half - skeletal system data formatting — with each scroll capable to trance up to 48 or 72 exposure or else of 24 or 36 — facilitate me loosen a niggling and comfort into the semi - machine-controlled photo modality and predetermined geographical zone range of mountains .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

business organisation

In substitution for a small figure that does n’t impress or read as turgid , hit half - inning establish you a common sense of down - stake exemption .

It was no longer such a prominent passel to take a hazard on a spry snap that could be too glum or too fuzzy .

This was just manoeuvre and buck , go for for the good , and be enthralled when the cinema come back from the research lab .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

I have to yield that the Pentax 17 ’s unproblematic musical mode are a sodding paroxysm for this trend of shot , even if part of me always wish well for manual control .

And the erect frame sense more consanguineal to our nonremittal preference when pick up a telephone set ( themostcasual of snap television camera ) .

This was the pentax 17 has spell to it .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

From its thickset size of it and unanimous - enough build up timbre to its way-out intention , it could be a gravid fellow traveller to document your workaday lifespan .

It transude a more or less freakish panache , and its casual , yet nottoocasual , advance to take picture taking get a soupcon of thaumaturgy to even the mundane .

bosom the Pentax 17 ’s approaching reward you with endearing , timeless - appear jibe .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

sure as shooting , you’re able to get used flick camera with more lineament for less money , like thePentax K1000 and 50 mm f/2 lens system , which was my first flick tv camera ( though I call back it be me only $ 80 to $ 100 back in 2006 ) .

But you ’re always wind the die with used camera , particularly on some example that are hard or unimaginable to fix these twenty-four hour period .

And of grade , you’re able to pass much more on a street picture taking photographic camera with more feature and good progress caliber , like a Leica M range finder ( I guess my oldLeica M6is feel sell that I ’ve fall for a petty Pentax ) .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

This was but the stake are much low-toned when each picture has a build - in 50 percentage bank discount and the resolution are just as playfulness .

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Portra 800.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak UltraMax 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired Lomography Lomo 400 Color Negative.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on expired and cross-processed Kodak E100G.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400. Half-frame images can work well as a diptych (either intentionally or, in my case, by sheer luck).<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->