Pentax 17 Film Camera

Seven shooting modes to accommodate different applications

Full Auto mode

The PENTAX 17 features a pan-focus mechanism with a fixed focus point, while the flash unit automatically discharges in poorly illuminated locations. This mode allows for more casual and effortless picture-taking, without worrying about camera operations.

P Standard mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, while the camera adjusts exposure to the proper level. Since the flash doesn’t discharge, this mode is highly useful in daylight photography.

Slow-speed mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge, making it ideal for twilight photography.

BOKEH 4Maximum-aperture- priority mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, without flash discharge. The camera automatically sets the largest aperture available for a given scene.

B Bulb mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone without flash discharge. This comes in handy for subjects requiring extended exposures, such as light traces or fireworks. The use of the CS-205 Cable Switch (optional accessory) and a tripod is recommended when using this mode.

Daylight sync mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera selecting the optimal exposure settings. Since the flash makes a discharge, this is ideal for photographs taken against backlight or in poorly illuminated locations.

Slow-speed sync mode

This mode lets you select the desired focus zone, with the camera making a flash discharge. This is useful in situations where you want to brightly illuminate a subject in the foreground while retaining the ambience of a nightscape or twilight in the background.

Exposure compensation mechanism for easy adjustment of brightness level

The PENTAX 17 features an independent exposure compensation dial, which lets you swiftly shift the exposure level with a simple turn, making it handy in backlit situations or in adding creative touches.

Zone-focus system to switch the in-focus area based on the subject distance

From close ranges to long distances, the PENTAX 17’s zone-focus system is divided into six zones, indicated by marks that signify each zone. All you have to do to set the camera’s focus is select the mark best suited for the distance to your subject.

About the zone focus

From close ranges to long distances, the PENTAX 17’s focus-zone system is divided into six zones, indicated by marks that signify each zone. All you have to do to set the camera’s focus is select the mark best suited for the distance to your subject.

The PENTAX 17 provides the following focus zones to select from:

Far distance

This zone sets the focus from 5.1 meters to infinity, making it ideal for scenic photography and long-distance shooting.

Medium distance

This zone sets the focus from 2.1 to 5.3 meters, making it useful for medium-range photography, such as group photos.

Close distance

This zone sets the focus from 1.4 to 2.2 meters, making it handy for taking casual snapshots of personal effects from an eye-pleasing distance.

Extremely close distance

Setting the focus from 1.0 to 1.4 meters, this zone is useful in capturing close-up photos of friends or groups.

Tabletop photo※

Setting the focus from 0.47 to 0.54 meters, this zone is perfect for capturing table-top photos at locations such as cafes and restaurants.

Macro※

Setting the focus from 0.24 to 0.26 meters, this zone is prefect for capturing fine-detailed photos of small objects, such as flowers or tiny articles, or creating dramatic macro images.

※Because the PENTAX 17 is a compact film camera, it causes a parallax in the Tabletop and Macro zones. When photographing in these zones, you are advised to frame the image using the parallax compensation frame indicated in the viewfinder.

For more fun with the film camera

Set the ISO sensitivity manually

Since the PENTAX 17 lets you manually select the ISO sensitivity setting from 50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200, it lets you try and enjoy different types of film.

Enjoy manual film winding/rewinding actions

The PENTAX 17 features an easy-loading system to prevent film-loading errors. Just insert the roll of film and pull the film leader to the film end indicator, close the camera’s back cover, and manually keep winding the film until the film counter reaches “0” (zero). After finishing the roll of film, manually rewind it to complete the manual winding/rewinding actions which are only available with film cameras.

You can even rewind the film before the entire roll is finished.

To prevent the film from being exposed to the light, load the film in a dark location without contact by direct sunlight.

Note holder to keep track of the film in use

By cutting out the end of the film package and inserting it into the camera’s note holder, you can keep track of the type of film in use with just a quick glance.

Indicator lamps to inform camera operation status and provide warnings

The PENTAX 17 provides two indicator lamps to the right of the viewfinder eyepiece. These blink as warnings to prevent operational errors, when you attempt to take pictures with the lens cap on, fail to wind the film to the next frame, or set the focus zone to Tabletop or Macro.

Installation of a camera strap

The PENTAX 17 comes equipped with three strap lugs, to assure the versatile strap installation best suited to your shooting style, whether installing the hand strap (included as a standard accessory) or suspending the camera horizontally or vertically.

Grip design for firm hold of the camera body

The PENTAX 17’s grip has been designed to provide a comfortable grip and firm hold of the camera body. Its distinctive contour assures a firm finger grip even when the camera is held vertically. The grip also serves as the battery holder, reducing the overall thickness of the camera body.

Cable switch option, useful in extended-exposure photography

The PENTAX 17 accepts the optional CS-205 Cable Switch, which comes in handy when using a tripod for scenic photography or employing extended exposures in bulb-mode shooting. The cable switch helps you capture sharp, clear photos by minimizing camera shake.