Like cassettes and vinyl information (and even dumb telephones), movie pictures is having a resurgence. Nonetheless, getting your fingers on a brand new turntable or cassette deck is less complicated than a brand new 35mm movie digital camera except you need a toy digital camera or a $5,600 Leica Rangefinder. The brand new Pentax 17 I lately shot with fills that want with a terrific mix of guide operation and point-and-shoot efficiency in a compact design.
Whereas it is simple sufficient to discover a used digital camera, the thought for the $500 Pentax 17 is to offer these new to taking pictures movie an possibility with out worrying concerning the situation of the digital camera or lens. The digital camera’s options are a step above the $400 Lomo LC-Broad and effectively past the bare-bones $45 Kodak Ektar H35. It is a half-frame 35mm digital camera, so that you get two 24-by-17mm photos for every 35mm body. Movie costs are fairly excessive, as is growing, so getting 72 pictures from a roll of 36 definitely helps. Plus, the vertical frames are extra in keeping with telephone pictures.
The Pentax 17 is a half-frame digital camera, so that you get two pictures for each 35mm movie body.
The Pentax 17 makes use of an Albada bright-frame viewfinder with composition frames for regular and close-distance pictures. It has an f3.5 37mm lens (35mm equal) based mostly on optics from the Pentax Espio Mini, which is redesigned for the half-frame format. Actually, a number of of the design options are borrowed from previous Pentax cameras, together with the guide movie advance lever and shutter launch, the guide movie rewind meeting and the built-in flash.
The digital camera makes use of a zone-focus system from 0.8-foot to infinity.
As an alternative of full guide or autofocus, the digital camera makes use of a zone-focus system with six zones: 0.8, 1.7, 4, 5.6, 10 ft and infinity (0.25, 0.5, 1.2, 1.7, 3 meters and infinity). Simply twist the dial across the lens to the pictograph representing what you are taking pictures, and also you’re performed. If you cannot bear in mind the topic distance for every zone, they’re marked under the lens, and you may see the pictograph by means of the viewfinder to double-check the setting.
Focal zone distances are listed under the lens.
Shutter speeds vary from 1/350th to 4 seconds. There’s additionally a Bulb setting and an non-compulsory cable swap offered individually so you do not inadvertently shake the digital camera whereas holding the shutter open. There are two units of taking pictures modes — with flash and with out — and in between them on the dial is a Full Auto mode that makes use of the built-in metering to set off the flash.
Along with Full Auto, there’s a normal Program, Sluggish-speed Shutter and Bokeh (most aperture precedence) with out flash. With the flash, there is a Program (daylight sync) and a Sluggish-speed Program. There’s additionally a ±2EV publicity compensation dial on the alternative aspect of the viewfinder from the mode dial.
The mode dial is cut up into modes with flash and with out, with a Full Auto mode in between.
The guide controls — from loading the movie to advancing frames — give it the tactility that is lacking from easy point-and-shoot movie cameras just like the Kodak I discussed earlier. And it is undoubtedly lacking from the telephone pictures expertise. The physique is comparatively light-weight at 10.2 ounces (290 grams), and though it isn’t slim (partly due to the right-hand grip that holds the only CR2 lithium battery), holding it in a backpack or jacket pocket is not a difficulty. The Pentax 17 is generally plastic, however the high and backside are magnesium alloy, which provides it a nicer appear and feel. I want metallic had been used for the dials, movie advance lever and shutter launch, however balancing prices (and weight, for that matter) cannot be simple.
Pentax included a be aware holder on the again to carry the tab from the tip of the movie bundle.
The digital camera helps 9 ISO speeds: 50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200. A guide winder on high pops open the again, letting you drop a roll in shortly. With about 4 or 5 cranks of the advance lever, you are prepared to start out taking pictures. A be aware holder on the again cowl offers you a spot to tear off the tab from the movie bundle, so what movie you are taking pictures.
I have not shot movie in a couple of decade, aside from with an prompt digital camera. I am excited to see the outcomes from the roll I shot with the Pentax 17. (Nicely, apart from the primary few pictures the place I forgot to take the lens cap off; there’s a warning mild to the proper of the viewfinder to assist stop that, too.) Just like the imperfections of information and cassettes, movie images appear extra actual than digital images. Holding a print that I shot with out with the ability to magically take away the failings is one thing particular. And whereas the digital camera, movie and processing aren’t low cost, taking pictures movie can change how you consider pictures and capturing your folks, household and experiences.
