Finally Complete! Modern Film Camera 'PENTAX 17' Officially Announced | Release #226
cover image by miho
Today marks a special day for the photography industry.
The culmination of PENTAX's film camera project, the 'PENTAX 17', was officially announced on their official YouTube channel, moving many fans to tears with its touching message. The editorial team at cizucu watched it with sleepy eyes early in the morning, deeply moved. It's been about a year since we covered the project's launch news last May. Kudos to the PENTAX team for their hard work.
A Camera Born from the Passion of Engineers
PENTAX's challenge this time was not just a revival of an old film camera. It is a new film camera that inherits technology from veteran engineers nearing retirement and integrates modern technology. This endeavor holds timeless value.
The Thrill of Analog Operation
Every part of the 'PENTAX 17', the shutter sound, the feel of film winding. These elements revive the charm of analog in the modern era, offering hope that the film culture may continue into the future. While some might find the analog camera shapes shown in the video outdated, their appeal is significant. The texture and usability are unparalleled. The shutter sound has a pleasant click, and the film winding sensation is smooth.
A Step Towards the Future
The film camera project was not an easy journey. The challenge of going against the tide of the digital age must have come with many difficulties. Developing a film camera with many film-era engineers retired from the field was undoubtedly a daunting task. The attitude of learning from failures and continuing to move forward is the path to success. PENTAX has taken a step forward in addressing the challenges of film camera development. We want to send our support to their attitude.
As of June 18, 2024, it is sold overseas for $499.95 (approximately 70,000 yen in Japanese currency). It is expected to be released domestically soon. Once released, I would like to purchase it immediately and try out its operation.
