Ricoh revives film camera with new model

The Pentax 17 has a fixed focal length and manual focus range setting. It captures half-size photographs such that two 17x 24-mm pictures are captured in one 35-mm format frame.

In December 2022 Ricoh announced an R&D project for the development of new Pentax brand camera products, using the know-how of Ricoh Imaging and its Pentax division.

Ricoh said of the device: “The Pentax 17's body has a classic design, hinting at the traditional look of film cameras. The top and bottom covers are made of a solid but lightweight magnesium alloy to optimize the camera body's rigidity. With meticulous attention paid to every single detail, the Pentax 17 is designed to be a joy to own.”

The company added, “The Pentax 17 lets photographers fully enjoy the world of film cameras – the origin of photography. It is an ideal model not only for film camera enthusiasts who have enjoyed film photography for years, but also for young photographers who are excited about trying film photography for the first time.”

Ricoh said younger engineers had worked alongside established experts on the camera.

“When positioned in the normal way, it captures vertical-format pictures, identical to the familiar images captured by smartphones, which are commonly used today for picture-taking.”

Ricoh acquired Pentax Imaging in 2011.

The specialist Analogue Wonderland photography supplies site lists more than 125 types of 35-mm film, including the Fujifilm, Kodak, Ilford and Rollei brands.

(Source: PrintWeek.com)