I’ve seen the Pentax 17 only through images, but I have already fallen in love. Featured image from Ricoh website.

In the summer of 2012, after a few months of using my new camera, the Olympus E-M5, I decided to sell my last film camera, the silver Leica M6 non-TTL, which also marked the end of my 16 years of film photography. Before the E-M5, I found digital cameras to be either too bulky or lacking in image quality. The E-M5 was the first to offer both the compact size and image quality I desired.

Digital has always surpassed film in convenience, but it also means digital cameras often lack the mechanical vibe of film cameras. For non-professional work, I prefer using my Fujifilm X100F with its error-prone optical viewfinder and slow autofocus. I know that the X100F, unlike my A7RIII, will result in a bunch of missed shots, but the A7RIII just doesn’t deliver the same level of fun.

However, there’s a limit to how much inconvenience and error can translate to fun. Beyond that limit, it only leads to frustration. For me, film falls into this category. I respect those who continue to support traditional methods and I’m pleased that the Pentax 17 is a new product that this sector desperately needed. But no, I will not go back to film. It’s too much work and too costly for me.

I wish the Pentax 17 would also come out with a digital version, targeted at people like me. They already have a good-looking body, so why not fill the innards with digital components? The half-frame format is identical to APS-C, so just add an APS-C digital sensor with the same viewfinder and lens. To match the viewfinder, place the sensor in portrait orientation. It will be quirky but perfect for short-form videos. It could spark a new TikTok craze, possibly even stronger than the one with the Fujifilm X100V.