Pentax 17 - 35mm Film Camera - with fast TRACKED shipping

I was lucky enough to receive my Pentax 17 as a 70th Birthday present. As a lifelong Pentax user (I bought my SP 1000 in 1971) it had all the hallmarks and handling of a Pentax and a lot of wonderful retro design features. But what is it like as a camera? I've now put several rolls of film through so I thought it was worth a follow up.
First of all, the half frame images are fine. Its not a format that really gained traction previously but I think lenses have developed, as sensors have got smaller, and I think the image quality is fine.
Second, having so many images on a film takes a bit of getting used to; 72+ can take a while to shoot but I've gone a bit digital in that I can now take several similar pictures when as a film user I might only have taken one.
Third, the zone focussing is fine although I occasionally get it wrong! But with so many images on the film you can always take another ... if you realise you are on the wrong zone, that is.
Fourth, the error lights start by being irritating but eventually they become a lifeline. Basic rule is that if you get an error light of whatever colour, stop and check - usually you havent wound on but occasionally the lens cap is on or you are on Macro.
Fifth, the flash isn't wonderful for anything other than quite close, but that is not unexpected. A hot shoe would have been nice, but I have been using a very ancient Pentax Slave unit to supplement with OK results.
So what about the images? Using Ultramax mainly I've found the images sharp and equivalent to the Canon 300 SLR which has been my go to camera till now. Unless you need more zoom its almost impossible to justify carrying round a bigger and heavier camera than this. I bought the Long Weekend case from AW and it fits perfectly, and then hides away in a coat or trouser pocket until it is required.
My only disappointments were related to the weather when in a desire to finish the roll I took a number of pictures on a cold, wet and windy day in Scarborough. I suspect even a Leica would have struggled.
Overall I have nothing but praise for this fantastic piece of kit. Well done Pentax for propelling yourselves back to the forefront of Camera design, a place you should never have left.

When I wrote my initial review I had taken just a few images on a Photowalk and hadn't seen the results of my own efforts. However I have just received a roll of Ultramax back from AW with Premium scans and thought I would share a few thoughts!
The Zone focussing takes a bit of getting used to, I've done this in the past but autofocus is almost universal now. Also using A mode means that things quite close to the lens aren't in focus. Its a learning curve but I don't think a long one.
The Portrait mode isn't as irritating as I thought it would be, we are used to phone images like this and its easy to turn the camera around.
Although half frame the lens is sharp and the images don't seem reduced in any way by the format.
Macro is good and the 25cm wrist cord seems to work well as a distance measure (see fruit photo).
The images themselves were crisp and clean, and Ultramax 400 seems an ideal film for this camera. Having bought my first Pentax over 50 years ago, and having had all manner of Pentaxes since, its an absolute joy to be shooting with a new Pentax film camera again. There is something unique about the brand and this camera continues the tradition.
I'm making this lovely piece of kit my number 1 camera - currently pausing my longstanding passion for the 110 format (Pentax of course).

I bought this camera as soon as it came to AW, as my £50 Ektar 35 had just broken down on only it's 2nd roll. I figured at £500 the P17 would let me do 20 rolls at least before that happened 😆.
I've put 3 rolls through it now, and it has a well made, solid feel to it, but comfortable to have in your pocket, so it's fast become my daily walk about camera. It has zone focusing symbols, which I'm familiar with from having a Holga, with the corresponding feet/meters shown at the bottom of the focus ring, and the symbols show up in the viewfinder too. The wrist strap is also a 23cm measuring guide for taking macro shots which is handy. The lens is glass and renders images nice and sharp.
Why only 4 stars?
1) The great big loose screw holding the battery compartment on the camera. a) it's ugly, and b) it's easy for old fumble-fingers to have it slip onto the floor and require creaky~knee bending to retrieve it. A hinge would be kinder.
2) The programme wheel is easy to accidentally alter when winding the film on and if you don't realise that, you end up shooting in bulb mode when really you wanted to be in P.
3) Really don't care for symbols or measurements, would have preferred a manual focus.

But on the whole a sturdy little piece of kit that has already become my favourite P&S. Well worth the money.

Nice little compact camera, and half-frame means up to 72 shots per roll! To my surprise, and with a little care, it will take selfies too. What's not to like?

There’s no excuse for me not to carry this with me everywhere, which is exactly why I wanted it. It’s for the snapshot and it does it so well.