Why I Decided to Test the Pentax 17 at a Wedding

On September 13, 2025, I, Vladimir Nadtochiy, joined my wife Alexandra Nadtochiy as the second photographer at a wedding in Toronto. Alongside my professional Sony setup, I decided to bring the Pentax 17, Ricoh’s brand-new half-frame film camera.

Unlike vintage compacts like the Olympus Mju-II, the Pentax 17 is brand new (released in 2024), with fresh optics, a warranty, and no hidden issues like light leaks, hazy viewfinders, or moldy lenses. For me, this was crucial — on eBay or at thrift shops you can still find working film cameras, but they’re 20–30 years old. I wanted a camera I could trust at an actual wedding without worrying about whether it would jam mid-roll.

I purchased my Pentax 17 in September 2025 on Canadian Amazon for CAD 679.99 (link to camera). I paired it with Kodak Portra 400 (film link), a stock I know well and use often.

Technical Overview of the Pentax 17

The Pentax 17 is a half-frame film camera:

• Frame size: 17×24 mm (two shots per standard 35mm frame)
• Lens: 25mm f/3.5 (≈37mm full-frame equivalent)
• Zone focusing system: Six positions (0.25 m, 0.5 m, 1.2 m, 1.7 m, 3 m, ∞)
• Exposure modes: Program auto, with exposure compensation (+/- 2 stops)
• Flash: Built-in, charges in a few seconds
• Viewfinder: Optical with framelines
• Film advance: Manual lever, manual rewind
• Weight: ~290 g (light and pocketable)

Key advantage: Half-frame format

On a standard 36-exposure roll, you get 72 photos. For film shooters, this dramatically reduces the cost per frame. In Toronto, developing + scanning one roll costs me CAD 50–55. With the Pentax 17, that’s effectively half the cost per shot.

Shooting a Toronto Wedding with the Pentax 17

Bridal Preparations

The camera worked beautifully during the morning. With flash on, the look was straight out of the 90s — bright, direct, and nostalgic. Perfect for capturing details like shoes, vows, rings, and candid moments of bridesmaids getting ready.

I deliberately set the ISO dial to 100 even though I was shooting Portra 400 — this way I overexposed by two stops. Combined with exposure compensation (+1 or +2 near windows), the results were soft, airy, and flattering.

Ceremony at the Orthodox Church

This was the camera’s weak spot. The f/3.5 lens is too slow for dark interiors. Without flash, many shots came out underexposed. Sure, I could have used a tripod or night mode, but as a second shooter I was busy assisting Alexandra. In these conditions, a faster lens (like f/2.8 or f/2) would have been more suitable.

Outdoor Portraits

Here the Pentax 17 really shined. With good daylight, skin tones from Portra 400 were gorgeous, and the half-frame aesthetic made portraits feel vintage yet vibrant. Zone focusing at 1.7 m or 3 m was quick and intuitive.

Reception and Dance Floor

With flash, the Pentax 17 produced classic direct-flash wedding party vibes. The half-frame look made the series of dance floor shots feel like a photo diary, capturing energy and emotion without overthinking composition.

Pros of Using Pentax 17 for Weddings

• Double the frames: 72 shots per roll is a huge advantage.
• Lightweight and compact: Easy to carry alongside two professional cameras.
• Fresh optics: No dust, haze, or scratches like old film compacts.
• Zone focusing is simple: After a few rolls, you estimate distances naturally.
• Battery life is excellent: After 4 rolls (mostly with flash), the first battery still worked.

Cons and Limitations

• f/3.5 lens: Too slow for dim churches or receptions without flash.
• Flash charging delay: A couple of seconds can cost you spontaneous shots.
• No full manual control: For experienced photographers, this feels limiting.
• Half-frame resolution: Enlargements won’t be as sharp as full 35mm, but for Instagram, websites, or prints up to medium size it’s more than enough.

Comparing Pentax 17 vs Olympus Mju-II

• Availability: Olympus is discontinued; Pentax 17 is brand-new.
• Lens: Mju-II has a faster f/2.8 lens, better in low light.
• Reliability: With Pentax 17, you get modern electronics and warranty.
• Frames per roll: Olympus gives 36 shots, Pentax doubles that to 72.
• Price: A clean Mju-II often costs USD 800+ on eBay. Pentax 17 is still cheaper brand-new.

For me, the 72 shots per roll outweighed the speed advantage of the Olympus lens.

My Final Thoughts

The Pentax 17 is not a perfect wedding camera, but it’s an excellent creative tool. It won’t replace your main digital setup, yet it brings authentic film character to a wedding gallery. Clients love seeing film shots alongside digital coverage — it feels special, unique, and timeless.

If you’re a wedding photographer in Toronto or anywhere else and want to bring film into your workflow without relying on fragile vintage gear, the Pentax 17 is worth considering.

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