Section 05

Exposure & film guide

Set the film’s ISO yourself. The camera controls exposure in every mode except Bulb; the compensation dial lets you adjust the metered exposure.

Source: Official PENTAX 17 Operating Manual, pp. 14–15, 23–26, 29–30, 33–35. Page numbers refer to the printed manual.

Film and ISO

Use 35 mm film with up to 36 exposures. Half-frame gives twice the stated count: 48 photos from a 24-exposure roll, or 72 from a 36-exposure roll.
The supported ISO settings are 50, 100, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200. Infrared film is incompatible.
Press the ISO dial’s lock release button and turn the dial to match the film. Set it every time you load a roll; sensitivity is not read automatically.
The dots on the dial stand for 125, 160, 400 and 1600.
Tell your developing lab the roll is half-frame. Follow the film manufacturer’s processing instructions.

The camera manual does not prescribe film brands, stock-specific color looks or routine overexposure. For a straightforward first roll, use a supported film and set its stated ISO.

Exposure compensation

The top-plate dial adjusts exposure from −2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps. Pentax describes it as useful for white or black subjects, backlit subjects, or intentionally brighter or darker photos.

`−1 EV`

Half the exposure

Reduce exposure relative to the camera’s metered setting.

`0 EV`

Metered exposure

Start here with the ISO set to match the film.

`+1 EV`

Twice the exposure

Increase exposure relative to the camera’s metered setting.

Check the dial before shooting and return it to 0 when you no longer need the correction. The final appearance depends on the film, processing and scan or print; an EV setting does not guarantee a particular look.

In Bulb, ISO and exposure compensation are disabled. The aperture is fixed at f/3.5 and you control how long the shutter stays open.

Flash range and close-ups

Wait for the orange lamp to stay lit before taking a flash photo. Charging takes approximately 9 seconds according to the specifications.

ISO 100: Approximate reach: the close-distance zone, 1.4–2.2 m.
ISO 400 or higher: Approximate reach: the medium-distance zone, 2.1–5.3 m.

These are rough reach guides, not minimum subject distances or guarantees in every scene. For tabletop or macro flash photos, Pentax recommends ISO 100: high-ISO film can overexpose. Illumination may be uneven at these close distances, particularly with a filter or hood attached; remove those accessories.

Use daylight sync for handheld flash shooting. Slow-speed sync can expose for up to 4 seconds, so Pentax recommends a tripod and optional CS-205 cable switch.

What the meter and viewfinder tell you

The specified metering range is EV 2.5–16.5 at ISO 100. The electronic shutter’s overall range is 1/350 s to 4 s, plus Bulb; the available behavior depends on the shooting mode.

The optical viewfinder shows composition frames and the selected focus zone. It does not display a live exposure preview or the chosen shutter speed and aperture. Half-press the shutter to meter and check the warning lamps.

The exposure warning is not displayed in Bulb or when flash charging is complete. A dark blue lamp does not confirm correct exposure or focus.

Filters

The lens takes 40.5 mm filters. Use a single filter with a thin rim; stacking filters can obstruct the metering area.

Colored or density filters can affect exposure. Pentax recommends test shots and exposure compensation, and warns that compensation may not work as expected with some colored filters for black-and-white film. Do not assume the meter will automatically correct for every filter.