Section 01
Choose how the camera sets exposure and whether it uses flash. AUTO uses fixed focus; all six other modes use the zone focusing ring.
Source: Official PENTAX 17 Operating Manual, p. 14; pp. 22–26, 34. Page numbers refer to the printed manual.
The camera sleeps after more than a minute without use. Half-press the shutter to wake it; half-press also meters the scene and shows any lamp warnings.
Dial overview
“Moon” means the crescent symbol on the dial. “+ flash” means the position with a lightning-bolt symbol on the flash side of the dial.
AUTO Fixed focus and automatic flash.
Use for Simple snapshots of subjects at least 1 m away.
Avoid Tabletop and macro close-ups. AUTO does not support these distances; select a zone-focus mode instead.
P Automatic exposure with the flash off.
Use for General shooting when you want to choose the focus zone and keep flash off.
Avoid Ignoring a fast blue exposure warning. Check the cap and lighting before taking a photo.
Moon Slow automatic exposures without flash.
Use for Dim scenes where you want to record the available light. Pentax recommends a tripod and optional CS-205 cable switch.
Avoid Camera or subject movement during a long exposure; both can blur the photo.
BOKEH Prioritizes the lens’s widest aperture.
Use for Photos where you want a softer background. Match the focus zone to the subject distance.
Avoid Treating this as a manual aperture setting. The manual calls it a priority program, not a fixed-aperture guarantee.
B Hold the shutter button to keep the exposure going.
Use for Timed long exposures. Pentax recommends a tripod and optional CS-205 cable switch.
Avoid Relying on automatic exposure: ISO and exposure compensation settings are disabled. You choose the exposure duration.
P + flash Program exposure with flash on.
Use for Backlit subjects or subjects in shadow. Pentax recommends this over slow-speed sync for handheld flash photos.
Avoid Subjects beyond flash range. Approximate reach: close-distance zone at ISO 100; medium-distance zone at ISO 400 or higher.
Moon + flash Flash for the subject, slow exposure for the background.
Use for A person against a dark background. Pentax recommends a tripod and optional CS-205 cable switch.
Avoid Assuming flash prevents all blur. Movement can still appear during the ambient-light exposure.