I started watching this video because the old Miranda's - not the ones produced in the 80's - are really good cameras that suffer from brand snobbery. However, I noted that the video is all about another kind of snobbery: the REAL photographer's snobbery. The viewfinder of this Miranda is in terrible conditions- it can be serviced, but you'll be spending some money to do so - 44 mm is not a standard for lenses, and it's not easy to find a reliable camera that's this old in such good conditions. Without servicing them, of course. Do I think 500 euros is what Pentax 17 should cost? No. However, it's a niche product and there's a price to pay for the lack of scale. Plus, the 17 is a great half frame camera that does a wonderful job in such a small piece of negative. There's a target for it, even if it's not you nor me.
I like Miranda cameras but I see absolutely no point bashing the Pentax 17 for it. You like old cameras? Fine. Someone else can buy the Pentax 17 if it fits their purpose but don't ruin it for everyone else.
over your next 50 years of ownership, you will save more than 500 euros on film if you get the 17. there is value in buying new with warranty. your camera is a time bomb. More and more expensive to repair.
i think this camere will work still after 50 years, the pentax not more than 10 :) in this long therms 4 years of warrany is nothing, you pay 500$ for warrinty but is suppose to work first years being new!
The Pentax 17 Well Try $499.99 at B&H Photo. I have the Miranda Sensorex II. Love it wit 4 lenses... Get an Old Olympus Pen Series half Models.Also Did Anyone told you that you sound like Dr. Strangelove?
The Pentax 17 should have had manual focus (or AF). The zone focus defies the idea of saving exposures via expanding to half frame. What was gained, is lost in your zone focus guessing game.
Very nice camera! The shutter curtain looks straight and sounds great, so it should work fine. Miranda's lenses were extremely good and designed in partnership with Soligor. By the way, Pentax is releasing one more film camera this year. The half-frame 17 was just the first on out of the gate (but no one knows what the second one will be.)
It's really not fair to compare a new $500 camera to a camera that, if it were built today, would likely sell for $1500-$2000. Congratulations on a terrific find, and shoot it till it falls apart, which hopefully, won't happen for many years. Mirandas were beautiful cameras, and the Sensorex line were pretty much the last great Mirandas.
yes, but with new tecnologies is obviusly easer to make staff today, and remember, in past you have only film, if you want to take pictures you have to buy that, today you can choose also from digital and also with not expensive old cameras(wich was build better)
Oh no! My ebay SLR broke?! I guess I'll have to buy another one, for still less money than the Pentax 17. Oh no! My second ebay SLR broke? Oh man, I'm gonna have to buy another one! For still less money than the Pentax 17. Oh wow oh no, I bought 3 at once that time and they all exploded in the same accident. I guess I'll buy 4 at once next time. For still less money than the Pentax 17. (If someone wants a half frame, the Canon Demi is *chef's kiss* by the way)
