What made you want to try half-frame, and what was your first half-frame camera?

I’ve been shooting film for decades, and remember Olympus Pen cameras for sale in the 1980s, but never considered trying half-frame then. I seem to remember that half-frame was seen as inferior amongst keen photographers at the time. Recently several photographers that I follow have spoken about a variety of half-frame cameras. Also, Ricoh then released the Pentax 17, and I was intrigued; this ended up being my first foray into half-frame. I only bought this in late June 2025, so I am still on a learning curve.

What is it you like most about Half-frame?

The cameras are small and light, the ideal carry anywhere option. I took mine away on holiday for two weeks in July, leaving my heavy DSLR at home! With up to 72 frames on a roll, I could shoot more freely, ideal when you’re travelling.

The Pentax 17, although by no means perfect, has an amazingly sharp and contrasty lens.

Favourite subject and/or Half-frame photo?

Although my passion is for landscapes, half-frame suits a wide variety of subjects. I got some images in The Cotswolds and Oxford that I was really pleased with. Then, the following week, I took some landscapes whilst walking in The Lake District, again the camera worked really well. It also helped to lighten the load when fell walking.

I’m looking forward to trying a few diptychs or triptychs next.

Your top tip/s for shooting half frame photos?

Get a camera and have fun with it, even if it’s a cheap plastic one. Let the 72 frames free you up to shoot more.

Unless you are a big fan of grain, err on the side of slower or medium speed films. Remember that you’re not going to make really big darkroom prints from half-frame negatives.

If you develop your own film, you can always cut a partly exposed roll out of the camera before it’s finished.

If you bulk roll film, load shorter rolls if you want to see the results quicker.