Pentax announcement: Considering developing new film camera

zapp · 12-19-2022, 10:57 PM

Is it the first day of April again…. Nice to see that Pentax is open for new and extreme ideas. All that film gear is rather old these days, seals getting bad,…, on the other hand people like to get an old high end model like LX, R6.2, F3, F2, F1 not just a generic K1000, X300, OM10. A new camera, requires new glass. It will be FF by definition and only the new APSC glass is on the affordable side. Pentax is not Leica M.
Will the 3+1 amigos work? If so, we should expect an amigo camera. MANY basic questions for the camera. Autofocus? Exposure meter…., the viewfinder must be great.

Sandy Hancock · 12-19-2022, 11:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by zapp

A new camera requires new glass.

Why?

Originally posted by zapp

It will be FF by definition and only the new APSC glass is on the affordable side.

I you watched the video, there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts.

Rush2112 · 12-19-2022, 11:12 PM

The Grinch would be so jealous of my smile right now...

Way. To. Go.

---------- Post added 12-19-2022 at 10:24 PM ----------

See all those positive replies on the youtube videos?

Yep. So awesome.

**Digitalis** · 12-19-2022, 11:25 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts.

Fixed lens 6x6 TLR's aren't unheard of....just saying.

I have been going through Camera wiki and according to them Ricoh has a long history in producing fixed lens 35mm compact cameras but also a fair number of 120 format cameras in various formats.

lotech · 12-19-2022, 11:27 PM - **2 Likes**

What a bold and welcome attempt ! but first we must have enough film stock and developing service available and affordable, and I believe producing a film body is cheaper than a digital one.

**NZ_Ross** · 12-19-2022, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

I have been going through Camera wiki and according to them Ricoh has a long history in producing fixed lens 35mm compact cameras but also a fair number of 120 format cameras in various formats.

I wonder if the second camera on the roadmap the 'high end compact' won't be a reinvented film GR

**UncleVanya** · 12-20-2022, 12:02 AM

Wild ride ahead

zapp · 12-20-2022, 12:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Why?

I you watched the video, there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts.

You don´t design a new camera for old glass, business wise it makes much more sense to sell camera and a couple lenses.

If we talk about film cameras, I am not watching videos

that said, fixed lens compacts are a more reasonable approach, but leave little fun for K-mount users. You can sell an old Olympus mju1 or an XA for a good price these days. Interesting that they want to brand it Penatx and not Ricoh.

Sandy Hancock · 12-20-2022, 12:28 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by zapp

You don´t design a new camera for old glass

Pentax does

totsmuyco · 12-20-2022, 12:53 AM - **2 Likes**

I’m not as excited as everyone. I don’t want to go back to film as I can save money and like store my images in digital format. I’m a poor keeper of negatives and slides. I’m happy that I see a future in Ricoh’s plan to keep Pentax alive.
But one thing though. I enjoyed using slides during my film days. As a matter of fact, I was the one moved to use slides in our photo contests during my days in the camera club. Slides will show who knows how to control exposure well. Plus in a photo contest, you can’t crop it. So what you see is what you get. Slides to me shows how skillful is the photographer. But then again for my budget, plus ease and easy storage, I’m sticking it out with digital.
For those excited about this, I’m happy for you. I know you'll enjoy it when this project pushes through.

**iheiramo** · 12-20-2022, 01:31 AM - **3 Likes**

I'm not into film, as I like digital and I like to finish my shots in pp, but still this sounds exciting and as a good business plan while building the niche corner for Pentax. So, yeah,bring it on, but that new 35mm film SLR better have KAF4 support to go with modern DFA* primes

Kunzite · 12-20-2022, 01:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Interesting.
But mostly because the project got greenlighted, which means the latest rumors of Pentax' demise are yet again unfounded, what a surprise

Honestly, I don't know what to say. I'm not terribly excited, as I won't go back to film (processing is a problem, particularly around here). I'm curious about some technical stuff like compatibility with new lenses (KAF4, and even lack of aperture rings).
I also don't know how the market would react to new film camera prices.
So I'll be watching from the sides, fingers crossed.

Hayashi · 12-20-2022, 01:40 AM

I guess .... Ricoh feels there ain't much profit if they release a K-1III

**jersey** · 12-20-2022, 01:47 AM

Well, that guy stated that he is not sure if they will be able to do it. So I suppose they do some sort of engineering on this, but also checking interest. Though with recent Leica film release no doubt there is interest. Still Leica is Leica, and Pentax is doomed so you never know.

On side note this is a great news (I would gladly get modern film SLR) but also not so good. I wonder how much this exclusivity of the brand will influence prices of all of their gear.

Still if they release modern film camera I will most likely buy it.

**fs999** · 12-20-2022, 01:56 AM - **9 Likes**

I think it is time to say : All other camera brands are Doomed™

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12-19-2022, 10:57 PM	#31
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,149	Is it the first day of April again…. Nice to see that Pentax is open for new and extreme ideas. All that film gear is rather old these days, seals getting bad,…, on the other hand people like to get an old high end model like LX, R6.2, F3, F2, F1 not just a generic K1000, X300, OM10. A new camera, requires new glass. It will be FF by definition and only the new APSC glass is on the affordable side. Pentax is not Leica M. Will the 3+1 amigos work? If so, we should expect an amigo camera. MANY basic questions for the camera. Autofocus? Exposure meter…., the viewfinder must be great.

12-19-2022, 11:10 PM - 2 Likes	#32
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,657	Originally posted by zapp A new camera requires new glass. Why? Originally posted by zapp It will be FF by definition and only the new APSC glass is on the affordable side. I you watched the video, there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts.

12-19-2022, 11:12 PM	#33
Rush2112 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 491	The Grinch would be so jealous of my smile right now... Way. To. Go. ---------- Post added 12-19-2022 at 10:24 PM ---------- See all those positive replies on the youtube videos? Yep. So awesome.

12-19-2022, 11:25 PM - 2 Likes	#34
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelaide,South Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,314	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts. Fixed lens 6x6 TLR's aren't unheard of....just saying. I have been going through Camera wiki and according to them Ricoh has a long history in producing fixed lens 35mm compact cameras but also a fair number of 120 format cameras in various formats.

12-19-2022, 11:27 PM - 2 Likes	#35
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 959	What a bold and welcome attempt ! but first we must have enough film stock and developing service available and affordable, and I believe producing a film body is cheaper than a digital one.

12-19-2022, 11:55 PM	#36
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,116	Originally posted by Digitalis I have been going through Camera wiki and according to them Ricoh has a long history in producing fixed lens 35mm compact cameras but also a fair number of 120 format cameras in various formats. I wonder if the second camera on the roadmap the 'high end compact' won't be a reinvented film GR

12-20-2022, 12:02 AM	#37
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,758	Wild ride ahead

12-20-2022, 12:20 AM - 1 Like	#38
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,149	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Why? I you watched the video, there's a good chance the first couple of iterations will be fixed lens compacts. You don´t design a new camera for old glass, business wise it makes much more sense to sell camera and a couple lenses. If we talk about film cameras, I am not watching videos that said, fixed lens compacts are a more reasonable approach, but leave little fun for K-mount users. You can sell an old Olympus mju1 or an XA for a good price these days. Interesting that they want to brand it Penatx and not Ricoh.

12-20-2022, 12:28 AM - 3 Likes	#39
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,657	Originally posted by zapp You don´t design a new camera for old glass Pentax does

12-20-2022, 12:53 AM - 2 Likes	#40
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,250	I’m not as excited as everyone. I don’t want to go back to film as I can save money and like store my images in digital format. I’m a poor keeper of negatives and slides. I’m happy that I see a future in Ricoh’s plan to keep Pentax alive. But one thing though. I enjoyed using slides during my film days. As a matter of fact, I was the one moved to use slides in our photo contests during my days in the camera club. Slides will show who knows how to control exposure well. Plus in a photo contest, you can’t crop it. So what you see is what you get. Slides to me shows how skillful is the photographer. But then again for my budget, plus ease and easy storage, I’m sticking it out with digital. For those excited about this, I’m happy for you. I know you'll enjoy it when this project pushes through.

12-20-2022, 01:31 AM - 3 Likes	#41
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 2,964	I'm not into film, as I like digital and I like to finish my shots in pp, but still this sounds exciting and as a good business plan while building the niche corner for Pentax. So, yeah,bring it on, but that new 35mm film SLR better have KAF4 support to go with modern DFA* primes

12-20-2022, 01:35 AM - 2 Likes	#42
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,093	Interesting. But mostly because the project got greenlighted, which means the latest rumors of Pentax' demise are yet again unfounded, what a surprise Honestly, I don't know what to say. I'm not terribly excited, as I won't go back to film (processing is a problem, particularly around here). I'm curious about some technical stuff like compatibility with new lenses (KAF4, and even lack of aperture rings). I also don't know how the market would react to new film camera prices. So I'll be watching from the sides, fingers crossed.

12-20-2022, 01:40 AM	#43
Hayashi Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 144	I guess .... Ricoh feels there ain't much profit if they release a K-1III

12-20-2022, 01:47 AM	#44
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,634	Well, that guy stated that he is not sure if they will be able to do it. So I suppose they do some sort of engineering on this, but also checking interest. Though with recent Leica film release no doubt there is interest. Still Leica is Leica, and Pentax is doomed so you never know. On side note this is a great news (I would gladly get modern film SLR) but also not so good. I wonder how much this exclusivity of the brand will influence prices of all of their gear. Still if they release modern film camera I will most likely buy it.

12-20-2022, 01:56 AM - 9 Likes	#45
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 7,724	I think it is time to say : All other camera brands are Doomed™

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