Pentax released a new video with more details about its upcoming new film camera. We will reveal these here for you. And we’ll also share a couple of videos about this camera and their Film Camera Project.
This follows their December 2022 announcement that they had plans to develop new film cameras for the first time in many years.
Listening to film camera enthusiasts
In the video, Pentax designer Takeo Suzuki states that they received many opinions and suggestions. From that, they were inspired to design a completely new film camera model even though some parts might be shared with existing models.
Repeating something he said previously, Suzuki said that the goal of Pentax is to develop a camera that younger photographers will enjoy, making taking photos a joy. He verified that Pentax is indeed making a manual-winding film camera, pointing out that this is an action that is “totally unique to film cameras” which creates “joy and satisfaction of actually manipulating a film camera.” They currently believe that a lever-action mechanism is the best way forward, even incorporating a ratchet wheel sound in the mechanism.
My theory for getting hands on
I have observed that many young people are attracted to manual and mechanical items. I believe they crave tactile things that older people took for granted growing up. In music, it’s younger people that are primarily attracted to patchbay and modular synthesizers, with their knobs, cables and sliders. It’s younger people that have largely driven up the sales of records for the past fifteen years. And younger people are also largely responsible for purchasing old film cameras. In fact, someone paid more for my Yashica T4 35mm point-and-shoot film camera than I initially paid for it.
I discussed my theory for this during our Nightaxians YouTube podcast #15 a while ago when we also discussed Pentax’s announcement to release film cameras.
Compact
The first film camera Pentax will release will be a compact camera, not an SLR. However, they believe that they will be able to use the hand-wound mechanism in SLR and other cameras.
Fixed, non-intechangeable lens
Pentax also looks like they are initially keeping it simple. The first camera in their Film Camera Project will have a fixed, non-interchangeable lens. Older fixed-lens compacts typically had some of the smallest, sharpest lenses. If they release this with a wide-angle, large aperture fixed lens on a small body, I have a feeling a lot of film people will be very happy.
Surprising admission
If you watch the entire video, you might be surprised by one of Suzuki’s admissions. After developing the initial hand-winding mechanism via 3D CAD drawings, the team called upon the original film camera engineers for assistance. They were attempting to simplify the design. However, the old engineers said that the team were “ignorant,” although it seems that this was meant in a friendly manner. The teams collaborated, resulting in a ratchet wheel lever for advancing the film.
However, given the innovations and amazing functions that Pentax regularly puts in their cameras, I have a feeling that we might see some surprisingly innovative features in their film cameras going forward. After all, this is the company that also puts Astrotracer for tracking stars, built-in time-lapse mode for in-camera stacking, body illumination, Night Vision LCD, and other features. I discuss some of these in the article Seven reasons I now use a Pentax K-1 camera.
The call for collaboration for the Film Camera Project
“The goal of this project is not only to produce a new camera, but to create a solid environment in which those that witnesses this project and those who love film photography can more freely express their ideas, opinions and hopes,” Suzuki says. “We would like to play a supporting role to help realize this future.”
Previously, Suzuki had also revealed that a poll taken by Pentax indicates that approximately 20% of camera owners in Japan still own traditional film cameras, not including disposable or instant cameras.
What are your opinions on how to design a new film camera? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Pentax i am excited about you bring back the film 35mm film camera back being true to the art this will also give the young enthusiast the opportunity to learn how to process b&w film as well as printing i started my photography with a ME Super back in 1982 when i started at the Art Institute Of Atlanta i was very pleased with my Pentax which still have this day i will be waiting for the release of your new 35mm film camera and your lenses with it’s suppior glass.
I love hearing that 20% of camera users in Japan already use film. Having a new camera instead of having to purchase old cameras is huge for everyone, including young people.
Film camera in this age of digital? Pentax is doomed!
Are they? Or are they crazy like a fox?
I disagree. The price of used film cameras keep rising and sell like crazy on EBay and other sites. I think that Pentax is on to something great and I believe they will sell all of the film cameras that they can produce.
I have a feeling they’re going to be just fine. Pentax is reveling in their very niche corner that they occupy.
Hi,
I’d love to see a new Pentax LX, (of some sorts), which together with Nikon (FM3a or FE2; F3) probably one of the best film Camera’s ever made.
I knew someone who dropped a ln Fe2 off a cliff. He retrieved it days later, and to his surprise, it still worked.
In addition to 3D CAD, 3D printing of certain key components can be a good technique for Ricoh – Pentax to use to build a new film camera because it can allow flexibility in production fluctuations. Additionally, current 3D printing techniques allow printing using more rugged materials than before. Definitely, a film advance / shutter arming mechanism that can be common to both rangefinder and K-mount SLR cameras is a good idea. Speaking about rangefinder focusing, a rugged rangefinder mechanism should be preferable. A 28, 31 or 35mm f2.0 or f2.8 fixed length lens with a filter size of 49mm… Read more »
I love the passion and flow of ideas. Ricoh?
Can 3D printing help for the amount of production they hope to do, in your opinion?
All of the manufacturers should bring back film cameras. They force the user to use their brains!
Who knows, if Pentax’s Film Camera Project takes off, maybe more manufacturers might be willing to give it a go. Even if it’s Kickstarter projects and not major manufacturers, it would be welcome.
I suppose that using cameras in Manual Mode, such as in night photography, forces people to use their brains, so I don’t know that it’s the sole province of film cameras. Also, there were a LOT of point-and-shoot cameras that required little brainwork.
I own three Pentax film cameras. Now retired from the business of image making. I use the MX to go anywhere as a point/shoot with my ME. The third is one of the last “pro” Pentax cameras, the MZ-S. Awkward to use but has its own rewards. Nice to see Pentax stretching it wings again.
I am really happy to hear about Pentax doing this, since apparently it’s a growing market and film enthusiasts deserve to have new cameras as well as vintage onees. That’s fantastic that you have three Pentax film cameras. Will you continue to create photos despite being retired from the business of it?
this is really good news we need a new point and shoot 35mm film camera i will be buying one when it comes out.
Even better news now, they’ve announced two compact film cameras to be released in Spring 2024. I wrote an article on this that should be published any time now.
this is really good news i much prefer film to digital i think it is important to make new film Cameras so that the younger generation can experience film Photography.
That does seem to be one of the huge motivators for Pentax doing this.