Pentax announces that they're working on new film cameras!

[Ernst-Jan]

I don't know, but I do know that to indicate "damaged with many problems" in japanese, you just need to write "EXC+3"

 

[Huss]

It's amusing to see all this fuss for a mechanical film camera that Pentax may or may not make, when all you need to do is trot on down to your local Leica shop, hand over $5600, and pick up a nice little 35mm rangefinder camera.
You may even get lucky and get one that does not scratch film!

 

[Sirius Glass]

There are multiple companies making new 4x5 camera's. Only problem are shutters.

That should make us all shutter.

 

[pbromaghin]

If we’re talking medium format only 645 would make sense. The reasons for the 67 format are gone. 66 will often get cropped.
645 is 16 exposures and a smaller lighter camera with faster lenses.
You could even do a camera with a shift lens and shift mask, and pull 32 45x28mm exposures from a roll of 120.

I have long wondered what would be so difficult about making a modern camera inspired by Ikonta, Tourist, Isolette, Bessa, Certo6 - about the simplest high-quality cameras ever made. Any film camera will require solving the lens/shutter mystery, but after that the rest of the camera is nothing like the challenge remaining to produce an SLR.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Why not 69 then?
The 645 format is a sweet spot...

Had 645. Pretty sour spot. Sold off. Not any bigger than 6x6, which affords much more flexibility. Actually, the sweet spot would be 6x8. My preferred 4:3 format without cropping and, in reverse-curl backs, permits a spacing configuration that eliminates unflat bulges toward the lens.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Had 645. Pretty sour spot. Sold off. Not any bigger than 6x6, which affords much more flexibility. Actually, the sweet spot would be 6x8. My preferred 4:3 format without cropping and, in reverse-curl backs, permits a spacing configuration that eliminates unflat bulges toward the lens.

I will stick with the perfect format, square, of the 6x6 flavor.

 

[Helge]

Had 645. Pretty sour spot. Sold off. Not any bigger than 6x6, which affords much more flexibility. Actually, the sweet spot would be 6x8. My preferred 4:3 format without cropping and, in reverse-curl backs, permits a spacing configuration that eliminates unflat bulges toward the lens.

645s smaller gate allows flatter film. And in an SLR a mirror with not a lot longer lever from the fulcrum or mass than a 135 SLRs mirror.

 

[DREW WILEY]

After the prototype, the first thousand serial numbers of any mechanical innovation are where most of the defects show up. An on an item of finite demand, like in this case, just a few lemons spoiling the reputation could end the project in its tracks forever. They have to get it right the first time, and that won't be cheap. One single subcontractor of a certain component flubs up, and it will be a financial trainwreck that nobody else will want to gamble with. I sure wish em luck, however.

Forget about any MF equivalent like a new P67. That would be exponential more expensive and risky to attempt. And there's a glut of used ones out there for cheap anyway. But at least those aren't stuck in "square" mode, with a defective shutter curtain that doesn't open fully wide. Sirius needs to buy himself a film stretcher to get it right.

 

[Huss]

Unfortunately for Pentax, after they sell a couple of hundred of their new P&S camera at $950 a pop, the target audience will realize they can get the wonderful Pentax WR90 for $20. Such a great camera.

 

[rcphoto]

Where does pentax get the money to put out products that don't make them money?

 

[bish0p]

Fantastic news if they can pull it off. I'm interested in the fully mechanical SLR.

 

[Helge]

Unfortunately for Pentax, after they sell a couple of hundred of their new P&S camera at $950 a pop, the target audience will realize they can get the wonderful Pentax WR90 for $20. Such a great camera.

They specifically said “affordable” in the video. $500 would be the absolute max compared to stuff like the Mju II.
Half that would be preferable probably.

 

[Helge]

Fantastic news if they can pull it off. I'm interested in the fully mechanical SLR.

Guess you’ll have to buy a P&S shaped ticket first if you want to see the SLR at some point.

 

[Helge]

Where does pentax get the money to put out products that don't make them money?

Where do you get the time to make pointless posts?

 

[grain elevator]

Motor drive compacts and slrs seem potentially an easier proposition as the technology is not so old although its still around 16yrs since pentax produced one. Presumably why they were listed first. Only leica probably still have all the know how in the fully mechanical camera sector.

The quality compact part of the market is where prices are highest and the cameras are dying fastest so that also makes sense from a sales perspective. In contrast no real lack of supply of 35mm slrs. Although they focus on Pentax presumably reviving the GR film series would tick the ‘advanced compact’ box fairly well

These two points here were on my mind, too. This is great news in any case, and maybe when something materialises in a few years, I might even have a little money to spend!

 

[jtk]

Pentax is Ricoh.

Ricoh GR1v Film Camera Review

We review the Ricoh GR1v, the last in the lineup of Ricoh 28mm equipped premium point-and-shoot film cameras. Plus sample images and buyer's guide.

casualphotophile.com

 

[rcphoto]

Where do you get the time to make pointless posts?

Worked for a small camera shop, we only carried Pentax because profit margins were higher and we didn't have to pay for the items until they were sold. At the end of a cycle, we'd end up sending back 90% of cameras we were sent or would sell them at cost to employees.

So aside from their apparently touchy fanbase, who is actually going to spend the money on these consumer cameras?

 

[jtk]

Ricoh GR1s vs Ricoh R1s: Is "premium" really worth the money?

Here's a question you've probably asked yourself before: "Is it really worth paying for a premium compact 35mm camera when a lesser-known, lower spec'd

emulsive.org

Pentax is Ricoh. Ricoh has been making superb film cameras since forever.

Pentax, therefore, has long had the engineering, the optics, and the marketing to do whatever it wants in whatever market.

Pentax would be selling film cameras today if it wanted to do that.

 

[Helge]

Worked for a small camera shop, we only carried Pentax because profit margins were higher and we didn't have to pay for the items until they were sold. At the end of a cycle, we'd end up sending back 90% of cameras we were sent or would sell them at cost to employees.

So aside from their apparently touchy fanbase, who is actually going to spend the money on these consumer cameras?

People buy stuff..?
People also like to buy stuff they can get repaired and replaced in case it breaks.

 

[Paul Howell]

One of the popular science machinal magazines, maybe 15 years ago did a article about it would take to build a WWII battleship. Not only are tools long gone, but the tools that made the tools are gone as are foundries that could roll out the steel plate. I assume that with modern computer controlled machines it will much easier to make the needed parts. New technology might actually bring the cost down.

 

[rcphoto]

People buy stuff..?
People also like to buy stuff they can get repaired and replaced in case it breaks.

If isn't profitable and they drop it, how do you foresee repairing a camera no one has experience with or parts for?

 

[mshchem]

I don't know, but I do know that to indicate "damaged with many problems" in japanese, you just need to write "EXC+3"

 

[DREW WILEY]

Modern speedy CNC simply doesn't provide the quality of components of traditional die casting and machining. With most of today's camera, even expensive digital 35mm ones, long-term durability isn't the priority, but features. And its the era of disposable everything, so repairability is itself optional. But a well-made camera should go a long ways before a tune-up is needed, unless there's an accident.

And it's hard to imagine Pentax getting up and running without default to the maker of their survey optics in China. Nikon sure doesn't seem very interested in getting back into mechanical cameras anymore. All of it is just brand labeling these day; Pentax, Ricoh, whatever. Probably none of them makes all their own components, or does all their own assembly, and some never did.

 

[mshchem]

This is great news, also great to create buzz that will help sell current full frame lenses, maybe even a digital body too.

 

[Helge]

If isn't profitable and they drop it, how do you foresee repairing a camera no one has experience with or parts for?

Problem with PnS cameras today is that you buy them and they work for a day, and then break. That just too bad. No one can or will work on them.
Even a used camera store has limited warranty.
A new camera will work guaranteed for a much longer period. And the manufacturer has their rep riding on it.