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

[logan2z]

Apparently people didn't want to pay $2600 for a film camera body.

Apparently people didn't want to pay $2600 for a Nikon film body. The currently available Leica film bodies (M6, M-A, and MP) are twice that price and seem to be selling just fine.

 

[faberryman]

Apparently people didn't want to pay $2600 for a Nikon film body. The currently available Leica film bodies (M6, M-A, and MP) are twice that price and seem to be selling just fine.

I was responding to Drew's comment about a new film body having to compete with a vintage Nikon F-series body, so I thought a reference to the fate of the Nikon F6 was apt.

Leicas are sui generis. In my experience, most people buying new Leica film bodies are unfazed by price. Of course, some people who are unfazed by the price of a new Leica film body may become fazed when they add on the price of a new Leica lens to go with it, though probably not. I don't know the number of Leica film bodies Leica sells annually.

 

[Helge]

Apparently people didn't want to pay $2600 for a Nikon film body. The currently available Leica film bodies (M6, M-A, and MP) are twice that price and seem to be selling just fine.

When can get an F/N80 for free that is lighter and can do 90 percent of what and F6 can do why spend that kind of money?

 

[Agulliver]

And once again. This camera is not aimed at us. Pentax, rightly, are not much concerned with what WE would fork out 500 or 1000 dollarpounds for.

They are aiming at young folk getting into film, and have made some conclusions as to what they can realistically make and what will appeal to their target audience.

And they're 100% right about the winding mechanism. It sets out film cameras from digital. There are digital cameras that look like vintage film cameras. It's the act of winding the film on which both visually indicates someone is shooting film and is tactile for the photographer.

Maybe Pentax will move onto a more sophisticated compact camera, and then onto a manual SLR. That's their stated aim. But first, they need to get this P&S camera out and it needs to pay for itself.

 

[pentaxuser]

Here's the latest:

Film News: Pentax moving closer to a new film camera

Pentax continues in their quest to make a new film camera. And they now have an update to show they are moving closer to a new film camera.

www.japancamerahunter.com

I didn't actually listen to the video so I don't know if any of the information is new, or if the video is just a rehash of what we already know, which is next to nothing.

Well, other than the need for a ratchet operated lever for film advance with the noise reminiscent of those cameras from the era when all SLR cameras had that feature, I couldn't detect much if anything else

TKO certainly spent a large portion of the video on this, the primary feature Pentax feels is needed to apply to the younger group of users who desire film cameras

I wasn't clear why this mechanism appears so difficult. Even if no-one is left who ever made a ratchet film advance lever there are plenty of used cameras out there including many Pentaxes on which they could base their construction of the mechanism

Let's hope that they are right about its importance to new buyers of cameras but it just struck me that the need for a ratchet mechanism and its longer term attraction to users may be overrated

I'd love a go on a fixed wheel bike again but I know from experience that one gear and having to continuously pedal loses its attraction beyond a very short ride

pentaxuser

 

[Sirius Glass]

Apparently people didn't want to pay $2600 for a Nikon film body. The currently available Leica film bodies (M6, M-A, and MP) are twice that price and seem to be selling just fine.

It has to do with the red dot.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When can get an F/N80 for free that is lighter and can do 90 percent of what and F6 can do why spend that kind of money?

I have theN75, N80 and F100. If I want a physical workout, I go to the gym. I don't need no stinkin' F6!

 

[Oldwino]

I for one and glad to see there is an obsession. That's how quality ends up, over obsessing with minute details leads to great things if properly directed.

But it is not obsessing over getting the smoothest advance, or just the right throw length. It is obsessing over "how the heck does this even work?"

 

[logan2z]

It has to do with the red dot.

It is intoxicating

 

[Sirius Glass]

It is intoxicating

I think that it has to do with looking at it all the time and a desire to touch it.

 

[bluechromis]

I wonder what they mean by a "fully mechanical SLR"? When Leica used this term, it meant cameras that were not reliant on electronics didn't it?

 

[cmacd123]

I see what you are getting at, but Pentax is wanting to make a film camera, not a digital camera. To appeal to young generation, the film camera will have to be simple to load, and use.

If only some of the Old timers are willing to confirm to them that the design of the film take up system with the set of Nylon "Needles" on the Pentax MX is probably the world champion for an easy to load yes manual loading film take up system.
I am not surprised if young engineers who did not work on fiilm advance systems need a Nudge as the advance needs to ONLY move the film forward, exactly 8 perforations, while clearing the shutter lock to allow the next picture to be taken (and in most cases also charge the shutter) PLUS have a way to disengage to allow the film to rewind. that is at least 3 functions, two of wich are not directly involved with actually MOVING the film.
the camera mechanism needs a double expsure prevention system as part of the wind, BUT with a handy way to permit INTENTIONAL double exposures

 

[Sirius Glass]

I wonder what they mean by a "fully mechanical SLR"? When Leica used this term, it meant cameras that were not reliant on electronics didn't it?

That definition would be true for all film formats.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

If only some of the Old timers are willing to confirm to them that the design of the film take up system with the set of Nylon "Needles" on the Pentax MX is probably the world champion for an easy to load yes manual loading film take up system.
I am not surprised if young engineers who did not work on fiilm advance systems need a Nudge as the advance needs to ONLY move the film forward, exactly 8 perforations, while clearing the shutter lock to allow the next picture to be taken (and in most cases also charge the shutter) PLUS have a way to disengage to allow the film to rewind. that is at least 3 functions, two of wich are not directly involved with actually MOVING the film.
the camera mechanism needs a double expsure prevention system as part of the wind, BUT with a handy way to permit INTENTIONAL double exposures

Yes, I forgot about the nylon needles! Those work really well in my ME.

 

[bluechromis]

I have some Canon EOS bodies that look similar to the Canon digital bodies. But I have had people pick up on the sound of the film advancing and realize that it was an analog camera. Often, as with Leica, a quiet camera was seen as desirable. But maybe the new film cameras will made intentionally to be loud to advertise their filminess.

 

[mshchem]

So I don't know whether this is going to be too little too late or too much too late.

Good point.

 

[mshchem]

Well, other than the need for a ratchet operated lever for film advance with the noise reminiscent of those cameras from the era when all SLR cameras had that feature, I couldn't detect much if anything else

TKO certainly spent a large portion of the video on this, the primary feature Pentax feels is needed to apply to the younger group of users who desire film cameras

I wasn't clear why this mechanism appears so difficult. Even if no-one is left who ever made a ratchet film advance lever there are plenty of used cameras out there including many Pentaxes on which they could base their construction of the mechanism

Let's hope that they are right about its importance to new buyers of cameras but it just struck me that the need for a ratchet mechanism and its longer term attraction to users may be overrated

I'd love a go on a fixed wheel bike again but I know from experience that one gear and having to continuously pedal loses its attraction beyond a very short ride

pentaxuser

2 speed kick back with a coaster brake! My friend had a Schwinn Tiger in the 1960s. Can't imagine what such a setup with a alloy frame and wheels would be like

 

[MattKing]

I wouldn't expect that the problem with the winding system is that it is difficult to design.
I would expect that the problem with the winding system is that it is difficult to design in a way that is easy to get it made at a price that would make business sense!

 

[Agulliver]

I knew a chap in the 90s who rode a penny-farthing everywhere. And you can still buy them new. Apparently the biggest manufacturer recorded record sales in 2020. So why not a film camera with manual wind. As Pentax keep saying, it really sets the film camera apart from any digital offering. And I have to say, there really is something satisfying about winding that lever after taking an exposure. I also have to say, of the roughly 50 film cameras I own, just four are motor wind. Three more, I have external winders for but almost never use them.

 

[Helge]

Well, other than the need for a ratchet operated lever for film advance with the noise reminiscent of those cameras from the era when all SLR cameras had that feature, I couldn't detect much if anything else

TKO certainly spent a large portion of the video on this, the primary feature Pentax feels is needed to apply to the younger group of users who desire film cameras

I wasn't clear why this mechanism appears so difficult. Even if no-one is left who ever made a ratchet film advance lever there are plenty of used cameras out there including many Pentaxes on which they could base their construction of the mechanism

Let's hope that they are right about its importance to new buyers of cameras but it just struck me that the need for a ratchet mechanism and its longer term attraction to users may be overrated

I'd love a go on a fixed wheel bike again but I know from experience that one gear and having to continuously pedal loses its attraction beyond a very short ride

pentaxuser

Lever wind saves a lot of battery. Both size and having to charge/change. Battery left over for for example a decent flash that will hopefully have the option of bounce.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I wouldn't even own a 35mm camera dependent on batteries. If it powers a light meter, OK. I use a handheld meter anyway. But a power winder - isn't that rather silly and fru-fru for basic photography? Just one more thing to go wrong.

 

[cmacd123]

But a power winder - isn't that rather silly and fru-fru for basic photography? Just one more thing to go wrong.

As said in the Pentax Video, it is perhaps less complex and expensive to make a power winder, than a mechanicl wind lever that can stand up to the typical abuse that some of they endure.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Of course, all those electronic options are way cheaper to make; that's why that kind of thing now dominates camera manufacture. And other than a limited pro niche, it's the general consumer public being baited with all the "latest and greatest" silly electronic features, whether automated SLR's of the past, or electronic digi options now. And due to the high turnover of those items, manufacturers have found it in their own financial interest to make things which prove less reliable. Heck, the software itself has a finite lifespan before it becomes obsolete. But a fair number of people are apparently getting tired of the nonsense, and are seeking out classic well-built used film cameras instead.

 

[pbromaghin]

And they're 100% right about the winding mechanism. It sets out film cameras from digital. There are digital cameras that look like vintage film cameras. It's the act of winding the film on which both visually indicates someone is shooting film and is tactile for the photographer.

This week I’ve been shooting at several touristy/photographery places and my 35mm Minolta 370 and 570 have started several conversations. This was not the case even 2-3 years ago. It took the Mamiya tlr or super ikonta to do that. With 35mm, people thought I was a dumbass old guy who couldn’t figure out how to use a digital camera.

At least a couple times this week I have noticed a palpable ininternal shudder in people having to shift their world view as they saw and heard me working the advance lever and realized I was shooting film.

 

[Cholentpot]

This week I’ve been shooting at several touristy/photographery places and my 35mm Minolta 370 and 570 have started several conversations. This was not the case even 2-3 years ago. It took the Mamiya tlr or super ikonta to do that. With 35mm, people thought I was a dumbass old guy who couldn’t figure out how to use a digital camera.

At least a couple times this week I have noticed a palpable ininternal shudder in people having to shift their world view as they saw and heard me working the advance lever and realized I was shooting film.

Can I see the photo?

In a few weeks, sure.