What is Pentax (Ricoh) committing to?

wyofilm · Oct 29, 2020

Came across this modern Pentax video that strangely commits to the SLR camera with images of many film cameras (first 1/2 of video) before mentioning DSLR cameras. Finally, their end montage features many film cameras.

At least one You tuber who is generally an accurate source of reporting products in the film industry has his WAG (spoiler alert - he believes Pentax will come out with a new film camera).

Maybe nothing here, but why not wildly hope for something great. Remember Pentax has often been innovative - at the cost of making money.

Lachlan Young · Oct 29, 2020

Here are my suspicions:

Most likely (unfortunately): a DSLR sort-of styled like a Spotmatic

Possibly: a film camera on the K1 chassis (a film transport is not a terribly complex mechanism today, especially as it can be done via motors rather than clockwork), with some sort of innovative features (IBIS?).

Less possible: a new film 645 - again, not hugely technologically challenging, and all the new 645 lenses are reported to cover the full 645 format.

Least likely: a fully mechanical 35mm SLR. Realistically it would have to be Leica money to be viable.

I would not be surprised if there are film camera projects underway - done right, it could probably have a significant impact (maybe not quite iPhone-like, but disruptive in a similar way) - especially as so much of the digital camera market has saturated/ consolidated to phones. And by making a camera that's more resistant to obsolescence/ going to landfill in a couple years, it'll let companies burnish their 'green' credentials.

wyofilm · Oct 29, 2020

Lachlan Young said:
Here are my suspicions:

Most likely (unfortunately): a DSLR sort-of styled like a Spotmatic

Possibly: a film camera on the K1 chassis (a film transport is not a terribly complex mechanism today, especially as it can be done via motors rather than clockwork), with some sort of innovative features (IBIS?).

Less possible: a new film 645 - again, not hugely technologically challenging, and all the new 645 lenses are reported to cover the full 645 format.

Least likely: a fully mechanical 35mm SLR. Realistically it would have to be Leica money to be viable.

I would not be surprised if there are film camera projects underway - done right, it could probably have a significant impact (maybe not quite iPhone-like, but disruptive in a similar way) - especially as so much of the digital camera market has saturated/ consolidated to phones. And by making a camera that's more resistant to obsolescence/ going to landfill in a couple years, it'll let companies burnish their 'green' credentials.

I'm going with your "Possibly" as my "Most Likely", if at all.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 29, 2020

There is more of a chance of new film cameras coming back on the scene, than the resurrection of Kodachrome.

Paul Howell · Oct 29, 2020

Just a commitment to a SLR rather than a mirrorless camera. Although Pentax experimented with mirrorless they have not developed a top of line mirrorless body. The reference to the Spotmatic is put their cameras into a historical perspective. If film makes a larger comeback Pentax could have film bodies made by Cosina, K or KA mount, don't think making a AF body makes sense as new shooters are looking for old school bodies.

BobD · Oct 29, 2020

How about a digital Auto 110 that uses all the old lenses? Plus an adapter to use the 67 lenses.

Lachlan Young · Oct 29, 2020

Paul Howell said:
Pentax could have film bodies made by Cosina, K or KA mount

Unlikely - Cosina's cameras were reliant on the Copal square shutter - and were discontinued when stocks ran out. Whereas Pentax/ Ricoh have their own electronic shutter mechanisms.

flavio81 · Oct 29, 2020

Lachlan Young said:
Here are my suspicions:

Most likely (unfortunately): a DSLR sort-of styled like a Spotmatic

That's a great idea. Make it the same spotmatic dimensions, metal chassis, even better if it has no damn LCD screen, perhaps just inside the finder some status LEDs.

BobD said:
How about a digital Auto 110 that uses all the old lenses? Plus an adapter to use the 67 lenses.

But why use 6x7 lenses on 110 format? that would be... silly.

Pioneer · Oct 29, 2020

The history of Pentax is the history of the SLR. Pentax is telling us that they will continue their committment to the SLR. I personally feel like that will continue to be on the digital front. However, they are still using the K-Mount and Cosina has built Vivitar branded film SLR cameras that use that mount so I don't think it would take much to get another Pentax branded SLR out to the market. Since Cosina is the company who built the Zeiss Ikon rangefinder they certainly know how to build a quality film camera.

But there have been a number of questions coming from the Pentax fans on whether or not Pentax will follow Canon and Nikon into the digital mirrorless market. I think this is their answer to that question. Personally I think it is the right answer. They are not a huge company so attempting to field a mirrorless camera in today's digital market is just going to dilute their already small market share. They do small, amateur dSLR cameras really well so they are telling us they are going to continue doing what they do best.

Tom Kershaw · Oct 29, 2020

Based on my sole experience with the Pentax Digital Spotmeter I have a good impression of Pentax product quality. In the past I've also heard the Pentax LX camera given a very favourable account by experienced photographers.

BobD · Oct 29, 2020

flavio81 said:
But why use 6x7 lenses on 110 format? that would be... silly.

For the bokeh.

wyofilm · Oct 29, 2020

Andrew O'Neill said:
There is more of a chance of new film cameras coming back on the scene, than the resurrection of Kodachrome.

Way to go way out on a limb!

wyofilm · Oct 29, 2020

Here is the thing about their video. In the first half they talk about a commitment to SLR cameras, then transition to talking about dslr. So I don't see that they are conflating SLR/DSLR. All rampant speculation on my part (or irrational optimism), of course.

4season · Oct 29, 2020

It means that Pentax is marketing SLR photography as it's own sort of experience which I suppose is no sillier than Leica continuing to do the same for rangefinder cameras.

Oren Grad · Oct 29, 2020

It's indirectly a promo for the forthcoming K-3 Mark III DSLR, but more importantly it's a make-lemonade-from-your-lemon rationalization for why they're not transitioning to mirrorless. The "lemon" is the fact that they basically don't have the resources to play competitively in the mirrorless market. They are trying to hang on for as long as they can by selling DSLR models with incremental upgrades to their established user base.

If SLRs are all that you are in a position to offer, it makes sense to sing their praises. I don't have a problem with this at all - it's perfectly reasonable marketing. But don't take it as some sort of ideological "commitment". If by chance Ricoh decides to take a strategic gamble and pour a bucket of money into developing a new mirrorless ILC line, the tune of their marketing will change instantly.

For context: I'm the happy long-time owner of an extensive Pentax manual-focus film SLR system, though I've gone almost entirely elsewhere for my digital cameras.

George Mann · Oct 30, 2020

Oren Grad said:
It's indirectly a promo for the forthcoming K-3 Mark III DSLR

Nonetheless, they would be foolish to completely discount adding a new, relatively affordable film camera to their lineup.

johnha · Oct 31, 2020

BobD said:
For the bokeh.

The digital version of the Auto 110 is (was) the Q series, aftermarket adapters are available for 110 lenses. Pentax made adapters allowing the use of P6x7 lenses on the Q: Q to K and K to P6x7, as to why you'd want to...

blockend · Oct 31, 2020

4season said:
It means that Pentax is marketing SLR photography as it's own sort of experience which I suppose is no sillier than Leica continuing to do the same for rangefinder cameras.

Looking how crowded the mirrorless market is, keeping faith with reflex cameras may be commercial suicide or common sense, we shall see. If the company's Ricoh GR series is anything to go by, the camera is very popular and there's nothing quite like it. Curiously, the GR has no finder whatsoever. Last SLR standing may be a wise move, but it means they're competing against offloaded reflex bargains from the likes of Canon and Nikon, which will be cheap and relevant for the next decade, if not longer.

pentaxuser · Oct 31, 2020

Can I ask: where was the slightest "real" indication in this video that Pentax has any aim to produce another film camera? Specifically what were the statements in the script that suggested this?

Wasn't it just a very good Pentax promotional video pure and simple that said Pentax was committed to SLR cameras which use pentaprisms of which allegedly Pentax was the founder

It was a "good-egg" video that was meant to make you have a warm feeling towards Pentax who are all "good eggs" ( A British expression equivalent to "stand-up guy") and delivered by an obviously sincere narrator who is a champion of the Pentax philosophy which is what your heart is telling you or it should be if the video has met its objective. He was a professional in his delivery with a calm but strong presence In a changing world where nothing is certain, Pentax holds on to something that is precious to all existing SLR users and dear to Pentax. Pentax -a name that embodies the preservation of the best. If the SLR is your kind of camera then Pentax are your people.

Pentax - the team you can trust

pentaxuser

Paul Howell · Oct 31, 2020

blockend said:
Looking how crowded the mirrorless market is, keeping faith with reflex cameras may be commercial suicide or common sense, we shall see. If the company's Ricoh GR series is anything to go by, the camera is very popular and there's nothing quite like it. Curiously, the GR has no finder whatsoever. Last SLR standing may be a wise move, but it means they're competing against offloaded reflex bargains from the likes of Canon and Nikon, which will be cheap and relevant for the next decade, if not longer.

As a small player in the bigger world of camea build, it might be the wise course to make something that some folks may want, I for one. I have all D viewing systems, DSLR, translucent mirror, and mirrorless, unless I really need the high ISO or many more MP, I grab one of old DSLRs, when it time to upgrade might go Pentax as I have lens.

benjiboy · Nov 5, 2020

Pentax has been owned by The Hoya Corporation since 2007.

Oren Grad · Nov 5, 2020

benjiboy said:
Pentax has been owned by The Hoya Corporation since 2007.

Hoya sold the Pentax camera business to Ricoh in 2011. They retain the Pentax medical products business - primarily endoscopes and related products.

brofkand · Nov 5, 2020

I really doubt Pentax will reintroduce a film SLR. Although I would love to see them re-release the MZ-S. I'd love to have a backup. It's the best computerized SLR I've ever used, close to the F100 but surpassing it.

blockend · Nov 6, 2020

Mirrorless is the obvious way forward for electric (aka digital) cameras. Optical finders served their purpose in an analogue world, but there's no sense having digital output and non-digital feedback. Once visual accuracy and lag problems had been overcome, the advantages of seeing the outcome in advance, whether they be exposure accuracy, monochrome rending or format ratio, are too great to ignore.

Chan Tran · Nov 6, 2020

Oren Grad said:
Hoya sold the Pentax camera business to Ricoh in 2011. They retain the Pentax medical products business - primarily endoscopes and related products.

Pentax used to be the brand name camera and Ricoh made cameras sold under other names like Sears that used Pentax K mount lenses.

What is Pentax (Ricoh) committing to?

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