Pentax to Release a New Film Camera?

Pentax recently announced that they are looking at producing and releasing a new analogue film camera. Now I love film photography, especially my Pentax 67 medium format beast, but I think there's a bigger problem facing the analogue photography world and it's the lack of competition for colour film stocks, rather than the lack of new film cameras and this Pentax new film camera project.

I also have doubts that Pentax are even capable of making a 35mm or medium format camera that would be as good as the vintage bodies available to us.

Let me know what you think in the comments. Am I wrong about the problem of Kodak and colour film prices, do you think Pentax will prove me wrong, does the photography world really need new film cameras?

Pentax has a long and rich history in film camera manufacturing, here are 10 key points to highlight this history:

1. Founding: Pentax was founded in 1919 in Japan as Asahi Optical Co., Ltd.
2. First Camera: Pentax's first camera, the Asahiflex, was released in 1952.
3.SLR Cameras: In 1957, Pentax introduced its first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, the Asahiflex IIa.
4. K Mount: In 1975, Pentax introduced the K mount, a lens mount system that has been used on many of their film and digital cameras.
5. Popular Film Cameras: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Pentax released a number of popular and well-regarded film cameras, including the K1000, ME Super, and MZ-series.
6. Innovations: Pentax has been known for their innovations in camera technology, including the first through-the-lens (TTL) metering system and the first dustproof and weather-resistant camera body.
7. Digital Cameras: In the 1990s and 2000s, Pentax entered the digital camera market, releasing a number of high-quality and popular digital cameras.
8. Film Camera Production: While Pentax continued to produce digital cameras, they also maintained a line of film cameras throughout the transition to digital photography.
9. Medium Format: Pentax has also produced medium format film cameras, including the 645 series.
10. Legacy: Pentax has a strong legacy in the film camera market, with a history of producing high-quality and innovative cameras that have been well-regarded by photographers and enthusiasts.

[xxGravyBabyxx]

I think with new film cameras, will affect film prices. People struggle to find a good working camera and with limited working cameras, the price of cameras and film accessories go up. With new affordable film cameras, Kodak and maybe new film development companies can lower the price of film because of the demand.

Also, inflation is hurting every market. It doesn't help that everything is going up in price and photography is a hobby for most people.

[SpikedPie]

Yeah, Used Film cameras are probably always going to offer a greater value, though there are a lot of people who only like to buy new things. Won't be surprised if the first camera is plastic since they said it's going to be a compact probably point and shoot, but hopefully the follow through on the promise to build durable cameras that will last, especially on the follow-up SLR and Fully mechanical camera they talked about in their video.
As for glass, I've got no concerns. I've got a few pentax bodies and lenses and they're great! Not to mention, their parent-company Ricoh already produces great image quality in the GR cameras they sell right now.
Film is expensive, but I'm in my early 20s and there's a ton of people already spending $2+ per picture on polaroid and Fuji-instax photos. Plus quite a few of my friends love film as they enjoy the process and the Tactile nature of it.
I hope we get other companies joining the competition and driving up the bar for camera quality, as well as film companies investing in Color stocks after seeing the greater demand.
Film seems like it's come back and is here to stay, like how Vinyl records are popular and you can buy great again turntables today. These aren't better than digital in their technical qualities, but they're a lot of fun!

[punkrachmaninoff]

You should go shoot with a K3 classic and an A-series 35mm f2 or the 40mm limited and then come talk to us... That, or maybe try a Ricoh GR3?

BTW, film cameras are not that easy to get parts for anymore.

[docdimo]

I think the push for Pentax to re-release newly designed film cameras, or refresh original designs with more durable engineering and modern updates to the pentaprism and viewfinder will cause the industry to re-release film chemistry and film products form other viable players like Ilford and FujiFilm.

In my 40 years of photography, I still have film cameras that still work, (but agree with you that they are time bombs, waiting to break down) and I have digital SLRs from the eras or 2006 onto the present that I really dont need any further updating.

My current digital bodies will perform and produce what I need and I have no need for upgrades, but I had become quite nostalgic for the artistic process of photography, shooting on B&W and developing my own negatives and contact sheets.

I know the there are several older photographers who miss the artistic analog process and would still invest in the "Art process" Interestingly enough the balance of young enthusiasts and old school farts are making headway for demand and I believe the camera and film manufacturers are noticing.

Either way, if pentax does a refresh of one of their Classic LX bodies, I would gladly invest.