Film Well, How 'Bout This: Ricoh/Pentax Film Camera Development?

One of the new challenges we have taken on is the development of PENTAX-brand film cameras. We feel this will provide camera fans with a joy of photography totally different from what they experience in the digital format. I want to stress that this announcement does not mean we will release new film cameras. Instead, it's an ongoing project based on the assumption that, as long as photographers remain obsessed with the ambiance of light and environment, there will also be some who will want to use film cameras as their tool of choice in capturing unique images. But we also know how difficult it will be to restart the production of film cameras long after production was terminated. In fact, we're only at the starting line right now.
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It's kind of an idea they're throwing out there, but with the possibility that they'll consider building a camera. I'd not hold my breath on anything coming any time soon ...

M.
 
2. Working together with camera enthusiasts
With digital cameras now the mainstream of photography, it can be challenging to procure the parts needed for film cameras, so this project`s success will involve other manufacturers. More importantly, Ricoh Imaging/PENTAX is counting on the support of film camera aficionados, photographers, and creators, so we plan to promote the project through various online and offline events and social media while listening to comments and suggestions from film camera users about product development. We are also planning a way to communicate effectively about the project's development to users worldwide and to work closely with them.
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"Other manufacturers" -- could that mean, perhaps, Cosina? If this does develop into a full-fledged camera, it could contain components and/or engineering that's basically as good as Ricoh can find, from what's still out there. I do think there is potential for this to be a really satisfying product, because they are soliciting input from photographers. If this comes about, it won't be another flimsy plastic, fixed-focus, f8 toy camera masquerading as a "new film camera."
 
Okay, the video is getting me stoked. Not only is their approach really cool (going over all of their stockpiled design drawings and blueprints from the film days, drawing all the knowledge from their older engineers who worked on film), but he mentions they plan on developing a series of cameras: a film compact, then a higher-end film compact, then an SLR and eventually a fully mechanical SLR. It doesn't sound like just throwing a film camera out there, but like it may become a business line for the company.
 
I'm wondering if they can re-use some of the mouldings/plant from the digital GR's?
They might be eyeing up the premium compact film market - probably more profit to be made on the used market than new at the moment (I'm seeing large price jumps on premium film compact Ricoh & Contax bodies, even Oly mju I & II bodies are pricier than early Oly m43 bodies). If they started popping out improved GR1V cameras they'd probably make a bundle. Coax Daido Moriyama to do some marketing shots for them too.

I also recall there seemed to be some Chinese knock-off (or licensed?) late model Pentax SLR bodies into the 2000's - again, I wonder if the machinery/moulding still exists to pop out these units (I guess the body shell is less important than the clock-work mechanical innards & film-transport) ?

It'd be fascinating to see if they go old school a metal body K1000 style, or a Ricoh street shooter, or a more modern MZ type of body.

Still wonder how they can afford to dabble in this way - Pentax more than most has had a pretty rocky road (K-01, Q series) and so has Ricoh (GXR) - must cost a fair few hundred million ¥ to design, test, ramp-up production, market and distribute a camera. Maybe new prototyping & production techniques has made the entire process a lot more efficient.

Looking forward to seeing what they produce.
 
I just gave away a Pentax ME Super with a Ricoh 50/1.4 on it.
Total cost to me- about $20.
Cost is going to be a big factor in this. Making a new camera is expensive, making new lenses- expensive.
 
Seeing Teen-agers getting excited over a film camera: Priceless.

Prices seem to be climbing- but Ebay prices have become ridiculous. I also gave away a Nikon N8008s with 35~80/F4~F5.6 and a Konica FC-1 with 50/1.8. Also a Polaroid 600 camera. I've been given Three Nikon F cameras in the last year. I'm a camera magnet. Also picked up a Contax IIIa for $50, took it apart- all working now.

I have a ~200 film cameras. Boxes full of them. Many people would send me a boxload of cameras and ask to fix one or two of them.

Pentax would do well to re-introduce the K-1000 with LED readout for the meter, K-Mount, and manual focus. It would do well with students, and production would not be too difficult. Trying to bring back the LX- would be expensive. Let Leica charge $6K plus for a new M6, Pentax should be affordable.
 
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A good first step for them: Setup a repair facility for the classic Pentax film cameras. Manufacture key parts that are likely to wear out. You can still buy a shutter cocking rack for the Kodak Retina IIIC from Microtools.
You learn a lot by taking cameras apart, finding what is broken, and then fix it. With modern CNC machines it would not be hard to manufacture key components.
 
Well, if they really go the compact camera route, I might actually find myself interested ... For everything else, Brian pretty much nailed it: I'd see a lot more benefit in offering professional repair and maintenance. Around here, the old technicians are literally dying out - my own preferred repair guy is well over seventy, and I don't know how long he'll keep on taking on work ... I have a couple of other options, but all of them are either near or over retirement age.

Producing their own spare parts would be huge - and depending on how generous they'd choose to be, they could pretty much corner the market.

M.
 
Standing by and awaiting for Pentax to contact me....
I did not take a picture of the Pentax Super-Takumar 50/1.4 that I converted to RF coupled M-Mount for my Leica.

pentax.jpg
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pentax3.jpg
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Looks like GR1's are around 3-400 for a junker up to 1600 for the wide 21mm version. A middle of the road GR1V is 7-800.

Ricoh: Ricoh GR-1 V Price Guide: estimate a camera value

Ricoh: Ricoh GR-1 V - 2002. 35mm compact camera. Black or silver. QD versions exist.
collectiblend.com

Contax TVS or T3 ranges from 6-800 to a few grand.

Yashica: Contax T3 Price Guide: estimate a camera value

Yashica: Contax T3 - 2001. 35mm film, point-and-shoot camera.
collectiblend.com

If they did something like an analog MX1 with brass that might be pretty cool.

Fascinated to see what this is going to be like and at what price point.
 
Brian said:
Seeing Teen-agers getting excited over a film camera: Priceless.

Prices seem to be climbing- but Ebay prices have become ridiculous. I also gave away a Nikon N8008s with 35~80/F4~F5.6 and a Konica FC-1 with 50/1.8. Also a Polaroid 600 camera. I've been given Three Nikon F cameras in the last year. I'm a camera magnet. Also picked up a Contax IIIa for $50, took it apart- all working now.

I have a ~200 film cameras. Boxes full of them. Many people would send me a boxload of cameras and ask to fix one or two of them.

Pentax would do well to re-introduce the K-1000 with LED readout for the meter, K-Mount, and manual focus. It would do well with students, and production would not be too difficult. Trying to bring back the LX- would be expensive. Let Leica charge $6K plus for a new M6, Pentax should be affordable.
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Saw a Nikon S2 w/ 50/1.4 for only $385 that had me going "hmmm" earlier today 😉
 
The pessimistic person may say "yeah, nothing will come of this," or "it will end up being a cheap cash grab," but the fact of the matter is that no other camera manufacturer anywhere has expressed any of this awareness of the new popularity as well as the importance of film cameras, save for Leica. One can be cynical if one wants to, but it's still exciting to hear my precise thoughts on the potential for new film cameras echoed by a Ricoh employee in an official capacity.

If Ricoh wants to continue trying to become the "Japanese SLR Leica" of the photography world, I am 100% there for them.
 
agentlossing said:
I haven't digested all of it yet, but it got me excited right out of the gate. What do you think means? And what will come of it?
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I am actually liking their (Japan-based) customer-forum-driven approach. I know it's localised there but they have been delivering lately. They hold the talks/forum in November and the first crowd-funded product they did was the K-3 III Jet Black edition, next to that will be the monochrome Pentax which was supposed to be initially the K-70 but it's now based on the K-3 III. Next is supposed to be the astrotracer K-70 (KF now?).

The film forum was done separately and somewhat unannounced. I was told that it was a global research, especially with the younger market, where film photography is getting more popular. This film project is the result of that study.

I can only speculate but, I agree, the announcement got me excited as film is here to stay. Film photographers I know already stopped hoarding when Kodak Gold 200 was released in the 120 format.

theoldsmithy said:
On UK eBay, that would set you back about £150-£200.
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Here, as well, on a good day.

Brian said:
Seeing Teen-agers getting excited over a film camera: Priceless.
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^Yup, I kind of get entertained by their different soft of gear talk. I almost always get asked by those younger than me, when they see the Pentax logo, about film photography and their or their parents' K1000. When they have their K1000 and/or any K-Mount Pentax, seeing their faces when their prime lens is borrowed and then mounted to a newer DSLR is also priceless.

Brian said:
Pentax would do well to re-introduce the K-1000 with LED readout for the meter, K-Mount, and manual focus.
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Imagine the possiblities! What if they do that with the lower end and then use K-3 III's HUD for the higher end? What if PLM lenses or DC motor lenses can be used, too? What if they use the KP's body for film? I am just dreaming. I am still getting excited.
 

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