Is Pentax creating a “brand-new, manual winding” film camera as part of their new film camera project? Pentax, owned by Ricoh, hinted they are considering this.
Japanese magazine Barfout! interviewed Takeo Suzuki, the product planner and designer for Pentax, as part of a discussion panel for their upcoming April 2023 issue.
First of all, we want to help young users enjoy them (film cameras), so I think something compact is the way to go. However, as Mr. Nagoshi said, it is not the same as setting everything to auto and saying, “Just press a button and you will get a beautiful shot.” With that said, we are considering a brand-new, manual winding camera.
Takeo Suzuki, Product Planner and Designer for Ricoh/Pentax, during panel discussion for Barfout! Magazine
My first SLR camera was a manual winding film camera from Ricoh. And then also being a Nightaxian (a Pentaxian who loves night photography), I had to share this information with you!
Above: My love for the amazing Pentax K-1 DSLR and night photography run deep.
Hand-winding film camera
During the panel discussion, Suzuki stated the following, resulting in surprise from the other two participants.
Developing a manual winding camera is really hard work, and it is sometimes easier to make a camera with a motor and automatic winding, but the act of winding a camera manually is a special act that is unique to film. And that is something we want young people to experience as well.
Takeo Suzuki, Product Planner and Designer for Ricoh/Pentax, during panel discussion for Barfout! Magazine
Suzuki elaborated further, stating that developing a manual winding camera is difficult and that it might be easier to make a camera that offered automatic winding.
But he also added, “The act of winding a camera manually is a special act that is unique to film. And that is something we want young people to experience as well.”
Why film? Why now?
Several months ago, Ricoh/Pentax announced their Film Camera Project.
Ricoh stated that since there has been a rebirth in interest in film cameras, they would use their film camera skills and technologies to develop new film camera products. Indeed, a poll taken by Pentax indicates that approximately 20% still use traditional film cameras, not including disposable or instant cameras.
However, most of the film cameras being used today are purchased on the used market. There’s no warranty either. So their idea is to make this more accessible to new users.
Few manufacturers today build and sell new film cameras. Some of film camera users expressed concerns about the aftercare service for used film cameras. Ricoh Imaging is prioritizing supporting film camera fans so they can enjoy film photography without worries, from film camera development, production, and sales to aftercare.
Ricoh/Pentax Press Release, 20 December 2022
What is up with Pentax anyway?
It’s easy to scratch your head at Pentax doubling down on yesterday’s technology. After all, they operate on the margins. They have not indicated that they will be creating mirrorless cameras in the foreseeable future. And they are going to be making film cameras — possibly with manual winding. Are they crazy?
Or are they crazy like a fox?
After all, at a time in which many camera manufacturing companies have reported dwindling sales, Ricoh has reported a rise in earnings for the first two quarters of 2022, supported by a rise in sales.
What I do believe is that if their film cameras are as good as their DSLRs, a lot of film enthusiasts will be wearing enormous smiles. And probably regardless of whether they need to manually wind their film or not.
I love my old k1k ! Wind it up!
Sounds good to me!
If the engineering drawings are still in a drawer somewhere the only thing Ricoh would have to do is find suppliers to manufacture the dozens of parts each camera would need and then set up an assembly line to put them together. I don’t see that as a difficult thing just complicated. And about a five year commitment. Just guessing. The bigger question is would people buy a camera that would have to cost over $2000.00 in order to shoot film. I have some old film cameras that I take out now and then and it just serves to remind… Read more »
I’m not really sure why he said it was complicated, but perhaps there’s something that we don’t know? Obviously, it was made in the past.
I do wonder what the price point is going to be with these. Given that I am photographing night photography, I will definitely be sticking with digital for that. However, there may be a time in which I use film for other sorts of photos. Not sure.
I’m shooting film exclusively.
My Pentax ME is a wonderful SLR and hopefully the Ricoh guys will build a new mechanical Film SLR .
Very good. I shoot mostly film but do use digital from time to time. I prefer film.
I hope so. It would be cool if the people who wanted to use film cameras would have the choice of a nice new film camera that comes with a warranty.
I do believe they’re crazy like a fox. If they do it, watch closely how this will take off. If successful, it could/should boost initiative from other companies to do the same. I’m sure improvements will be made which will only make it much better for phographers’ interests and more profitable for companies. Doing this will increase product sales for all companies not just because of variety of photographic media to choose from, but for giving options which appeal to other clientele which otherwise would not be realized. I hope it works. But I do have a good feeling it… Read more »
I hope you’re right and am pretty sure you are. If Ricoh/Pentax puts this out and continues to make a profit, you can be sure that other camera manufacturers will be interested. Seems like a strange thing to say, embracing film cameras and making a profit again, but yet, this could be happening.
Pentax lives in their own world, but it has sense for some traditional photographers, like the new K3 monochrome. I believe is not for professional photographers, just for romantic people who enjoy these beautiful toys.
They clearly don’t want to commit the resources to compete with Sony, Canon, and Nikon in either case. The K3 monochrome might be for professional photographers. There seems to be professional photographers that use the Leica monochrome, and the K3 is an excellent camera.