New Pentax Film Camera Is Missing One Thing

[@metalfingersfilm]

not the best news for most of us, but hoping this will get funding for a more "legitimate" camera!

[@KylersFilm]

OMG Metal Fingers Clicked on my video! Mom, get the camera!! I'm really hopeful for whatever Pentax puts out. I've gotten a lot of mixed reactions to this video and I think everyone wants something a little different. They want the impossible "swiss army camera".

[@metalfingersfilm]

haha, keep it up, homie! everyone wants their own personalized Pentax camera, especially the old heads.

[@lelandfitz1762]

As I understand it, that's what they plan on. Of course most people would love a compact film camera that at least(!) is as good as a Contax from the 90s LOL But fingers crossed we're getting there. Partly technology should be cheaper / more evolved since the 90s when all film development basically stopped. Focussing, metering and such should be cheaper and smaller. So there really should be room for a good lens.

[@GrainOnTheGo]

I don't think this will be a flop, I think the exact opposite that Pentax is appealing to the audience it NEEDS to in casual shooters. You're thinking too much from the perspective of someone who isn't in that casual headspace anymore. I'll be buying it to support Pentax through developing the rest of their lineup.

[@KylersFilm]

I never said it would be a flop I just don't think it will retain a long term place in the camera market. I'm looking at this from the perspective of someone that loves taking photos digitally and has an interest in getting into film. I'm using my experience to anticipate what beginners will experience. Casual shooters will casually leave it on a shelf if it doesn't deliver.

[@GrainOnTheGo]

@@KylersFilm I don’t think this camera is designed to hold a long term place in the market. It’s designed to test technologies, for example rewind and film advance manual mechanisms don’t usually have a place in half frames but here it does, same with any AF systems and what not. Pentax still has future ambitions. They’ll likely make an SLR, and that’ll see far more success. This is an over glorified market test.

[@KylersFilm]

This is very exciting to watch unfold to say the least!

[@2liakada]

I have exactely the same intention. Buying it in spite ofall it's limitations to make it successful and hoping it's the beginning of a path to a product I'll enjoy using like my beloved MX. I would really like to see Pentax having found a niche where they have a successful future. For them as a brand with a rich history and also for the future of analog photography.

[@southendsites]

I'm only interested in SLR cameras. I have lots of Pentax lenses so this compact is of no interest but may get a new generation into film and film handling. It will need a path though... A service that will print the result and will supply affordable film. With that it might succeed be it half or full frame.

[@iSleepDoc]

Buy Pentax first generation full frame camera, it will give new life to your old Pentax lenses

[@christianmayrhofer4178]

I'm waiting for the Rollei 35 AF made by Mint Cameras.

[@KylersFilm]

I haven't heard of this. Time to do some research!

[@jorgegomez-pi6fg]

This camera is a toy, it's not what I expected at all. Pentax should pay attention to the Konica Auto-Reflex from the mid-'60s, which was a very robust metal SLR camera that included a lever that allowed you to switch to medium format, something that was never manufactured again.

[@jmcgonnell]

what. thats their plan? oh boy. this should have been a SOLID point and shoot kind of thing, something on the lines of the ricoh gr.

[@jamescallahan7000]

Metal bodied m42 mount SLR with a half frame mask and a good TTL light meter is all they need. Don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. An affordable new production SLR with parts availability and warranty

[@KylersFilm]

I would be very interested in the camera you described. I'd like to sit in on some of the meetings Pentax is having for these cameras.

[@pjmverbruggen]

I bought the Pentax 17 and really enjoy shooting with it. The cost difference is defintely there: developing a role of film and scanning it costs 15 euro’s regardless full or halfframe. The only thing I need to do is to mention it upfront. So having two roles of 36 would cost me 30 euro and one role of 72 15 euro. That is 15 euro I can put back into my next role of film

[@KylersFilm]

That's a good lab to offer scanning for the same price!

[@pjmverbruggen]

@@KylersFilm yes agreed. Only prints get an additional price increase of 20%, but that is really logical in my book

[@Paulo_das_Neves]

For less than 50ish you can find a Chinon SLR and a Pentax-K glass. Enough to learn, have fun and you will get good results. Not sure why companies insist on these "cameras for beginners".

[@KylersFilm]

Good points

[@kiwipics]

There's nothing wrong with a half frame camera, and it's an ideal entry point camera. There have been many iconic cameras like this, and yes they have mostly been zone focusing.

[@KylersFilm]

Agreed, nothing wrong with half frame.

[@docdimo]

I just hope they retool the MZ-3 with all brass internal gears, so that it will last a lifetime. Thats all film shooters need.

[@KylersFilm]

I wish all products were made to last a lifetime. That would be sweet.

[@raymonddukes1656]

It sounds like it has auto-focus, but manual mode may be zone-based. Anyaway, maybe just wait and see, rather than forming an opinion yet.

[@KylersFilm]

We shall see!

[@PoetryOf]

I think a zone focus camera is perfect for first time shooters!!! It’s much easier for them to do that. Plus, if things are out of focus-that’s totally the vibe newer generations are going for. They LOVE blurry photos 😂

[@KylersFilm]

I must say, I clearly do not understand the blurry aesthetic 😂 I do however enjoy soft focus photos from time to time!

[@PoetryOf]

@@KylersFilm I’m with you on the blurry aesthetic. It’s extremely hard for me to make blurry pics and think it’s a good photo. But I can see, from an emotional level, why people like the blurry aesthetic. They remind me of abstract paintings-it isn’t about the composition, it’s about the feeling and what you FEEL when you look at an abstract painting. That’s how I see blurry pics

[@edwardcollins741]

I learned to shoot on a zone focussing camera, an old Kodak folder. You might get a gently used and fully functional 90s vintage point and shoot for cheap but how many of those older point and shoots might have gone into damp basement or hot attic with the batteries still installed?

[@KylersFilm]

I think the brand new aspect of these cameras might be the biggest reason to purchase them. Excellent point!

[@headwerkn]

I think the reason that you and most of us ‘film heads’ are disappointed by the news is because we’re simply not the target market for this first camera. We all want a modern day K1000, Pentax 67 or affordable mechanical interchangeable lens rangefinder, and there’s no way in hell Pentax have the technical or production means currently to deliver any of those at anywhere near a price the market will actually pay. Especially given that, with a handful of exceptions, perfectly good secondhand examples are readily available for the fraction of the ‘new’ cost, then or now. Pentax can’t compete in that space, at least not yet. What they can do - and widely, because it’s an open, growing market - is come up with much better but still affordable alternative/upgrade to the current raft of plastic, fixed focus and fixed exposure ‘reusable’ disposables. These are, of course, utter rubbish, but they’re still popular with younger people coming into film for the first time wanting to try. They’re available new, affordable from an impulse purchase POV, and straightforward to use due to having almost zero functionality. Of course, with no exposure control they tend to produce terrible photos more often than not and have a build quality that’s still more disposable than reusable. If Pentax can produce a more premium alternative - think higher end Instax and above - with a decent multi coated glass lens, non crappy plastic build, an electronically controlled shutter for accurate exposure and a bit of retro appeal ie. manual lever winding and some manual overrides - for US$100 -US$300 then plenty of new film users will find it compelling. Making it for that price means half frame (smaller body/lens) and zone focussing (cheaper mechanically, and easier for complete newbies than a rangefinder or SLR). Those design decisions make sense, and aren’t hard to see as advantages for the target market ie. compact take anywhere design, more shots/cheaper, legit ‘grainier’ film look, straightforward preset focussing. Basically we’re talking a modern day Olympus Pen with auto exposure and an electronically controlled shutter. Hardly a bad thing. Hopefully they get the balance between functionality, build quality and price right so that it sells enough to grow the film photography market and justify more ambitious cameras later on.

[@KylersFilm]

I'm definitely in the market for a new, well put together camera that will last a long time. I just think it's very unbalanced to put so much effort into every other part of the camera but then seemingly cheap out on fine focus control? We'll have to wait for the final product but my hunch is that this won't be very appealing to a very broad market.

[@lelandfitz1762]

Oh 10:00 just heard your thoughts on pricing. That`s not going to be around 30$ like the Kodak Ektar35. They said it will be priced around 500$... Don't know how you get to that pricing.

[@KylersFilm]

Where did they state $500?

[@lelandfitz1762]

@@KylersFilm The Magazine Camera Stay Analog had a meeting with Ricoh/Pentax and TKO in 2023. I just looked it up again, the precise wording is "The device could be priced above 500€/$" Definitely cheaper than Mint's ne Rollei35AF that could cost up to 800$ but going off of the pricing 500$ should get you a decent camera with useful technology built in.

[@KylersFilm]

I wonder if he was referring to the SLR they plan to produce later on. I would have a hard time suggesting it as an entry level camera if that truly ends up being pricing.

[@lelandfitz1762]

@@KylersFilm Just delivering a camera that`s on par with Kodak's or Agfaphoto's Half-Frame plastic cameras wouldn't really make the point they are communicating since 2022. They were specifically talking about their entry camera. They got a prototyp they didn't show yet and talked about it. I would wish for a price around 200-300. But that seems to much to ask for a "real" camera. AFAIK the Australian Project and camera shop FilmNeverDie will come out with a new camera aswell, called Nana. It's supposed to cost 150 or 200$ (I guess US-$). And their camera really is more of a reusable plastic camera on steroids. Meaning: they maybe use a little bit more metal and a glas lens and have some rudimentary focussing technique (I dont understand it but its going to focus by pushing the backside of the camera closer to the lens or something). I agree that 500 is very high. But compared to the Rollei35AF it's cheaper. I don't know if the specs are drastically different or if Pentax just is bigger than Mint and doesn't have to make revenue instantly on this camera.

[@ivan.90125]

​@@KylersFilmBut how much do entry level digital cameras cost? Not much less I think. It's obvious that it won't be cheap, the technology isn't new, but it's definitely pricey to start producing something you haven't for years.

[@blotafton]

Im more interested in a quality compact. A half frame with zone focus should be cheap, fully auto and driven by a selenium meter.

[@KylersFilm]

That would be cool. However, if this is meant to bring new people into the world of film, zone focusing is a fairly advanced skill to have right out the gate.

[@Socrates...]

I feel that the more basic the camera, the more the new photographer has to rely on his own judgement, the better. Therefore I am all for a zone focusing camera. For instance the Rollei 35 is a superb concept, and a cheapened version of this for the beginner would be great.

[@map3384]

I’m rather disappointed. I was hoping for a 35mm film mirrorless camera with manual and aperture priority using the old K lens mount making obtaining some very good glass cheaply. Shutter speeds 30-1/2000.

[@KylersFilm]

It does feel underwhelming when a company with so much heritage plans on releasing a camera as they've described. It will be cool, no doubt about that but I think people were hoping for more out of the gate. If this goes well then we can hope for more! Don't give up on them yet!

[@map3384]

@@KylersFilm Eventually they’ll produce something like a modern ME Super. Mine Kaputt on me a few years back. It’s those older electronics which older electronic cameras which tend to fail. A modern K1000 with a metal body would be pricey but assume.

[@MelchiorumJS]

It all sounds like they are making another cheap "toy" camera, which there are plenty of on the market already (such as the ones from Kodak). Which is really frustrating, because we haven't had a proper film camera released in a long time, while film has been making a comeback. Out of all newly produced cameras it's all Leica or plastic toys with nothing in between.

[@KylersFilm]

Absolutely! A refresh on Ricoh's GR series would be incredible and would probably move shipping containers in masses! Just waiting for someone brave enough to do it! A pipe dream I have personally is opening up a production line for the mamiya 7 again!

[@sdhute]

I would imagine this will be a 300 camera. Zone focus is a plus for those who shoot on the street.

[@utterlee]

Is it going to basically be a Kodak Ektar H35N?

[@KylersFilm]

It will be very similar to the Ektar HE5N, but I believe that it will have a higher build quality and will have variable exposure settings.

[@Bonsees]

Film photography got my wallet on a chokehold cause I wanna support this too 😩 Nice haircut btw

[@KylersFilm]

Emphasis on that chokehold! I want to support it with whatever pennies I have left. Crossing my fingers that someone makes another Mamiya 7 that I can take out a small loan for with parts available 😭

[@WhoIsSerafin]

If you love film photography and it's in the 100 dollars range, you should buy it and either use it or put it in the drawer to never be seen again. Just to support them for extra revenue to make the next level camera. Otherwise, that's it, and you better start saving up for a leica if you want a new camera off the production line. I don't use film since 2000 but I do enjoy watching this younger generation create with it.

[@KylersFilm]

Excellent point. I forgot to mention that I feel the same way about supporting companies with your wallet when they are on the right track.

[@mgman6000]

Just buy a good vintage film camera and learn how to use it like I did 60 years ago I don't know why Pentax wants to put out a modern film camera when they could CLR vintage cameras and sell them at a reasonable price with a guarantee

[@KylersFilm]

The big benefit of producing a well made new camera for me would be readily available parts. The fuse in the dynamite right now is that the only film camera being produced is Leica. That means parts will thin out more and more over time until we can't fix any of the old cameras anymore. Unfortunately, it sounds like this Pentax camera won't fit that criteria. :/

[@WhoIsSerafin]

@KylersFilm Available parts. People want a warranty and appreciate new shiny things, which is more likely to make them spend money. And if one company has a successful product that motivates other companies to put out new products. You want a steady stream of new inventory of film cameras which means more people will buy film. If the market is flooded with more film they produce more film. If they produce more film, it's likely film prices go down.

[@JimiJames]

vertical format? why, WHY.

[@KylersFilm]

Now you can share your photos better on social media! /s

[@SteveKleinheider]

Try drinking some coffee prior to your next video! :)

[@KylersFilm]

Deal! I am trying to be a better presenter. I just need to get out of my own head while filming. I appreciate your kind but honest criticism. :)

[@stephenr6913]

Anyone who buys one of these things will be astonished at the cost of developing. Actually a plastic bodied OM-10 would be a good choice.

[@iSleepDoc]

Problem with film camera is developing price…..new photographers can enjoy the art of photography by using fujifilm dslr which gives you much more manual features.

[@KylersFilm]

You make some good points