Regardless of whether Pentax has anything to do with analog photography or not, analog photography is not dead. The Pentax Film Project, announced at the end of 2022, has one goal: to develop and release a new 35mm film camera for the TikTok generation.
It may sound like a bold idea, but there's evidence that Pentax is on to something. With the viral hype around the Fujifilm X100V selling out everywhere, interest in the retro-style camera is at an all-time high.
Two years after the project was launched, we are now on the verge of the cameras breaking cover. Pentax, or its parent company Ricoh Imaging, says its new film camera will be announced this summer.
Thanks to a series of video stories depicting the development of this model, we can see that it is targeted at entry-level photographers new to the world of film. We also know that it will feature manual elements reminiscent of classic analog cameras, such as hand-wound film advance.
To give you a complete overview of what Pentax's new film camera will be like when it hits stores, we've compiled all the information currently available online. Here's the latest Pentax film camera news, from potential release dates to pricing and design.
We also determined which features were most likely to be commercialized.
Pentax film camera: release date and price
Neither the name nor the price of the new Pentax film camera has been officially revealed, but we can get some clues from what Pentax has said about the camera's target market and development process.
According to Pentax, the new film camera is designed “to help young photographers entering the world of film photography enjoy photography to the fullest.” We also know that this camera will shoot half-frame portrait photos (see below) as one way to combat rising film prices in 2024 by maximizing the value of each frame. .
Both of these factors suggest that new Pentax film cameras will be affordable for young photographers. But in a camera genre that has been relatively dormant for over a decade, defining entry level is easier said than done, especially considering Pentax spent a full year developing and prototyping the new model. , it's not that easy.
As mentioned in an interview with Digital Camera World, Pentax faced several hurdles building a film camera from scratch. Ricoh's own press release from March 2024 states that the film project team had to “overcome a wide range of difficult and complex issues” including the need to source parts.
It remains to be seen whether this will affect the camera's retail price. We're pleased to say that the $250/£200/AU$375 pricing puts this new model truly within reach for many new photographers. In reality, it is likely to be quite costly. Perhaps its closest rival is the Polaroid I-2, one of the best instant cameras, which, like the Pentax, has manual controls. Retail price is $599.99 / £599 / €699.99, but this might be a more realistic price for Pentax.
Pentax film cameras: design and interface
Pentax K1000 film camera in the shadows (Image credit: Zigmar Stein / Shutterstock)
Pentax has announced that the new model will be a 35mm compact film camera. As reported by Digital Camera World, Takeo Suzuki (product planner and designer) also said, “I want you to carry it around like a smartphone.'' Both statements suggest that this model is well packaged and has compact proportions that make it easy to carry.
Beyond this, little is known about the style of Pentax's film cameras, but certain references and the broader context suggest that they adopt the vintage look that made models like the Fujifilm X100V such hits. It can be inferred that this is the case. Together with Generation Z.
According to Pentax, the design of this lens was inspired by the Ricoh Autohalf released in 1962 and the Pentax Espio Mini released in 1994. Both have the “retro” characteristics of their respective eras, and the styles themselves are appealing. ” While not necessarily taking cues from these cameras, the signs are promising for photographers in the market for nostalgia.
As for the interface, we know from Pentax that the film camera will offer a hybrid of automatic and manual functionality, combining ease of use for beginners with the tactile satisfaction of analog input. Pentax has confirmed that the camera will feature automatic aperture and shutter speed control, allowing users to operate the camera as an autofocus.
However, in some cases, it also mentions the ability to “manually change some settings” via “dial control.” Pentax hasn't provided any details about what shooting modes such a dial would include, but it does suggest that the film camera offers some room for manual creativity beyond the default automatic settings. ing.
Perhaps the most talked about element is the camera's “hand-wound film advance mechanism.'' This manual lever recalls the origins of SLR film photography. Combined with a crank that rewinds the film at the end of a roll shoot, it delivers the true analog shooting experience that Pentax promises. Pentax itself acknowledged that an electric unit would make assembly easier, but wanted users to “enjoy the movement and sound of winding and rewinding.''
Pentax also acknowledges that concerns about reliability and repair costs may make some people think twice before buying a vintage analog camera, especially when the price of a damaged film roll is higher than ever. Masu. This suggests that Pentax has considered the new camera's robustness, which is backed up by the inclusion of a full manufacturer's warranty.
Pentax film cameras: formats and focal lengths
One of the key features of the Pentax film camera is that it shoots half-frame images. This means taking two shots for every standard frame of 35mm film. This is not a new concept. It's used in classic cameras like the Ricoh Auto Half shown above, as well as more recent experimental models like the Lomography Diana Mini.
Traditionally, the half-frame format has been envisioned as a way to tell a story by contrasting different scenes or subjects across a composite image. Pentax cites this as one of the reasons for using the format, but other motivations for bringing back half-frame photography are largely rooted in his 2024.
One is cost. Taking two photos per frame doubles the number of photos you get from your film roll. So, assuming nothing is lost during processing, you'll get 48 stills from a 24-shot roll, or a generous 72 stills from a 36-shot roll. . Considering current film prices, the half-frame approach reduces the cost per shot and makes the experience more accessible for new photographers.
(Image provided by: Ricoh)
Another justification for Pentax is similar. The new camera may be analog, but Pentax knows its users are primarily digital. That means most users will want to share the resulting photos online in some way. And online, vertical aspect ratio matters. When shooting at half size, all images become portraits. So no matter how a photographer chooses to digitize their film prints, the proportions will remain appropriate for social media.
As mentioned above, the optical design of the camera's lens is inspired by both the Ricoh Auto Half and the Pentax Espio Mini. The former was equipped with a fixed focus 25mm f/2.8 lens, while the latter was equipped with a 32mm f/3.5 prime.
(Image provided by: Ricoh)
It's easy to see why Pentax chooses a focal length/aperture combination somewhere between the two.
The 28mm lens provides a versatile natural perspective for framing in point-and-shoot scenarios that most people are likely to use. On the other hand, an aperture of around f/2.8 nails the shallow depth of field effect it captures. The hearts and minds of Generation Z.
Features and performance of Pentax film cameras
As for how the Pentax Film Project camera works, Pentax has already revealed quite a bit about how the camera works. The main feature is the electronic shutter, which automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed, making photography easy even for first-time users.
According to Pentax, this electronic shutter is customized for film cameras with the aim of eliminating exposure issues that can be encountered by those not accustomed to manual shooting and limiting the number of wasted frames. That's what it means.
As mentioned above, Pentax has confirmed that there will be some degree of manual control, but it's not yet clear how much freedom users will have. Considering Pentax's comments regarding underexposure/overexposure, it seems likely that manual mode will be limited to shutter speed and aperture priority. This gives the user some creative flexibility while automating the rest of the configuration and making the results widely usable in most situations.
The focus settings also emphasize this electronic/manual hybrid. Users of Pentax film cameras will not benefit from modern autofocus. Instead, you should learn the “zone focusing” technique. Manually adjusted using a ring around the lens, this traditional system sets focus based on the distance of the subject from the camera.
This pre-configured approach works especially well with focal lengths of 35mm and below, in environments like street and parties where Pentax film cameras seem popular.
Pentax also says it wants to help new users with a “mechanism that allows you to see the selected focus zone at a glance when you look through the viewfinder.”
This feedback element flattens the learning curve for beginners, but also leaves room for happy mishaps as a result of zone focusing. These occur when a subject becomes out of focus at the boundary between one zone and the next. This effect is replicated by countless digital filters on Instagram and TikTok.
Summary of Pentax film camera rumors
Pentax has been relatively transparent about what to expect from its upcoming film cameras. His compact 35mm model, designed with young photographers in mind, features both analog and electronic features. Inspired by Ricoh Auto Half, it shoots half-frame images on standard film rolls, doubling the number of potential exposures of his, yet providing vertical still images suitable for sharing online. Masu.
Aperture and shutter speed are automatically controlled, and film advance uses a manual lever and rewind crank. Instead of autofocus, the camera relies on traditional zone focusing and uses some kind of indicator in the viewfinder to increase sharpness.
The details of some of these features, such as the degree of manual control, lens focal length, and what the camera actually looks like, are less certain. This model is aimed at beginners, but there is no clear announcement about the price, and we do not know exactly when it will arrive in the summer of 2024.
(Image source: Kodak)
What's clear is that when Pentax's film camera finally takes off its veil, it aims to inspire a new generation of analog photographers. Although some enthusiasts will be disappointed by the lack of interchangeable lenses, the new model aims to capture the current enthusiasm for vintage photography. If successful, it could be the gateway to a broader revival of the genre, and could lead to the introduction of other film camera projects by Pentax.
This is not the first film camera to appear on the market in recent years. But whereas models like his similarly half-frame Kodak Ektar H35 favored the complete simplicity of fixed focus, aperture, and shutter speed, the Pentax Film Project offers something entirely different.
On the one hand, you get an accessible hybrid reimagining of an analog camera designed to capitalize on the retro trend that's exploded in popularity among Gen Zers. On the other hand, you get a modern half-frame film camera with high-quality optics, an electronic camera. Shutter and zone focus, as well as some degree of manual control, all should appeal to enthusiasts as well.
