People are missing the point. This is the first, and simplest, of hopefully several new Pentax film cameras. It's targeted at smartphone photographers who want to try film but have no experience and don't want to take a risk on a 20-30 year old camera that may or may not work. Entry level.
Exactly. Not everyone is a hardcore hobbyist like us. My friend wanted to get into film and I had to give him all these caveats about used cameras (shutter capping, light leaks, mechanical issues etc) and he almost gave up. Lots of people just want to buy something new that works.
I think it's also for people who are familiar with film and also want something new and save money at the same time w/ half-frame. It will capture some of that market too (probably me). I have a Yashica Electro 35 now. It's technically a more capable camera (faster shutter, brighter aperture, timer, full aperture control) with a good light meter, but it's aging. I would support this just to see what Pentax (or other manufacturers) might do to compete/follow-up.
curious what people who are saying “too expensive” are using as a point of reference? This is a brand new film camera. If you factor in inflation it’s pretty close to mid-range point and shoots from when film was the only option . Maybe a little high but I think the price is fair for a new film camera from Pentax.
I have an oriiginal Ricoh auto half half frame camera that I have never really used. This is inspitring me to get it out and do a review so people can compare that with this.Thank you Pentax. I started off with Pentax spotmatic doing weddings and have had and still do film and digital pentaxes. cheers Geoff from Australia.
Thank you for this informative introduction. I feel, I have to thank Ricoh for keeping the name of Pentax alive. A brand name that represents decades of innovation.
I would love the next option to be a high-end compact, similar to a Contax T3, put on a 40mm or a 43mm lens in front , that would be awesome. or maybe based on the old takumar 28mm f3.5. That would be awesome.
How many compact cameras do you know that have an exposure compensation dial, a prime lens, metal top and bottom and cost less than $500 new or in mint condition? That's what this camera represents, comparing it with the stinky K1000 from a dying smoker grandpa that a russian scammer is selling on eBay is pointless...
I have a Pentax P3 film camera still in use when I can find film available and Development labs to process. I know film has not totally disappeared. I am very interested in new Pentax film cameras coming out. I hope film processing will come back more prevalent because I enjoy shooting film.
If people are excited by this-young people who like film, for instance-more power to them. The half-frame aspect gives me pause, personally. I used an Olympus Pen F for a few years and had several lenses for it. One of the coolest cameras ever, but the quality of the negatives was not good enough for me. You can tell the difference in a letter-sized print between full- and half-frame, and dust or chemical residue on the negatives is a factor. Those are hard things to control if you aren't developing your own film, and I don't think most young shooters want to go that far.
"Is the lens made of glass?" "That hasn't been disclosed." Well, why not? You just launched the camera! It's for sale! And you won't tell us, even though you're happy to say the top/bottom plates are magnesium alloy? I guess "hasn't been disclosed" is code for PLASTIC.
I think every young person who shoots film and actually cares about it beyond the social media glare also really cares about their negatives. That is not to nag on half frame at all.
That would have drastically increased the complexity, cost, and likely size due to needing a lens with twice the image circle. I think we’ll see an FF version sooner than later of these sell well (which I think they will, in spades), but they couldn’t have afforded a higher price on this one, and a bigger lens would have spoiled the pocketable appeal.
Why all the hype about a half frame camera. Is this for people who are too lazy to turn their full frame side ways? Half the frame means half the resolution when scanning. Nice try Pentax, but I'd rather see someone make a new version of an X-Pan.
I've been a photographer for 50 years, shooting formats from old 3D cameras to 4X4. $500 for this camera is too expensive for a half frame cam. Not to mention, this new camera has a Fixed lens. You can spend less for a used full frame camera that will have better sharpness with less grain and many more selections of lenses. Come on, even the latest cell phones have better rez and lower noise than this cam. But if your a film addict, just pickup an used full frame 35mm camera or even a 2 1/4 camera. Or go hog wild and buy a used 4X5. Nothing against Pentax, my first pro camera was a Spotmatic with 3 used lens. Started my career with that camera and ending up shooting table top 4X5 for major clients. Oh, and I love B&H, bought many goodies from them for 40 years or so.
This camera should be seen more as a fundraising campaign for future projects... As a product it has its place, sure it is too expensive for what it is, but it is an investment in the future of analog photography.
Easy to bash the creative spirit to try and launch a film camera in 2024. Hope the community supports this and gives them the commercial confidence to expand the product line. Too keep film going we need risk takers and I love how they have also looked at bringing this to the younger generation. Hope the ecosystem gets a boost and creates win wins for all.
Not able to disclose if the lens in the camera is glass or not...then it's plastic. $500 for this camera is too much, but I do give Pentax a standing ovation for making a new film camera. I do hope that this is the beginning of more advanced 35mm film cameras down the road. Nikon and Canon, take note!
It's not plastic, it's the same lens that in Pentax Espio but with moderns multicoating, so it's even better than one of the sharpest pocket cameras ever. They said it in the video. Watch it before saying nonsense
300 US temu bro , the half frame, save money, public relations effort is a bad effort. Fixed lens at 24mm. I don’t think it will drop in price. It’s basically aimed at the digital market, Dropbox film community, never retrieve the negs, printing, what is that. I would take it on hip shooting, pushed heavy contrast day, add in some Rodinal, an enlarger, get creative. I am interested in what can be made with them tho. What can the lens do its not a 1983 Nikon L35 af which you can get for 300.
Actually, I think this one is going to fly off the shelves despite the price. Lots and lots of people will jump around a brand new film camera with these features, a year warranty and an option to extend the warranty to 3 years.
The fact that people aren't just walking away the minute they learn that it's $500 for a half frame film camera shows how pathetic the market has become. I guess Pentax is trying to rope in the suckers who think that "shooting film" will make them cool even though the pix are half the quality of what was considered normal for 35mm shooting?
People are missing the point. This is the first, and simplest, of hopefully several new Pentax film cameras. It's targeted at smartphone photographers who want to try film but have no experience and don't want to take a risk on a 20-30 year old camera that may or may not work. Entry level.
Exactly. Not everyone is a hardcore hobbyist like us. My friend wanted to get into film and I had to give him all these caveats about used cameras (shutter capping, light leaks, mechanical issues etc) and he almost gave up. Lots of people just want to buy something new that works.
I think it's also for people who are familiar with film and also want something new and save money at the same time w/ half-frame. It will capture some of that market too (probably me). I have a Yashica Electro 35 now. It's technically a more capable camera (faster shutter, brighter aperture, timer, full aperture control) with a good light meter, but it's aging. I would support this just to see what Pentax (or other manufacturers) might do to compete/follow-up.
The sample photos are amazing, they don't look like test shots, they look like real photos that have a purpose and good taste behind them.
curious what people who are saying “too expensive” are using as a point of reference? This is a brand new film camera. If you factor in inflation it’s pretty close to mid-range point and shoots from when film was the only option . Maybe a little high but I think the price is fair for a new film camera from Pentax.
I have an oriiginal Ricoh auto half half frame camera that I have never really used. This is inspitring me to get it out and do a review so people can compare that with this.Thank you Pentax. I started off with Pentax spotmatic doing weddings and have had and still do film and digital pentaxes. cheers Geoff from Australia.
I love reading the film snob comments. So much hate..... At least someone is out there making a film camera that isn't just a toy...
Sounds like fun. Thanks for the review and would love to try this out!
I’m interested in a full frame higher-end NEW Pentax
Thank you for this informative introduction. I feel, I have to thank Ricoh for keeping the name of Pentax alive. A brand name that represents decades of innovation.
I will buy the 17, and a 645 rangefinder if they ever offer one.
I would love the next option to be a high-end compact, similar to a Contax T3, put on a 40mm or a 43mm lens in front , that would be awesome. or maybe based on the old takumar 28mm f3.5. That would be awesome.
Love Canon and Pentax, Canon is for professional shots, Pentax for developing skills and going ahead.
Already requested a B&H stock alert.
How many compact cameras do you know that have an exposure compensation dial, a prime lens, metal top and bottom and cost less than $500 new or in mint condition? That's what this camera represents, comparing it with the stinky K1000 from a dying smoker grandpa that a russian scammer is selling on eBay is pointless...
My friend bought a mint Zorki-4 for $40 two months ago.
@@Borderline_BaS Do you even know what a compact camera is?
I have a Pentax P3 film camera still in use when I can find film available and Development labs to process. I know film has not totally disappeared. I am very interested in new Pentax film cameras coming out. I hope film processing will come back more prevalent because I enjoy shooting film.
If people are excited by this-young people who like film, for instance-more power to them. The half-frame aspect gives me pause, personally. I used an Olympus Pen F for a few years and had several lenses for it. One of the coolest cameras ever, but the quality of the negatives was not good enough for me. You can tell the difference in a letter-sized print between full- and half-frame, and dust or chemical residue on the negatives is a factor. Those are hard things to control if you aren't developing your own film, and I don't think most young shooters want to go that far.
"Is the lens made of glass?"
"That hasn't been disclosed."
Well, why not? You just launched the camera! It's for sale! And you won't tell us, even though you're happy to say the top/bottom plates are magnesium alloy? I guess "hasn't been disclosed" is code for PLASTIC.
I want one.
same
I think every young person who shoots film and actually cares about it beyond the social media glare also really cares about their negatives. That is not to nag on half frame at all.
What i think would had been cool would had been to give us the option to make it full frame. Maybe add a lever to make it half or full
That would have drastically increased the complexity, cost, and likely size due to needing a lens with twice the image circle. I think we’ll see an FF version sooner than later of these sell well (which I think they will, in spades), but they couldn’t have afforded a higher price on this one, and a bigger lens would have spoiled the pocketable appeal.
Maybe they should have made it Pentax A110 mount, to at least have a 5 lens option?
Make a new 6x7 format camera that is easier to travel with than the Pentax 67.
Something like the Mamiya 7 but a Pentax. I’ll pay $2500
I'm just waiting for the mirrorless Pentax 645.
We need advance levers on digital cams! LOL
Da Germans do one
Epson R-D1 had one, and used Leica M lenses, but it's only 6mp.
Why all the hype about a half frame camera. Is this for people who are too lazy to turn their full frame side ways? Half the frame means half the resolution when scanning. Nice try Pentax, but I'd rather see someone make a new version of an X-Pan.
I've been a photographer for 50 years, shooting formats from old 3D cameras to 4X4. $500 for this camera is too expensive for a half frame cam. Not to mention, this new camera has a Fixed lens. You can spend less for a used full frame camera that will have better sharpness with less grain and many more selections of lenses. Come on, even the latest cell phones have better rez and lower noise than this cam. But if your a film addict, just pickup an used full frame 35mm camera or even a 2 1/4 camera. Or go hog wild and buy a used 4X5. Nothing against Pentax, my first pro camera was a Spotmatic with 3 used lens. Started my career with that camera and ending up shooting table top 4X5 for major clients. Oh, and I love B&H, bought many goodies from them for 40 years or so.
Couldn't agree more !
Oof I was excited until I read this…
Fixed lens is not an issue at all. What's wrong is f3.5, just 1/350 max shutter speed, and no AF. Zone focus, really Pentax?!
This camera should be seen more as a fundraising campaign for future projects... As a product it has its place, sure it is too expensive for what it is, but it is an investment in the future of analog photography.
Easy to bash the creative spirit to try and launch a film camera in 2024. Hope the community supports this and gives them the commercial confidence to expand the product line. Too keep film going we need risk takers and I love how they have also looked at bringing this to the younger generation. Hope the ecosystem gets a boost and creates win wins for all.
to hell with your project, where is k1 iii?
Not able to disclose if the lens in the camera is glass or not...then it's plastic. $500 for this camera is too much, but I do give Pentax a standing ovation for making a new film camera. I do hope that this is the beginning of more advanced 35mm film cameras down the road. Nikon and Canon, take note!
It's not plastic, it's the same lens that in Pentax Espio but with moderns multicoating, so it's even better than one of the sharpest pocket cameras ever. They said it in the video. Watch it before saying nonsense
@@MinoltaCamera Ok, here's my nonsense, look at 34:17. I did watch the entire video, btw!
I got a Nikon F100, in perfect conditions for $200.
Too expensive
at $300 it would fly off the shelves... I think it will get to that point.
300 US temu bro , the half frame, save money, public relations effort is a bad effort. Fixed lens at 24mm. I don’t think it will drop in price. It’s basically aimed at the digital market, Dropbox film community, never retrieve the negs, printing, what is that. I would take it on hip shooting, pushed heavy contrast day, add in some Rodinal, an enlarger, get creative. I am interested in what can be made with them tho. What can the lens do its not a 1983 Nikon L35 af which you can get for 300.
Actually, I think this one is going to fly off the shelves despite the price. Lots and lots of people will jump around a brand new film camera with these features, a year warranty and an option to extend the warranty to 3 years.
@@DaveEtchells that why I have a brand new m6 not a gimmick a real camera heavy metal
The fact that people aren't just walking away the minute they learn that it's $500 for a half frame film camera shows how pathetic the market has become. I guess Pentax is trying to rope in the suckers who think that "shooting film" will make them cool even though the pix are half the quality of what was considered normal for 35mm shooting?
Pentax. Creating antiquation in 2024.
Way too expensive for a half frame camera that was basically made for Instagram. They lost what made photography great.