>>4114075Never. At least on higher end. Digital is more profitable. Semi locked mounts, bodies that eventually break, lenses that eventually break, or need costly refurbishing. There's not point competing with yourself. Instant film makes sense, though. Proprietary format, both bodies and film locked behind patents.
Full statement in pic, some highlights:
>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. hehe, cosina, as suspected
>In an online questionnaire that Ricoh Imaging/PENTAX conducted with some 3,000 users in Japan, approximately 20 percent of camera users owned film cameras, not including disposable or instant cameras.not instant film, then
>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.>All of this was done with the goal of developing and marketing new products that can fully satisfy user needs. We have taken on exciting new challenges, some of which push beyond the boundaries of conventional wisdom. We also are selling new products which were only made possible by our unique technologies and craftsmanship, such as the worldwide marketing of special-edition, limited-quantity models. haha, get ready for special edition prices, baka gaijin!
>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 camerasi can't read this part. lost in translation, probably. protection clause in case something goes wrong, or statement that they're not making traditional film cameras.
