Yes, please with a side of take my money.
Any new film camera gets my attention. But a Pentax? Even more so.
While I pride myself on being brand agnostic this primarily applies to digital cameras. I have had many digital Pentax cameras. In no particular order I once had a K-70, K-3, K-3ii, and K-1. All wonderful cameras that are capable of great results. But ultimately my Pentax film allegiance did not translate into a digital allegiance. But brand plays a part with film. Pentax is the first SLR I learned as taught to me by my Father.
So as I let go of my digital Pentax cameras, no such thing occurred with film cameras.
Two above stay in regular rotation. The 645N…
…and *ist.
The others are more sentimental. The SF10 was gifted to me by my local camera shop. The ME Super is the same model my Father taught me with. My Father’s ME Super packed it in but I have kept it as well.
I could go on rambling about the technical reasons why I like Pentax cameras, but if I am honest it is a sentimental choice. But a new film camera does make sense to me. A borderline no brainer. Leica is out here selling film cameras in the year of our Lord 2023 and no one bats an eye. For many thousands. While I agree Pentax does not carry the same cache, provenance, etc. as Leica if a solid unit is offered for a reasonable sum I will definitely buy it. And I do not think I am alone in this.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 