Ricoh launched the Film Camera Project, a research and development program that would consider the development of a new film camera under the Pentax brand. To benefit from Pentax’s extensive experience in the analog camera market, the new film camera research and development will combine seasoned 35mm engineers with more recent hires.

“There has been a rebirth in interest in film cameras recently,” Ricoh writes in a press release. “We want to use the film camera skills and technologies developed by Ricoh Imaging/Pentax over the years and provide camera enthusiasts worldwide with new film camera products.”

According to Ricoh, the Film Camera Project consists of two distinct activities. First, assess the possibility of developing and marketing a new film camera. As Ricoh Imaging/PENTAX has developed expertise in developing film cameras, the company will “examine whether veteran and young generation engineers can work together to inherit the technology and bring a new perspective.”

Ricoh claims it plans to co-create the camera with film photographers should the initiative succeed. Ricoh claims it intends to consider the opinions of photographers who would like to see a new Pentax film camera come to life during the development process using both online and offline forums.

Generation Z, fascinated by the process, seems to be the driving force for the comeback of film.

“Many young photographers also enjoy taking photos with film cameras, developing the film, and then uploading images in digitalized form to social media sites without making final prints,” says Ricoh. “At the same time, few manufacturers today build and sell new film cameras. Some film camera users expressed concerns about the aftercare service for used film cameras. 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.”