Film has been experiencing a pretty big surge in popularity. Is it so popular that makers will produce new film cameras? Probably not, but if they do, here are some I’ve been dreaming of.

New film cameras from Pentax

Pentax is at the top of my list for several reasons. For sure, I’m a Pentax fan-boy. However, they also make a lot of sense as a manufacturer who could bring out some new film cameras. Pentax’s K-mount goes back for decades and is still their lens mount of choice.

Pentax could bring back a 35mm film camera without having to change a thing with their lens production. I would love to see a 35mm Pentax K1 style camera. Perhaps they could do an MX or K1000 style camera with some electronics to function with modern lenses.

A new medium format film camera is one thing Pentax could do that no one else on this list can. Like the K-mount, the Pentax 645 lens mount is old and still being used for their 645Z. If Pentax gave us a new 645 film camera, they would likely be able to keep their 645 lens line-up as is. (Unless the new digital era lenses don’t cover a full 6×4.5 frame.)

New film cameras from Nikon

Shortly after I started planning to write this blog post, Nikon made more moves to get out of DSLRs. This makes it seem unlikely that we’d see a revival of the F6. However, that’s exactly what I wish would happen with new film cameras from Nikon.

Like Pentax, the Nikon F-mount is ancient. There are so many lenses on the used market and Nikon is still producing them as of now. Perhaps an updated F6 or F100 that’s compatible with the newer “E” series lenses would be nice.

Nikon also tried to jump on board the retro camera crazy with their ZFC. That camera was a huge letdown, but maybe they could just build a new version of the Nikon FG? Now that’d be an actually cool retro camera to have.

New film cameras from Canon

Like Nikon, Canon has made it clear they’re moving away from SLR design. So this is likely another pipe dream for new film cameras from them. However, there are perhaps more used EF mount lenses on the market than any other mount and Canon is still producing them for now.

My dream for a new Canon 35mm camera would be for an updated camera like the Elan 7 or an EOS 1v. A rugged, pro-style body with modern AF for film shooters. The ergonomics on those camera bodies are excellent as is, but having some upgrades for durability and function would be amazing.

Bonus: Could Fujifilm do it?

While we’re talking about unlikely new cameras, I had the idea that Fuji could potentially make one. They have a history of producing awesome medium-format film cameras. Stuff like the Fuji GW690, lovingly dubbed the “Texas Leica”. They also produced some stuff for Hasselblad and had their own branded version of the vaunted X-Pan.

Could it be possible for new film cameras from Fuji to utilize their GFX lenses? My thought was if they built another 645 style rangefinder, it could be possible. They’d have to figure out a way to get the electronic focus to work with an optical rangefinder. I’m also doubting GFX lenses cover the 6×4.5 frame. However, could they utilize a slightly smaller frame size and fit more photos on a roll of 120? I definitely don’t know!

Will we ever see a new film camera from a major manufacturer?

Outside of Leica, pretty much every big-name brand has ducked out of film. Even with the popularity boom in the film industry, it seems unlikely that we’ll see any new film cameras from the big makers. It’s tough to say though. There’s a growing market for 3d printed film cameras now. Perhaps these types of markets will grow enough that the big names can’t ignore them.

Of all the dreams I’ve listed in this post, I think the most likely would be Pentax. They’re very traditional, focused on the SLR shooting experience, and they love photography. If their conservatism doesn’t hold them back from the risk, they are very well positioned to be the company to provide us with new film cameras.

What do you all think is most likely to happen? Do you have any dream film cameras you’d like to see revived? Perhaps you want to see Phase One revive Mamiya and drop a new 645 camera, or DJI to do something with Hasselblad. Maybe Kodak will make a real camera again? Let me know in the comments!