Ricoh Considering Increasing Pentax 17 Production to Meet Soaring Demand

Ricoh is considering ramping up production of the Pentax 17, a new half-frame film camera, due to overwhelming demand. Since its launch, the Pentax 17 has been a massive success, prompting Ricoh to halt new orders as it struggles to meet the high demand.

Initially scheduled for release last month, the Pentax 17’s availability has been delayed in many regions. While some markets are receiving more units than others, most cannot keep up with demand. Even in the United States, where camera stock is prioritized, customers face a delay of at least a week after placing an order. Ricoh ceased accepting orders through its web store over two weeks ago, including in North America, as it works to align production with demand.

“Due to the current supply situation, it will take a considerable amount of time to deliver the product,” Ricoh stated in June. “Ricoh Imaging Store and other official EC sites will temporarily suspend accepting orders until we have a certain outlook for product supply.”

The situation is more challenging in other regions. In Japan, where fewer units are available, many pre-order customers remain uncertain about when they will receive the $500 film camera.

Takeo Suzuki, lead designer of the Pentax 17 and head of the Pentax Film project, indicated to IT Media that Ricoh is considering expanding production capabilities to catch up with demand. However, the company will not increase the camera’s price, which could reduce demand by making it less affordable.

“We stuck to the price of $500, as it was the bare minimum that even young people overseas could afford,” Suzuki explained.

From the outset, the Pentax 17 was designed for young film photography enthusiasts who had no choice but to buy old, hard-to-repair cameras without warranties.

“As a manufacturer, I wanted to release a new film camera, offer a warranty, and create an environment where people could enjoy them with peace of mind,” Suzuki said.

The camera’s popularity has exceeded expectations, leading to the current supply challenges.

“The product is produced in Vietnam, and due to the weak yen in Japan, it is more expensive than in other places, but we still received more orders than we had expected. Orders are currently temporarily halted and we have no idea when they will resume, but we are considering increasing production in response.” By considering an increase in Pentax 17 production, Ricoh aims to meet the soaring demand and provide this highly sought-after camera to film photography enthusiasts worldwide.

Everything I write about is my own opinion or things I’ve either researched, taken a picture of, seen news about, and want to share. Let’s keep the conversation going, post a comment below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All fields marked with * must be filled.
Please enter a valid email.