How about new dSLRs, Full Frame and/or APSC, a new super range of manual focus lens, but with a focus confirmation in the camera for those who need or want it.
Get rid of the rest of the programme/auto modes and all the other electronic bling that is either not necessary or better done on PC, laptop or tablet. Keep just the 4 basic exposure modes Manual, Tv, Av and Tav. Keep in body shake reduction and exposure compensation. No Video.
Is that not a great creative photographic system?
From my experience youngsters don't want interchangeable lens systems because they are far too complicated. I've been using Pentax cameras for over 40 years and some of the controls still baffle me.
Basic, well built dSLR cameras with fewer Knobs, Dials and Buttons are what is needed, along with a good range of lens. If Pentax try to out do the other manufacturers with technology on a new dSLR then, IMO, they won't last much longer. Pentax have always been different from the others and the way to be different now is to be simpler.

Interesting piece on Pentax Rumours

https://pentaxrumors.com/2026/04/10/ricoh-we-will-not-abandon-slrs-we-discussed-...#more-23577

A few shots taken in the last few weeks on my MZ-7 with a smc Pentax-FA 28-200 1:3.8-5.6 IF AL attached using Kodak Gold 400, scanned on an Epson V600 Photo flat bed scanner and edited in Affinity.

FILEY BRIGG







WHITBY FOLK WEEK

Thanks for the comments.
Steve, I think the answer is both. Taking out the K3 Mono on it's own forces you to look at subjects you probably would not have converted if you used the standard K3 etc, but also I do think that it is easier to get an "acceptable" final mono image with the mono than with a converted colour shot.
With regard to resolution I really don't know, but then resolution is very subjective anyway and I'm sure that the choice of camera makes far less difference to the resolution of the viewed image than the choice of the screen it's viewed on.
Another thing that I've noticed is how much lower the ISO is for the same aperture and shutter speed than on the "normal" K3. I'm aware of the reason for this, it's just more pronounced than I expected. Having used the K3 mono, it's easy to see why Pentax set the minimum ISO at 200.

A few more shots from the K3 Mono.

Thanks for your comments John.
The first three had virtually no procecessing, other than cropping and conversion from DNG to JPG, but the fourth one was processed in Affinity.
The intention of the trip was to try out my newly acquired Sigma 12-24 and the D-FA 28-105 with the K3 III Monochrome.
I love the Monochrome camera, I've found I'm using the K1 much more and the K3 III a lot less since buying it and taking shots of things I'd never have converted to mono.

Four shots taken at Thornwick Bay, Flamborough, a couple of weeks ago, with my Pentax K3 III Monochrome.
The first 2 with the Pentax D-FA 28-108 and the others with a Sigma EX DG 12-24. The lack of contrast is due to the fact that there was sea fret at the time.

I've had a similar problem a couple of times and found that a good clean of the battery contacts was all that was needed.

Bump

Excellent lens in very good condition. I've had it from new and am selling because I've bought the new Pentax 100mm HD macro.
£160 inc RMSD
Includes Box and both caps
The lens is also listed on Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125847887023 if anyone would prefer to buy using Ebay.