The "reach" of the Q - images

vonBaloney · 03-26-2016, 08:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

I'm wondering whether using a built-in aperture ring gives sharper pictures than using the "aperture control" on the Pentax adapter does. My reason for asking is that when I did do some backyard testing at 300mm, my Sigma 70-300mm APO lens {using its aperture ring} gave sharper results than my Pentax-DA 55-300mm {using the Pentax adapter control} did, and I wasn't positive whether the lens is actually sharper or whether the means of limiting aperture was the real issue. If I get motivated to test again, the obvious solution is to test the Sigma lens using the adapter to control aperture.

That's just the difference between lenses and/or apertures (i.e. if one lens was set on f/5.6 and the other at f/4). The adapter has no aperture of its own (the blades you see in it is the leaf shutter, not the aperture) -- the ring on the adapter just pushes the aperture lever on the lens for you. So as long as you are hitting the same spot for your target aperture, then it doesn't make sense that one would be sharper than the other because there is absolutely no difference between them -- it is the same aperture blades set to the same setting by a different method. It is just a lot easier to use the click stops on the lens if they are available...

**Mikesul** · 12-11-2016, 12:17 PM - **2 Likes**

This was always one of the most interesting and inspiring Q forum threads. It has been dormant for almost 9 months so I thought I would try to revive it. I confess my Q7 has not been getting much attention lately and I just sold my original Q but I love the little camera so I got it out to play today with the DA*300. The attached photo is not much as art but it does show the detail that Q plus adapter plus DA*300 can achieve even handheld. Please let me see some of your recent extreme telephoto shots with the Q. It won't be hard to top mine of my neighbors pigeon deterrent

**rgknief60** · 12-12-2016, 12:02 AM - **5 Likes**

Taken with Q7, photodiox, & F* 300.

11/15/2016 Supermoon - Pentax Q7, on Flickr

**barondla** · 01-19-2017, 10:30 AM - **1 Like**

Awesome moon shot rgknief60. Shows excellent moon detail.
Thanks for sharing
barondla

---------- Post added 01-19-2017 at 11:38 AM ----------

Amazing detail in a handheld Q/300mm image Mikesul. I've had limited luck using Q/Pentax 55-300 handheld. Never achieved a shot as sharp as yours using the DA*300 hand held. My problem is focusing. I can hold lens steady for a brief instant, but not long enough to manage focusing the big 300. I need more practice! More a monopod/tripod man.

Thanks
barondla

reh321 · 01-19-2017, 11:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by barondla;3886594[COLOR=Silver:

][/COLOR]Amazing detail in a handheld Q/300mm image Mikesul. I've had limited luck using Q/Pentax 55-300 handheld. Never achieved a shot as sharp as yours using the DA*300 hand held. My problem is focusing. I can hold lens steady for a brief instant, but not long enough to manage focusing the big 300. I need more practice! More a monopod/tripod man.

Yes, much beyond 50mm I found that I couldn't hold the camera sufficiently steadily by myself to MF - so I got a MeFoto walking stick / monopod which doesn't meaningfully add to my load but greatly increases my ability to hold on target while focusing.

surfar · 01-19-2017, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by reh321

Yes, much beyond 50mm I found that I couldn't hold the camera sufficiently steadily by myself to MF

Once, I tried handheld with q10 and 500mm mirror lens and 2x TC.....near impossible to get a shot, so I changed to the M 135mm f3.5(and moved closer to the subject).

wildman · 01-21-2017, 06:07 AM - **6 Likes**

Q-S1 at 560mm at a distance of about 30-40 feet...

Last edited by wildman; 01-26-2017 at 04:15 PM.

**rgknief60** · 01-21-2017, 03:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by barondla

Awesome moon shot rgknief60. Shows excellent moon detail.

Thanks! I wanted to use my DA* 300 with the Q to compare, but own a generic adapter
with no aperture control. Atmospheric conditions were not the best for viewing.

Here is the full mooon experiment I tried using using the K-1, DA* 300, and 3 stacked
Pentax Teleconverters, the 2x, F1.7, & HD 1.4. Did not think to try the 2x with the F* 300
and the Q. Wish I had.

Originally posted by barondla

I can hold lens steady for a brief instant

Same here. The "instant" seems to get briefer the older I get!

---------- Post added 01-21-17 at 04:14 PM ----------

Originally posted by wildman

Q-S1 at 560mm at a distance of about 30-40 feet...

Amazing. Nice sharp image with lots of detail. Could you see yourself in it's eye?
I assume that the image is not cropped.

Do you remember at what aperture (mark) the Pentax adapter was set? That's helpful info.

wildman · 01-21-2017, 03:45 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by rgknief60

Do you remember at what aperture (mark) the Pentax adapter was set?

f/7.1 not cropped.

Another one at 560mm not cropped...

**barondla** · 01-21-2017, 07:12 PM

Excellent images, wildman. The feather detail is superb.
Thanks for sharing
barondla

wildman · 01-21-2017, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by barondla

The feather detail is superb.

Thank the glass for that - not me.

**rgknief60** · 01-22-2017, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by barondla

Excellent images, wildman. The feather detail is superb.
Thanks for sharing

I second that!

Originally posted by wildman

Thank the glass for that - not me.

Wow! "Your lens takes great pictures!"

Seriously, you have some great technique and skill behind that shot.

I doubt most folks could take your gear and reproduce that. I know I'd like to try!

wildman · 01-22-2017, 07:53 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by rgknief60

Seriously, you have some great technique and skill behind that shot.

Thanks for those kind words but don't forget all the failed shots you never see.

A low light understory shot...

**Mikesul** · 01-22-2017, 08:32 AM

Can you get this quality handheld? They are really impressive photos.

wildman · 01-22-2017, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

Can you get this quality handheld?

No - or at least I never tried it. My setup is strictly tripod mount. Take a look at my gear and you will see why....

01-21-2017, 03:45 PM - 5 Likes	#1179
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by rgknief60 Do you remember at what aperture (mark) the Pentax adapter was set? f/7.1 not cropped. Another one at 560mm not cropped... Last edited by wildman; 01-26-2017 at 04:15 PM.

01-22-2017, 07:53 AM - 2 Likes	#1183
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by rgknief60 Seriously, you have some great technique and skill behind that shot. Thanks for those kind words but don't forget all the failed shots you never see. A low light understory shot... Last edited by wildman; 01-26-2017 at 04:15 PM.

01-22-2017, 08:49 AM	#1185
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Mikesul Can you get this quality handheld? No - or at least I never tried it. My setup is strictly tripod mount. Take a look at my gear and you will see why.... Last edited by wildman; 01-26-2017 at 04:15 PM.

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03-26-2016, 08:51 AM - 1 Like	#1171
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by reh321 I'm wondering whether using a built-in aperture ring gives sharper pictures than using the "aperture control" on the Pentax adapter does. My reason for asking is that when I did do some backyard testing at 300mm, my Sigma 70-300mm APO lens {using its aperture ring} gave sharper results than my Pentax-DA 55-300mm {using the Pentax adapter control} did, and I wasn't positive whether the lens is actually sharper or whether the means of limiting aperture was the real issue. If I get motivated to test again, the obvious solution is to test the Sigma lens using the adapter to control aperture. That's just the difference between lenses and/or apertures (i.e. if one lens was set on f/5.6 and the other at f/4). The adapter has no aperture of its own (the blades you see in it is the leaf shutter, not the aperture) -- the ring on the adapter just pushes the aperture lever on the lens for you. So as long as you are hitting the same spot for your target aperture, then it doesn't make sense that one would be sharper than the other because there is absolutely no difference between them -- it is the same aperture blades set to the same setting by a different method. It is just a lot easier to use the click stops on the lens if they are available...

12-12-2016, 12:02 AM - 5 Likes	#1173
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 980	Taken with Q7, photodiox, & F* 300. 11/15/2016 Supermoon - Pentax Q7, on Flickr

01-19-2017, 10:30 AM - 1 Like	#1174
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714 Original Poster	Awesome moon shot rgknief60. Shows excellent moon detail. Thanks for sharing barondla ---------- Post added 01-19-2017 at 11:38 AM ---------- Amazing detail in a handheld Q/300mm image Mikesul. I've had limited luck using Q/Pentax 55-300 handheld. Never achieved a shot as sharp as yours using the DA*300 hand held. My problem is focusing. I can hold lens steady for a brief instant, but not long enough to manage focusing the big 300. I need more practice! More a monopod/tripod man. Thanks barondla

01-19-2017, 11:52 AM - 1 Like	#1175
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by barondla;3886594[COLOR=Silver: ][/COLOR]Amazing detail in a handheld Q/300mm image Mikesul. I've had limited luck using Q/Pentax 55-300 handheld. Never achieved a shot as sharp as yours using the DA*300 hand held. My problem is focusing. I can hold lens steady for a brief instant, but not long enough to manage focusing the big 300. I need more practice! More a monopod/tripod man. Yes, much beyond 50mm I found that I couldn't hold the camera sufficiently steadily by myself to MF - so I got a MeFoto walking stick / monopod which doesn't meaningfully add to my load but greatly increases my ability to hold on target while focusing.

01-19-2017, 12:22 PM	#1176
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by reh321 Yes, much beyond 50mm I found that I couldn't hold the camera sufficiently steadily by myself to MF Once, I tried handheld with q10 and 500mm mirror lens and 2x TC.....near impossible to get a shot, so I changed to the M 135mm f3.5(and moved closer to the subject).

01-21-2017, 06:07 AM - 6 Likes	#1177
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Q-S1 at 560mm at a distance of about 30-40 feet... Last edited by wildman; 01-26-2017 at 04:15 PM.

01-21-2017, 03:05 PM - 1 Like	#1178
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 980	Originally posted by barondla Awesome moon shot rgknief60. Shows excellent moon detail. Thanks! I wanted to use my DA* 300 with the Q to compare, but own a generic adapter with no aperture control. Atmospheric conditions were not the best for viewing. Here is the full mooon experiment I tried using using the K-1, DA* 300, and 3 stacked Pentax Teleconverters, the 2x, F1.7, & HD 1.4. Did not think to try the 2x with the F* 300 and the Q. Wish I had. Originally posted by barondla I can hold lens steady for a brief instant Same here. The "instant" seems to get briefer the older I get! ---------- Post added 01-21-17 at 04:14 PM ---------- Originally posted by wildman Q-S1 at 560mm at a distance of about 30-40 feet... Amazing. Nice sharp image with lots of detail. Could you see yourself in it's eye? I assume that the image is not cropped. Do you remember at what aperture (mark) the Pentax adapter was set? That's helpful info.

01-21-2017, 07:12 PM	#1180
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714 Original Poster	Excellent images, wildman. The feather detail is superb. Thanks for sharing barondla

01-21-2017, 09:02 PM	#1181
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by barondla The feather detail is superb. Thank the glass for that - not me.

01-22-2017, 12:20 AM	#1182
rgknief60 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 980	Originally posted by barondla Excellent images, wildman. The feather detail is superb. Thanks for sharing I second that! Originally posted by wildman Thank the glass for that - not me. Wow! "Your lens takes great pictures!" Seriously, you have some great technique and skill behind that shot. I doubt most folks could take your gear and reproduce that. I know I'd like to try!

01-22-2017, 08:32 AM	#1184
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Can you get this quality handheld? They are really impressive photos.