Pentax Q a Failure?

Kirill_est · 04-27-2012, 12:55 AM

It's the little things that worry me, the roadmap might exist but there are already signs that Pentax is backtracking. One of the reasons I purchased the Q was to do lengthy (days, not hours) time-lapse videos as there was supposed to be an AC adapter designed specifically for the Q. Searched for it online, also while in London and Hong Kong over this winter, nowhere could I buy one. Has anyone seen/used it in real life? Enough said. I have had to invest in a camcorder now to do what Pentax had led me to believe I could do with the Q and an official accessory. For me this (maybe insignificant to most users) failure to produce what was already announced very early on indicates that Pentax is not really committed to the Q.

eddie1960 · 04-27-2012, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by Kirill_est

It's the little things that worry me, the roadmap might exist but there are already signs that Pentax is backtracking. One of the reasons I purchased the Q was to do lengthy (days, not hours) time-lapse videos as there was supposed to be an AC adapter designed specifically for the Q. Searched for it online, also while in London and Hong Kong over this winter, nowhere could I buy one. Has anyone seen/used it in real life? Enough said. I have had to invest in a camcorder now to do what Pentax had led me to believe I could do with the Q and an official accessory. For me this (maybe insignificant to most users) failure to produce what was already announced very early on indicates that Pentax is not really committed to the Q.

the ac adapters for all models seem to be near vapourware.Very hard to find. Not having a Q I can't see what the connector is but inmany cases you can find one of the multi voltage multi tip that can be used with a product (at least that was my retail experience)
The alternative is to Contact Pentax support about it. Some of the items in the manuals are actually sold as parts not retail items (the diopters for slrs come to mind)

jezza323 · 04-27-2012, 06:12 AM

The Q AC adapter is a bit different eddie, it has a battery shaped adapter that goes into the battery compartment, with a adapter tail hanging out which you connect to a std ac wall unit.. Possible to rig something up, but would require some sort of fabrication rather than just grabbing a compatible wall adapter unfortunately

eddie1960 · 04-27-2012, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by jezza323

The Q AC adapter is a bit different eddie, it has a battery shaped adapter that goes into the battery compartment, with a adapter tail hanging out which you connect to a std ac wall unit.. Possible to rig something up, but would require some sort of fabrication rather than just grabbing a compatible wall adapter unfortunately

like the really dumb old adapters for early video cameras that had an insert that went in the battery compartment. They used todo crap like that so they could sell you an adapter for $300

Kirill_est · 04-27-2012, 06:50 AM

I see plenty of other Pentax AC adapters everywhere, online and in shops, even in my little Estonia. Only the version for the Q is still nowhere to be purchased, although announced early on. Weird.

eddie1960 · 04-27-2012, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by Kirill_est

I see plenty of other Pentax AC adapters everywhere, online and in shops, even in my little Estonia. Only the version for the Q is still nowhere to be purchased, although announced early on. Weird.

try emailing Pentax support locally. If that doesn't get a satisfactory response try emailing the Canadian support - they won't answer you but someone in the US was getting no answer so he tried Canada and the US sent him what he was looking for for free as a customer service gesture i think

pghwarrior23 · 04-27-2012, 10:07 AM

So everyone keeps saying price is the issue. Adorama has it for a great price right now that I think should have been around the price point for the Q all along.

Also really would love to see the Q in Target. There were rumours of Pentax striking a deal with Target I think I saw on here. And I think the Q would be a PERFECT fit for them. Stylish, small, compact, trendy, appealing to trendy moms that want more flexibility than a point and shoot but want something small to put in their purse or take pictures of the kids. Make a really neat display to showcase the size and awesomeness and it would sell like hotcakes I think! Like others have said, I just think that Pentax does a pretty horrible job of marketing itself in the USA. One TV commercial with a busy mom using the Q or getting it on a show like Ellen or Oprah to give away to their audiences and it would be the biggest selling camera on the market! If the moron Kutcher can get people to buy Nikons...come on Pentax!!

jogiba · 04-27-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

One TV commercial with a busy mom using the Q or getting it on a show like Ellen or Oprah to give away to their audiences and it would be the biggest selling camera on the market! If the moron Kutcher can get people to buy Nikons...come on Pentax!!

Apple sells 400,000 iPhones a day and it is the #1 camera on flickr so I don't think busy moms would get the Q if they have an iPhone that shoots good enough stills and 1080p HD video for most users. I am sure Nikon would still sell millions of entry level DSLRs like the new D3200 even without Kutcher.

Christine Tham · 04-27-2012, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Clicker

Christine might get a Pentax Q now

LOL - it does look very pretty :ugh:

I nearly bought the Q when it was first released. The main thing that stopped me was the slow write times and the LCD screen didn't exactly impress me.

Does anyone know if firmware 1.01 has improved write times? If it does, I am willing to give it another try.

Clicker · 04-27-2012, 02:17 PM

Im a slow shooter also think LF Unfortunately i updated the first day i got the camera so i don't know if its faster? Im also a slow shooter think MF/LF speeds

*in the process of doing a video of the buffer...i suck at those too so hold tight* check back here in a bit

Just for you Christine...it's the best my laziness is willing to do...lol

Youtu.be

Christine Tham · 04-28-2012, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by Clicker

Just for you Christine...it's the best my laziness is willing to do...lol

302 Found

Thanks a lot! I would have been too lazy to even do the video!

Still pretty slow then :evil:

I really don't like the screen blanking when it's writing out the buffer (and from memory, the camera is unusable until the screen comes back on?)

My NEX-5N keeps on shooting even when writing out the buffer - it will take a shot as soon as there is enough room to store an image (even when the camera is still flushing out the buffer).

Clicker · 04-28-2012, 03:10 AM

I know it was pretty hard to see but i had set the camera to "Continuous high, H" and had my finger on the shutter button so the screen would remain blank, i'll redo the video properly with just single shot and continuous later today. On single shots it seems instant which i didn't record.

Clicker · 04-28-2012, 07:52 AM

... you're right might be slow for some but i'm still happy with mine ....i can still see you getting the "Pink Package" though

Youtu.be

Kryscendo · 04-28-2012, 08:26 AM

So I just found out that the Q uses the Kodak Klic 7004 battery. You can buy those at Best Buy for $20.

Just throwing this out there, but you might be able to buy a Kodak Klick 7004 AC adapter instead. It is actually the same battery as the Pentax and I believe the Fuji NP50. Funny how they all jump on the same battery band wagon.

ogl · 04-28-2012, 08:37 AM

it VERY small, fast, well built, with fixed lens and RAW. and it can make good photos in RAW....for P&S camera.

04-28-2012, 08:26 AM	#164
Kryscendo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 222	So I just found out that the Q uses the Kodak Klic 7004 battery. You can buy those at Best Buy for $20. Just throwing this out there, but you might be able to buy a Kodak Klick 7004 AC adapter instead. It is actually the same battery as the Pentax and I believe the Fuji NP50. Funny how they all jump on the same battery band wagon. Last edited by Kryscendo; 04-28-2012 at 09:49 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is k-5 a failure?	yusuf	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	272	03-30-2011 10:20 AM
Is this Pentax way of admitting SDM was a failure?	mfdesalas	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	49	12-28-2010 11:34 PM
After 4 Pentax DSLR, a first failure: Kx Died!	BBear	Pentax DSLR Discussion	13	10-16-2010 11:30 AM
Pentax K100D Flash Failure	Frosty	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	07-24-2010 05:15 AM
Hoya founder's grandson calls Pentax acquisition a failure	MrPetkus	Pentax News and Rumors	50	06-10-2010 07:46 AM

04-27-2012, 12:55 AM	#151
Kirill_est Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tallinn Posts: 110	It's the little things that worry me, the roadmap might exist but there are already signs that Pentax is backtracking. One of the reasons I purchased the Q was to do lengthy (days, not hours) time-lapse videos as there was supposed to be an AC adapter designed specifically for the Q. Searched for it online, also while in London and Hong Kong over this winter, nowhere could I buy one. Has anyone seen/used it in real life? Enough said. I have had to invest in a camcorder now to do what Pentax had led me to believe I could do with the Q and an official accessory. For me this (maybe insignificant to most users) failure to produce what was already announced very early on indicates that Pentax is not really committed to the Q.

04-27-2012, 05:52 AM	#152
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Kirill_est It's the little things that worry me, the roadmap might exist but there are already signs that Pentax is backtracking. One of the reasons I purchased the Q was to do lengthy (days, not hours) time-lapse videos as there was supposed to be an AC adapter designed specifically for the Q. Searched for it online, also while in London and Hong Kong over this winter, nowhere could I buy one. Has anyone seen/used it in real life? Enough said. I have had to invest in a camcorder now to do what Pentax had led me to believe I could do with the Q and an official accessory. For me this (maybe insignificant to most users) failure to produce what was already announced very early on indicates that Pentax is not really committed to the Q. the ac adapters for all models seem to be near vapourware.Very hard to find. Not having a Q I can't see what the connector is but inmany cases you can find one of the multi voltage multi tip that can be used with a product (at least that was my retail experience) The alternative is to Contact Pentax support about it. Some of the items in the manuals are actually sold as parts not retail items (the diopters for slrs come to mind)

04-27-2012, 06:12 AM	#153
jezza323 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,421	The Q AC adapter is a bit different eddie, it has a battery shaped adapter that goes into the battery compartment, with a adapter tail hanging out which you connect to a std ac wall unit.. Possible to rig something up, but would require some sort of fabrication rather than just grabbing a compatible wall adapter unfortunately

04-27-2012, 06:22 AM	#154
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by jezza323 The Q AC adapter is a bit different eddie, it has a battery shaped adapter that goes into the battery compartment, with a adapter tail hanging out which you connect to a std ac wall unit.. Possible to rig something up, but would require some sort of fabrication rather than just grabbing a compatible wall adapter unfortunately like the really dumb old adapters for early video cameras that had an insert that went in the battery compartment. They used todo crap like that so they could sell you an adapter for $300

04-27-2012, 06:50 AM	#155
Kirill_est Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tallinn Posts: 110	I see plenty of other Pentax AC adapters everywhere, online and in shops, even in my little Estonia. Only the version for the Q is still nowhere to be purchased, although announced early on. Weird.

04-27-2012, 07:09 AM	#156
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Kirill_est I see plenty of other Pentax AC adapters everywhere, online and in shops, even in my little Estonia. Only the version for the Q is still nowhere to be purchased, although announced early on. Weird. try emailing Pentax support locally. If that doesn't get a satisfactory response try emailing the Canadian support - they won't answer you but someone in the US was getting no answer so he tried Canada and the US sent him what he was looking for for free as a customer service gesture i think

04-27-2012, 10:07 AM	#157
pghwarrior23 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 331	So everyone keeps saying price is the issue. Adorama has it for a great price right now that I think should have been around the price point for the Q all along. Also really would love to see the Q in Target. There were rumours of Pentax striking a deal with Target I think I saw on here. And I think the Q would be a PERFECT fit for them. Stylish, small, compact, trendy, appealing to trendy moms that want more flexibility than a point and shoot but want something small to put in their purse or take pictures of the kids. Make a really neat display to showcase the size and awesomeness and it would sell like hotcakes I think! Like others have said, I just think that Pentax does a pretty horrible job of marketing itself in the USA. One TV commercial with a busy mom using the Q or getting it on a show like Ellen or Oprah to give away to their audiences and it would be the biggest selling camera on the market! If the moron Kutcher can get people to buy Nikons...come on Pentax!!

04-27-2012, 01:42 PM	#158
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Quote: One TV commercial with a busy mom using the Q or getting it on a show like Ellen or Oprah to give away to their audiences and it would be the biggest selling camera on the market! If the moron Kutcher can get people to buy Nikons...come on Pentax!! Apple sells 400,000 iPhones a day and it is the #1 camera on flickr so I don't think busy moms would get the Q if they have an iPhone that shoots good enough stills and 1080p HD video for most users. I am sure Nikon would still sell millions of entry level DSLRs like the new D3200 even without Kutcher.

04-27-2012, 02:05 PM	#159
Christine Tham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,269	Originally posted by Clicker Christine might get a Pentax Q now LOL - it does look very pretty :ugh: I nearly bought the Q when it was first released. The main thing that stopped me was the slow write times and the LCD screen didn't exactly impress me. Does anyone know if firmware 1.01 has improved write times? If it does, I am willing to give it another try.

04-28-2012, 02:28 AM	#161
Christine Tham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,269	Originally posted by Clicker Just for you Christine...it's the best my laziness is willing to do...lol 302 Found Thanks a lot! I would have been too lazy to even do the video! Still pretty slow then :evil: I really don't like the screen blanking when it's writing out the buffer (and from memory, the camera is unusable until the screen comes back on?) My NEX-5N keeps on shooting even when writing out the buffer - it will take a shot as soon as there is enough room to store an image (even when the camera is still flushing out the buffer).

04-28-2012, 03:10 AM	#162
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	I know it was pretty hard to see but i had set the camera to "Continuous high, H" and had my finger on the shutter button so the screen would remain blank, i'll redo the video properly with just single shot and continuous later today. On single shots it seems instant which i didn't record.

04-28-2012, 08:37 AM	#165
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	it VERY small, fast, well built, with fixed lens and RAW. and it can make good photos in RAW....for P&S camera.