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08-18-2012, 08:31 AM - 1 Like   #61
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Pentax Q with Sigma 300 2.8, 1.4x teleconverter, K to Q adaptor, Velbon SPT-1 and 3x LCD viewfinder......



08-18-2012, 12:15 PM   #62
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Wow...impressive set up. Good that you have a white Q otherwise it might be hard to spot.
08-18-2012, 08:01 PM   #63
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QuoteOriginally posted by jacpat1234 Quote
Pentax Q with Sigma 300 2.8, 1.4x teleconverter, K to Q adaptor, Velbon SPT-1 and 3x LCD viewfinder......
Thats quite a setup indeed!
08-26-2012, 02:06 AM   #64
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pentax Q with Sigma 300 2.8, Pk to Q adaptor, sigma 2x teleconvertor......

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08-26-2012, 06:48 PM   #65
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Wow nice setup. The view of the very distant apartments shows what the Q is capable of. Welcome to the forum.
thanks
barondla

How is your lcd hood attached? Is this the magnetic one or something else?
08-26-2012, 09:17 PM   #66
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QuoteOriginally posted by barondla Quote
Wow nice setup. The view of the very distant apartments shows what the Q is capable of. Welcome to the forum.
thanks
barondla

How is your lcd hood attached? Is this the magnetic one or something else?
Thanks Barondia, re the LCD hood, I had bought the GGS Perfect model, however, I found it a bit challenging/ugly to attach into the Pentax Q (LCD hood is a bit larger than the Q exterior), thus I simply handheld it when I need it.....not perfect....
08-29-2012, 02:47 PM   #67
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Hi Barondla:

Where did you purchase the Pentax red dot finder?

Thanks.

Dale

08-29-2012, 07:28 PM   #68
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Ddoram, bought it in a small, local B&M store in Midwest USA. Any Pentax dealer can stock it, but it is listed in the sporting division price list not the photography one. Get this water sealed tube model instead of their other screen model.

The red dot fits Weaver rifle ( gun) scope mounts. You must either buy a Weaver to hotshoe adapter or build your own. Red dot does not fit directly on hotshoe without an adapter. Petax does not yet sell an adapter.

Besides helping aim the Q it can be used with a dslr and af tele to photograph birds in flight. You don't even use the camera viewfinder. Would never be without the red dot. Thanks to Snostorm for the tip.
thanks
barondla

Take your Q to the next level and join the fun.
09-26-2012, 09:27 AM   #69
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As far as attaching red dot sight to the hot shoe, I see the xtenda sight Photosolve Home > Products > Xtend-a-Sight at 27.00

but also found another one at Gadget Brando that includes the sight Cool Gadgets, Tools & Lifestyle | Brando Workshop at $39



Any opinions?

I'd like to go the Pentax RD10 route for a full Pentax (well when the adapter is released, for now it is Fotodiox) setup, but that option is about $100 for the combo, vs $40 for the Brando kit.

Not being familiar with the sights, what are the advantages/disadvantages of a tube style of the Pentax RD10 vs the open style of sight that comes in the Brando kit?

Thanks for any input.
09-26-2012, 09:29 PM - 1 Like   #70
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A friend brought his Q setup by work. Only had about 10 minutes to play with it. He had a Gadget Brando type screen red dot. Probably was the GB since it all came together when he bought it. Here are my thoughts on the red dots.

Gadget Brando

Pros:

1. Small size
2. Inexpensive

Cons:

1. Seemed very fragile.
2. Not weatherproof.
3. Slow to calibrate to camera/lens. Takes a supplied tool ( If I remember
right- Allen wrench).
4. Difficult to acquire target.


Tasco BKRD30 (tube type)

Pros:

1. Less money than Pentax ( more than GB).
2. Sturdy construction.
3. Very quick to calibrate to camera.
4. Quick to acquire target.
5. Small for a tube type red dot.
Cons:

1. Screwdriver required to calibrate LED to camera.
2. Brightness level adjustment must be viewed from side of tube- not from
camera position. So I tend to forget to turn red dot off when finished and
the CR2032 battery would be dead next time.
3. Weaver rails on bottom of scope are 1 piece on 1 side and 2 piece on
other side. This makes it harder to mount to hotshoe adapter ( at least for
me).
4. Seperate, loose lens caps are slower to deal with and more prone to loss.


Pentax RD10

Pros:

1. LED power setting from camera position.
2. Weatherproof.
3. Lens caps are tied together by stretchy strings. They are also clear and the reddot can be used with them in place. I always use it this way.
4. No tools to calibrate left to right and up-down. Real knobs!!!
5. Very quick to calibrate to camera.
6. Very quick to acquire target.
7. It says Pentax! Lol.

Cons:

1. Most expensive. Not that bad. About $20 more than Tasco.
2. Biggest. It is a good 3/4" longer than Tasco. Same diameter.

In use:

HATED the screen type red dot. Friend wanted me to help align it. Spent 5
minutes trying to align red dot to camera. Never got it right. The tube
models I can line up in 30 seconds or less- easily. Even sighting with the
screen seemed harder. With the tubes you can tell if you are off axis
by looking down the length of the tube. I would need a lot more practice to
to use the screen.

Both tube red dots acquire subject quickly. Usually 10 seconds or less.
Would never be without one when using 200-300mm lenses. Have 3
friends with Pentax RD10. None have asked for help to calibrate it.

Pentax does every thing as well or better than the other two ( except size and price). I leave the Tasco in the second camera bag as a spare. Haven't used it since getting the Pentax!

The Xtend-a-sight is well made. Think it is all metal. They mention that these
newer models have a hotshoe foot that is over sized. You grind/sand the foot to match your hotshoe. This is because all companies shoes are different size. Except the three I tried still flop around in the hotshoe without grinding. They are close enough it doesn't matter for photography, but no gun owner would tolerate this!
May modify mine one day to fit tighter. The actual foot is thinner than a flash foot so another piece of metal could be fastened to it with slightly wider dimensions. Not really critical.

Hope this helps
thanks
barondla
09-26-2012, 09:58 PM   #71
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Thanks for taking the time to note all the info.
Looks like the Pentax and Xtend-a-sight will be my choice.
In the pictures of the Xtend-a they show a screw down tightener, does that not help with the fit?
09-26-2012, 10:44 PM   #72
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The screw down foot locks the adapter to the hotshoe very well. Problem is this does not align the scope to the lens consistantly. Every time you remove and remount it wiggles into a slightly different location. If the foot was oversize this could be fixed, as stated, by grinding or sanding for a tighter fit. It is a picky thing I admit. A couple of degrees off dead center doesn't really hurt for photography. It just bugs me that
Pentax got their part ( Weaver mount ) totally right with absolute tightness and the Xtend-A Sight compromises it.

You will love the Pentax red dot! Remember it can also be used on the K5 in af for birds in flight.
thanks
barondla

I still carry an extra CR2032 ( think thats the # ) battery- just in case. It all fits in a Minolta PnS case.
09-26-2012, 11:07 PM   #73
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Thanks again for the clarification - and for your inspiration and willingness to share
09-27-2012, 09:29 AM   #74
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Any experience or comments about the Pentax HS-20?
09-27-2012, 09:18 PM   #75
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Haven't used or seen the HS-20. Since it is the screen type don't think I would care for it. Found the other screen difficult to use.
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barondla
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