Pentax 06 15-45 zoom arrives- mini review & pics

**barondla** · 11-27-2012, 06:45 PM - **5 Likes**

Lens arrived at the B&M Monday. I was sick and it was raining so this took a little longer to post. Had a chance to shoot it a few hours today.

The lens is close to the size of the 02 5-15 zoom when collapsed and about 1/2" or so longer when extended. Turning the zoom ring locks the optics in place and retires the warning message on the lcd screen. To collapse the lens for storage turn from 45 to 15 and then to the black dot. Easy, fast, and no akward lock to mess with.

The lens construction is similar to the 01 8,5 prime and 02 5-15 zoom. All three lenses use the same 40.5 filter thread, and have leaf shutters built in. It is nice to use a telephoto lens on the Q with autofocus. Very nice.

Shooting

The lens focuses well and is pretty zippy. It doesn't match the speed of the 01. In some ways it is an easier lens to shoot than the 02 5-15 zoom. A constant F2.8 aperture has to help AF, and definetly allows shooting in lower light.

Didn't see any CA when shooting problem situations like trees against sky. Pentax has done a great job banishing the purple fringe. No post processing required.

Zoom has nice detail and contrast thru out the range. Even wide open at F2.8 and 45mm the lens is sharp! This lens can turn out great images wide open.

Lens fights flare well. It has a bayonet fitting for an optional lens hood. I rarely shoot without a proper hood. The round hood is Pentax #PH-RBA 40.5.

At 45mm the lens focuses decently close at approx 3ft. Pentax rates the maximum magnification at 0.05X. I wish this was a little closer. Of course, I wish all of my lenses, including the DFA100 macro focused closer. It usually has a 25mm extension tube mounted to it.

Conclusion

This is an extremely good lens! The optics are first rate, and it is a joy to use. Pentax did a wonderful job designing and building this 14 (3 low dispersion) element lens. Can't imagine many Q owners resisting this lens for the price it sells for.

The lens justifies the whole Q system. No other camera system has managed to make telephoto lenses that fit in a shirt pocket! Not APS-c, M4/3, nor Nikon N1. They all fail to be truly small for telephoto shooters. The Pentax Q 06 does this and goes two better, adding F2.8 and constant aperture. The Q/Q10 body with a F2.8 lens is about the same size as a can of soda, and weighs less! If you can pick up a can of Coke you can shoot this beautiful combo. Well done Pentax. Pentax Q is already the best selling interchangeable lens camera in Japan. It is only going to get worse for those other mirrorless companies now.

thanks
barondla ( going to shoot the 06 some more).

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Last edited by barondla; 11-27-2012 at 07:01 PM.

**baro-nite** · 11-27-2012, 06:56 PM

To develop a constant-aperture fast tele zoom shows a commitment to quality for the Q system -- glad to see that your preliminary tests show the lens lives up to the promise. Also to hear that the size is similar to the 02. [Sigh], there goes another $300!

**jpzk** · 11-27-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by barondla

Lens arrived at the B&M Monday. I was sick and it was raining so this took a little longer to post. Had a chance to shoot it a few hours today.

The lens is close to the size of the 02 5-15 zoom when collapsed and about 1/2" or so longer when extended. Turning the zoom ring locks the optics in place and retires the warning message on the lcd screen. To collapse the lens for storage turn from 45 to 15 and then to the black dot. Easy, fast, and no akward lock to mess with.

The lens construction is similar to the 01 8,5 prime and 02 5-15 zoom. All three lenses use the same 40.5 filter thread, and have leaf shutters built in. It is nice to use a telephoto lens on the Q with autofocus. Very nice.

Shooting

The lens focuses well and is pretty zippy. It doesn't match the speed of the 01. In some ways it is an easier lens to shoot than the 02 5-15 zoom. A constant F2.8 aperture has to help AF, and definetly allows shooting in lower light.

Didn't see any CA when shooting problem situations like trees against sky. Pentax has done a great job banishing the purple fringe. No post processing required.

Zoom has nice detail and contrast thru out the range. Even wide open at F2.8 and 45mm the lens is sharp! This lens can turn out great images wide open.

Lens fights flare well. It has a bayonet fitting for an optional lens hood. I rarely shoot without a proper hood. The round hood is Pentax #PH-RBA 40.5.

At 45mm the lens focuses decently close at approx 3ft. Pentax rates the maximum magnification at 0.05X. I wish this was a little closer. Of course, I wish all of my lenses, including the DFA100 macro focused closer. It usually has a 25mm extension tube mounted to it.

Conclusion

This is an extremely good lens! The optics are first rate, and it is a joy to use. Pentax did a wonderful job designing and building this 14 (3 low dispersion) element lens. Can't imagine many Q owners resisting this lens for the price it sells for.

The lens justifies the whole Q system. No other camera system has managed to make telephoto lenses that fit in a shirt pocket! Not APS-c, M4/3, nor Nikon N1. They all fail to be truly small for telephoto shooters. The Pentax Q 06 does this and goes two better, adding F2.8 and constant aperture. The Q/Q10 body with a F2.8 lens is about the same size as a can of soda, and weighs less! If you can pick up a can of Coke you can shoot this beautiful. combo. Well done Pentax. Pentax Q is already the best selling interchangeable lens camera in Japan. It is only going to get worse for those other mirrorless companies now.

thanks
barondla ( going to shoot the 06 some more).

Huggghhhhh ......

.... this means, you know: LBA-round-two (for me) !

Great post! This lens is like having a full size zoom in one's pocket!

I hope you feel better too.

JP

Docrwm · 11-27-2012, 07:01 PM

GREAT POST. Thanks for taking the time to write it up for all of us. The LBA kitty is empty right now though........

JinDesu · 11-27-2012, 07:01 PM

Sexy sexy... I'm tempted...

**jpzk** · 11-27-2012, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

GREAT POST. Thanks for taking the time to write it up for all of us. The LBA kitty is empty right now though........

Christmas is around though !

JP

Docrwm · 11-27-2012, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

Christmas is around though !

JP

It is, but then I never know what to ask for from Santa.

snostorm · 11-27-2012, 07:32 PM

Hi barondla,

There was never any question that I would buy this lens, but knowing it's a very good one makes that so much better!

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Now all I have to do is wait for my B&M store to get one. . .You're lucky -- your guy seems to have the right connection with Pentax.

Hope you feel better!

Scott

**LaurenOE** · 11-27-2012, 10:09 PM

Ugh. Just what I need. I have no more money. Thank goodness Adorama still doesn't have my Q Adapter in stock yet to ship out. I need to recover after the DA*50-135s I bought on Black Friday. I picked up two, and now I need to recharge a bit. Thanks for the write up!

**jva59** · 11-27-2012, 10:13 PM

Thanks for this! It's on my list.

Thiefsie · 11-27-2012, 11:13 PM

Does this lens (and the 02 for that matter) have the ND build in like the 01?

Thanks for the quick write up - definitely on my wishlist...

kyuuan · 11-27-2012, 11:26 PM

Oh-ho. thanks for your swift review barondla. Get well soon and take more pics with it pls!!

**crewl1** · 11-28-2012, 12:21 AM

Thanks for the review Barondla, the pics look great. Will have to start saving my change again.

**barondla** · 11-28-2012, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

I need to recover after the DA*50-135s I bought on Black Friday. I picked up two

TWO! Wow. Sounds like something I would do.
thanks
barondla

**LaurenOE** · 11-28-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by barondla

TWO! Wow. Sounds like something I would do.
thanks
barondla

Yep. With Pentax you always have to strike when the Iron is hot.
Besides, the husband shoots with a K30 and there is no way I am going to "share".
It never works out that two Pentax users can share lenses on an outing.

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11-27-2012, 06:56 PM	#2
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	To develop a constant-aperture fast tele zoom shows a commitment to quality for the Q system -- glad to see that your preliminary tests show the lens lives up to the promise. Also to hear that the size is similar to the 02. [Sigh], there goes another $300!

11-27-2012, 06:59 PM	#3
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by barondla Lens arrived at the B&M Monday. I was sick and it was raining so this took a little longer to post. Had a chance to shoot it a few hours today. The lens is close to the size of the 02 5-15 zoom when collapsed and about 1/2" or so longer when extended. Turning the zoom ring locks the optics in place and retires the warning message on the lcd screen. To collapse the lens for storage turn from 45 to 15 and then to the black dot. Easy, fast, and no akward lock to mess with. The lens construction is similar to the 01 8,5 prime and 02 5-15 zoom. All three lenses use the same 40.5 filter thread, and have leaf shutters built in. It is nice to use a telephoto lens on the Q with autofocus. Very nice. Shooting The lens focuses well and is pretty zippy. It doesn't match the speed of the 01. In some ways it is an easier lens to shoot than the 02 5-15 zoom. A constant F2.8 aperture has to help AF, and definetly allows shooting in lower light. Didn't see any CA when shooting problem situations like trees against sky. Pentax has done a great job banishing the purple fringe. No post processing required. Zoom has nice detail and contrast thru out the range. Even wide open at F2.8 and 45mm the lens is sharp! This lens can turn out great images wide open. Lens fights flare well. It has a bayonet fitting for an optional lens hood. I rarely shoot without a proper hood. The round hood is Pentax #PH-RBA 40.5. At 45mm the lens focuses decently close at approx 3ft. Pentax rates the maximum magnification at 0.05X. I wish this was a little closer. Of course, I wish all of my lenses, including the DFA100 macro focused closer. It usually has a 25mm extension tube mounted to it. Conclusion This is an extremely good lens! The optics are first rate, and it is a joy to use. Pentax did a wonderful job designing and building this 14 (3 low dispersion) element lens. Can't imagine many Q owners resisting this lens for the price it sells for. The lens justifies the whole Q system. No other camera system has managed to make telephoto lenses that fit in a shirt pocket! Not APS-c, M4/3, nor Nikon N1. They all fail to be truly small for telephoto shooters. The Pentax Q 06 does this and goes two better, adding F2.8 and constant aperture. The Q/Q10 body with a F2.8 lens is about the same size as a can of soda, and weighs less! If you can pick up a can of Coke you can shoot this beautiful. combo. Well done Pentax. Pentax Q is already the best selling interchangeable lens camera in Japan. It is only going to get worse for those other mirrorless companies now. thanks barondla ( going to shoot the 06 some more). Huggghhhhh ...... .... this means, you know: LBA-round-two (for me) ! Great post! This lens is like having a full size zoom in one's pocket! I hope you feel better too. JP

11-27-2012, 07:01 PM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	GREAT POST. Thanks for taking the time to write it up for all of us. The LBA kitty is empty right now though........

11-27-2012, 07:01 PM	#5
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Sexy sexy... I'm tempted...

11-27-2012, 07:05 PM	#6
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Docrwm GREAT POST. Thanks for taking the time to write it up for all of us. The LBA kitty is empty right now though........ Christmas is around though ! JP

11-27-2012, 07:18 PM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by jpzk Christmas is around though ! JP It is, but then I never know what to ask for from Santa.

11-27-2012, 07:32 PM	#8
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Hi barondla, There was never any question that I would buy this lens, but knowing it's a very good one makes that so much better! Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Now all I have to do is wait for my B&M store to get one. . .You're lucky -- your guy seems to have the right connection with Pentax. Hope you feel better! Scott

11-27-2012, 10:09 PM	#9
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Ugh. Just what I need. I have no more money. Thank goodness Adorama still doesn't have my Q Adapter in stock yet to ship out. I need to recover after the DA*50-135s I bought on Black Friday. I picked up two, and now I need to recharge a bit. Thanks for the write up!

11-27-2012, 10:13 PM	#10
jva59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,409	Thanks for this! It's on my list.

11-27-2012, 11:13 PM	#11
Thiefsie New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 6	Does this lens (and the 02 for that matter) have the ND build in like the 01? Thanks for the quick write up - definitely on my wishlist...

11-27-2012, 11:26 PM	#12
kyuuan New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Hanoi Posts: 20	Oh-ho. thanks for your swift review barondla. Get well soon and take more pics with it pls!!

11-28-2012, 12:21 AM	#13
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Thanks for the review Barondla, the pics look great. Will have to start saving my change again.

11-28-2012, 06:00 AM	#14
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,715 Original Poster	Originally posted by LaurenOE I need to recover after the DA*50-135s I bought on Black Friday. I picked up two TWO! Wow. Sounds like something I would do. thanks barondla

11-28-2012, 07:54 AM	#15
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by barondla TWO! Wow. Sounds like something I would do. thanks barondla Yep. With Pentax you always have to strike when the Iron is hot. Besides, the husband shoots with a K30 and there is no way I am going to "share". It never works out that two Pentax users can share lenses on an outing.