[hnikesch]

Here ya go, it's really pretty simple.

I also shimmed my, thanks for the idea

Hans

[stormtech]

As much as I liked the optical quality of the 06 lens, I was kind of put aside by the build quality of the barrel and this same problem with the focus ring turning when zooming. For $250+ I would have hoped for better myself.

[hnikesch]

As much as I liked the optical quality of the 06 lens, I was kind of put aside by the build quality of the barrel and this same problem with the focus ring turning when zooming. For $250+ I would have hoped for better myself.

Yes after seeing the metal zoom ring and body on my 02 I was disappointed in the materials used on the 06, plastic zoom ring and lens body. At least it has a metal mount. my plastic is already scratched in several places but my older 06 still looks like new. But it sure is nice to be able to put a camera with a 250mm lens on my belt for walking around.

Hans

[stormtech]

But it sure is nice to be able to put a camera with a 250mm lens on my belt for walking around.

Hans

I agree Hans - that attribute alone makes up for it!

[VisualDarkness]

Click on the thumbnails to view. Pixel peep if you have a strong stomach


15mm


20mm


24mm


30mm


44mm

That's brutal and Pentax should be ashamed for letting that lemon through.

[hnikesch]

Anyone have problems with AF on the 06 at 15mm My lens seems to get the red square 75% of the time, if I zoom in I get Green SQ almost 100% of the time. The 02 @ 15mm is fine with the same image and lighting??

Hans

Edit it happens mostly when the subject is at infinity

[Sdyor]

I just did a test and did get the red on 5 of 25 tries focusing on varied objects within a room, but only when I tried to focus on just the plain white wall. Every other try resulted in a green square. This was using auto focus @ 15 mm. And zooming in didn't seem to make a difference. Seems like it can't get focus when it's just a plain white space.

Hope this helps.

[Riv]

I also shimmed my, thanks for the idea

Hans

Been away a bit, haven't logged-in for awhile. But I'm glad it's working for you and all the others that have given it a try

[DDoram]

The 06 is my favorite Q zoom lens and is great throughout the range. Great zoom range in a small package.

Dale

[howieb101]

I have only has the lens for a few days but my thinking is that the optical quality and what such lens allows you to do significantly outweighs issues with build quality.

To be able to:

1. control depth of field (on such a small format sensor),
2. get faster shutter speeds, and
3. at a low weight,

are all worthy and great aspects of the lens. The build quality is on par with the 5-15mm so its not exactly a let down if you already have that lens. It is what it is. Its not that I would mind better build quality mind you.

Howie B

[snostorm]

The 06 is my favorite Q zoom lens and is great throughout the range. Great zoom range in a small package.

Dale

I have only has the lens for a few days but my thinking is that the optical quality and what such lens allows you to do significantly outweighs issues with build quality.

To be able to:

1. control depth of field (on such a small format sensor),
2. get faster shutter speeds, and
3. at a low weight,

are all worthy and great aspects of the lens. The build quality is on par with the 5-15mm so its not exactly a let down if you already have that lens. It is what it is. Its not that I would mind better build quality mind you.

Howie B

I'll add my 2¢ here in support of the 06 lens.

In any other system, a constant f2.8 short to long tele zoom (think ~70 to ~200 EQ) is at least a $700 USD proposition, even from 3rd party lensmakers. From an OEM, under $1200 USD would be unthinkable. I was pleasantly shocked to see Pentax introduce this lens at under $300 USD, and didn't even have to think about pre-ordering it at full price, even though I rarely pre-order anything. This lens retails for the same price as the "kit" zoom and doesn't disappoint from an optical performance standpoint. There had to be some compromise to reach this price point. Let's face a real fact -- Pentaxians tend to be frugal (I'm being kind to use this term), and in my estimation, would not have reacted well to a lens of this optical spec, built like a tank, priced a few hundred dollars higher.

Functionally, this "slop" is limited to the collapsing mechanism that allows compact storage since the lens features both internal zoom and focusing (which are, BTW, more expensive to design and mfg). This should have little or no effect on the long term reliability of the lens. I think that plastic is probably the best choice for Q system lenses that need to be very lightweight. The alternative is very thin aluminum, and thin aluminum would be much more vulnerable to distortion from even slight knocks. Of course they could have used magnesium or titanium to reach their lightweight design goal, but I can't even imagine what that would have done to the price. . .

It's fine to be fussy about build quality, but IMO, the Pentax designers made the right choices with the 06. The "slop" is easily and economically fixable on a DIY basis (the shimming solution provided by Riv is brilliant). I suggest we count our blessings on this one. . .

Scott

[audiobomber]

The 01 prime has rarely been off the camera, but I mounted the 06 zoom for a few test shots. Like all the Q lenses it feels a little flimsy but I am pretty happy with the performance. I did not experience what some are seeing, with the zoom rotating the focus ring.







I posted several full sized samples here: https://picasaweb.google.com/bonhommed/Q06Zoom?authkey=Gv1sRgCNSCoLGa0PfQNg#

[crewl1]

One of the nice things about the 06 is that it fits through the chain link fence at the baseball field where my 10 YO granddaughter is a catcher on her softball team.
15mm f2.8 ISO500 1/1250 cropped a bit


15mm f2.8 ISO400 1/1000 cropped a bit

[pearsaab]

One of the nice things about the 06 is that it fits through the chain link fence at the baseball field where my 10 YO granddaughter is a catcher on her softball team.
15mm f2.8 ISO500 1/1250 cropped a bit


15mm f2.8 ISO400 1/1000 cropped a bit

love the tongue..great shots!!!

[crewl1]

love the tongue..great shots!!!

Thanks!