To Q or Not to Q - persuade me

zelda_n64 · 06-06-2013, 08:48 AM

Hi all,

Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body.

I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while.

On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637

After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site.

The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain.

As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results.

I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera.

Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me?

Adam · 06-06-2013, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by zelda_n64

Hi all,

Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body.

I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while.

On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637

After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site.

The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain.

As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results.

I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera.

Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me?

If you're looking to do portraiture, I'd go with a DSLR and a proper portrait lens. You'll get better dynamic range, better handling (af + more stability) and nicer bokeh.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-06-2013, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by zelda_n64

Hi all,

Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body.

I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while.

On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637

After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site.

The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain.

As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results.

I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera.

Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me?

Go for the genuine if you want flash, otherwise hard to say, although there is an interesting jello thread to show distortion with the electronic shutter

hnikesch · 06-06-2013, 03:09 PM

If you plan to use a tripod and no flash with adapted lenses the 3rd party adapters are fine. Hand held shots will tend to distort backgrounds (Jello) when using 3rd party adapters from camera movement even at fast shutter speeds because of sensor scan time.

Hans

zelda_n64 · 06-07-2013, 08:26 AM

Thank you for the replies, I will wait for a while and save for the official K-Q adapter.

I don't want to be disappointed as I would prefer to use handheld where possible, with a select few of my K/M42 lenses.

zelda_n64 · 06-27-2013, 01:36 PM

After a lot of deliberation, I purchased a Pentax Q body.

Today my M42 to Q adapter turned up, and a little earlier I took a couple of photos through the window as it was raining and overcast and breezy.

ISO 400, 1/40 sec, cannot remember Fstop, 200mm Pentacon lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/41368-zelda_n64/albums/7002-first...ture61686.html

ISO 125, 1/40 sec, cannot remember Fstop, 135mm Takumar lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/41368-zelda_n64/albums/7002-first...ture61685.html

I should have paid attention to the Fstop, but through excitement, all I can remember is that they were either wide open of F5.6. As this was only a test in bad conditions, I cannot wait now for a dry day. I will also practice focusing

normhead · 06-27-2013, 01:58 PM

II'm not absolutely certain, but I believe the Pentax Rep told me the adapter has a built in leaf shutter. It seemed to be a selling point.

zelda_n64 · 06-27-2013, 02:12 PM

normhead, I do believe the official K to Q adapter has a leaf shutter, but at present the price is a little out of my reach, although as I have some fine K mount lenses for my K-x, I hopefully will save and get one.

The 3rd party M42 adapter, £15.90 delivered from ebay, which turned up today, does not include such a device so both the images in the links above were shot in manual mode. For some reason, I only use manual mode on my K-x, as I find it easier to understand.

06-06-2013, 08:48 AM	#1
zelda_n64 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: England Photos: Albums Posts: 41	To Q or Not to Q - persuade me Hi all, Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body. I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while. On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637 After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site. The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain. As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results. I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera. Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me?

06-06-2013, 11:08 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by zelda_n64 Hi all, Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body. I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while. On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637 After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site. The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain. As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results. I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera. Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me? If you're looking to do portraiture, I'd go with a DSLR and a proper portrait lens. You'll get better dynamic range, better handling (af + more stability) and nicer bokeh. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-27-2013, 01:36 PM	#6
zelda_n64 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: England Photos: Albums Posts: 41 Original Poster	So I Q'd After a lot of deliberation, I purchased a Pentax Q body. Today my M42 to Q adapter turned up, and a little earlier I took a couple of photos through the window as it was raining and overcast and breezy. ISO 400, 1/40 sec, cannot remember Fstop, 200mm Pentacon lens. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/41368-zelda_n64/albums/7002-first...ture61686.html ISO 125, 1/40 sec, cannot remember Fstop, 135mm Takumar lens. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/41368-zelda_n64/albums/7002-first...ture61685.html I should have paid attention to the Fstop, but through excitement, all I can remember is that they were either wide open of F5.6. As this was only a test in bad conditions, I cannot wait now for a dry day. I will also practice focusing

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06-06-2013, 02:23 PM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by zelda_n64 Hi all, Having been a Pentax fan for many years, and already owning a Pentax Me Super and K-x (DSLR), I am seriously considering purchasing a Pentax Q (body only) so I can make use of some of my lenses on this small body. I do have some reservations, the main one being the electronic shutter when using legacy lenses as I would not be able to afford the official Pentax K-Q adapter for quit a while. On the regular forum, I did post some pictures of the Welmy 28mm lens, which when attached to the Q will give an equivalent focal length of around 154mm, which using wide open may result in excellent soft portraits: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/178685-welmy-2...ml#post2392637 After spending the last couple of days looking at sample images, some of which are just WOW when using legacy lenses, have these been taken with the official K-Q adapter or one of the cheap 3rd party ones from that auction site. The moon shots are also of interest, but again a cheap adapter, electronic shutter - is it money down the drain. As a lot of you have experience with this body and legacy lenses, please give your honest thoughts as I don't want to throw my money away with bad rolling shutter artifacts, no infinity and really bad results. I would also look at the M42 - Q adapter, as my Asahi Pentax Bellows II may really like this camera. Thank you for your input and thoughts - which way will you persuade me? Go for the genuine if you want flash, otherwise hard to say, although there is an interesting jello thread to show distortion with the electronic shutter

06-06-2013, 03:09 PM	#4
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	If you plan to use a tripod and no flash with adapted lenses the 3rd party adapters are fine. Hand held shots will tend to distort backgrounds (Jello) when using 3rd party adapters from camera movement even at fast shutter speeds because of sensor scan time. Hans

06-07-2013, 08:26 AM	#5
zelda_n64 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: England Photos: Albums Posts: 41 Original Poster	Thank you for the replies, I will wait for a while and save for the official K-Q adapter. I don't want to be disappointed as I would prefer to use handheld where possible, with a select few of my K/M42 lenses.

06-27-2013, 01:58 PM	#7
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	II'm not absolutely certain, but I believe the Pentax Rep told me the adapter has a built in leaf shutter. It seemed to be a selling point.

06-27-2013, 02:12 PM	#8
zelda_n64 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: England Photos: Albums Posts: 41 Original Poster	normhead, I do believe the official K to Q adapter has a leaf shutter, but at present the price is a little out of my reach, although as I have some fine K mount lenses for my K-x, I hopefully will save and get one. The 3rd party M42 adapter, £15.90 delivered from ebay, which turned up today, does not include such a device so both the images in the links above were shot in manual mode. For some reason, I only use manual mode on my K-x, as I find it easier to understand.