Does the 02 zoom make the 04 Wide superfluous?

NeilGratton · 12-03-2014, 07:33 AM

I actually just (thirty minutes ago) ordered an ex-demo 04 Wide via eBay, before seeing this thread.

My current lenses are the 02 Zoom, 03 Fisheye (which has produced most of my favourite Q shots) and a 25mm f/1.4 C mount. I'd still like the 01 Prime, but haven't seen one yet at a price I can justify.

I don't find my Q7 quite fits in a jacket pocket neatly with the 02 Zoom fitted or the 25mm fitted, and the 03 fisheye is a too specialised for many situations, so I'm planning on trying the 04 Wide as a walkaround lens, particularly for street photography and just to carry with me more of the time. I'll likely pre-focus it, stick it around ISO 800 and use the Monochrome Bold filter as starting points. I'm not expecting amazing image quality (I have a couple of Canon DSLRs for that), but to have fun and maybe get some good stuff for instagram.

It also looks like the 04 Wide is half-decent at macro, which will be a nice option to have.

Dangermouse · 12-03-2014, 04:03 PM

The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar.

I've been playing with the mount shield lens today and its sweet spot is sharp, it's just fixed focus to between 2m and 30cm and turns smoothly soft around the edges. Could be a very flattering portrait lens for head-and-shoulders shots if your subject will keep still for long enough.

narual · 12-03-2014, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar.

I've been playing with the mount shield lens today and its sweet spot is sharp, it's just fixed focus to between 2m and 30cm and turns smoothly soft around the edges. Could be a very flattering portrait lens for head-and-shoulders shots if your subject will keep still for long enough.

Did you post any photos with it? I'd be interested to see.

Dangermouse · 12-04-2014, 06:36 AM

Yep - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/281104-some-images-07-mount-shield-lens.html

**Almac** · 12-04-2014, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

Yep - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/281104-some-images-07-mount-shield-lens.html

I like the fun element of the 07, but still seems a bit pricey to me for essesnially a bit of plastic with a hole in it.

drougge · 12-04-2014, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar.

I think the 04 would actually hold up fine for A4 printing. I haven't used mine much, but lets see, this one is decently sharp (click for flickr page and bigger):

**barondla** · 12-04-2014, 08:37 PM

The 04 makes a good wide lens, but an impressive macro lens. It allows shots that can't be accomplished with a K camera and my 100 & 200 macro lenses. Get very close to a subject with lots of out of focus background. There is a ton of dof up close giving a sweeping, cinematic look to macro. Someone pointed this out all most too late last season. I will use it more next season. I have one of those fisheye focus locks on this lens also.

thanks
barondla

The mount shield lens is not a pinhole lens. It is much brighter.

Dangermouse · 12-05-2014, 09:34 AM - **1 Like**

Yep, the 07 lens is a bit more advanced than it looks. It reports the aperture to the body (fixed at f9, but it does include it in EXIF data) and there is at least one element in there.

I think Pentax pitched it about right price-wise. It's at the upper end of what I'd be prepared to pay for it, but if you can think of a use for its qualities then you're not wasting your money. You'd spend more than that on filling most cars up or a meal for two in some restaurants, to put it into perspective.

mangtas · 12-09-2014, 08:30 AM

Hello newbie n photography here..

just bought a second hand Q10 at a reasonable price and w/only a 04 lens attached to it so i guess im stuck w/using d 04 is it ok for standard use? Been testing it, only real complaint is Manual Focusing .... I plan on saving for a 01...

Dangermouse · 12-09-2014, 08:56 AM

Yep, it's pretty much intended as a walkabout lens. It won't have the low light capabilities of the 01 as the aperture is fixed, but in good light it'll be fine.

You'll probably find it cheaper and easier to get hold of the 02 rather than the 01, the prime seems to be very hard to come by new other than in Japan while the zoom is plentiful.

NeilGratton · 12-09-2014, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by Dangermouse

You'll probably find it cheaper and easier to get hold of the 02 rather than the 01, the prime seems to be very hard to come by new other than in Japan while the zoom is plentiful.

You can buy it direct from Pentax/Ricoh. UK Link: 01 Standard Prime 8.5mm F1.9 AL [IF]

sapporodan · 12-09-2014, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by NeilGratton

You can buy it direct from Pentax/Ricoh. UK Link: 01 Standard Prime 8.5mm F1.9 AL [IF]

Or CEX is selling a couple of Q's with the 01 for £125, you can buy them then sell the body's straight back for £60

reh321 · 12-09-2014, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by sapporodan

Or CEX is selling a couple of Q's with the 01 for £125, you can buy them then sell the body's straight back for £60

For some reason Pentax has made a marketing decision not to package the 01 with the newer members of the Q family. I still think that a Q7+01 would be attractive, (that would certainly be my first choice), but they get to decide what to sell and we get to decide how to react.

Dangermouse · 12-10-2014, 09:01 AM

I can only assume that they've decided their target market wants the zoom, and that sales of kits including the prime weren't as high.

I strongly suspect that a lot of Q owners probably never swap lenses. If you look at it they've released as many new bodies as new lenses since the initial line-up, which might suggest that they're after the "rich fashion victim" market they targetted with the K-01 at launch. They could have put the R&D into an AF version of the 04 lens with adjustible aperture (which would go down a storm with most people here, I think?), but instead chose to make the Q-S1.

I don't actually need the 01 as my Mum bought the Q/01/02 kit a couple of years ago and never uses the prime, so I've snaffled it on long-term loan!

**dms** · 12-14-2014, 08:02 PM

In order to carry the Q in a sports jacket pocket--the 02 is too large. Either the 01 or the 04 (wide) allow it. I use the 04 taped to yield infinity to about 4 feet to be in focus. Or the 01 and set the focus w/ the green button. I think my preference is the 04 wide (but I really like equivalent 35mm FL)--unless you are shooting at night/in doors--where the speed of the 01 wins.

Incidentally both my 04 lenses seemed best (if you want 4 feet to infinity in focus) if the focus is set at the 2nd left most mark (and it changes a lot with a small movement).

Oh--nothing about the 04 images suggest a "toy lens."

12-14-2014, 08:02 PM	#30
dms Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New York, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,192	In order to carry the Q in a sports jacket pocket--the 02 is too large. Either the 01 or the 04 (wide) allow it. I use the 04 taped to yield infinity to about 4 feet to be in focus. Or the 01 and set the focus w/ the green button. I think my preference is the 04 wide (but I really like equivalent 35mm FL)--unless you are shooting at night/in doors--where the speed of the 01 wins. Incidentally both my 04 lenses seemed best (if you want 4 feet to infinity in focus) if the focus is set at the 2nd left most mark (and it changes a lot with a small movement). Oh--nothing about the 04 images suggest a "toy lens." Last edited by dms; 12-14-2014 at 08:14 PM.

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12-03-2014, 07:33 AM	#16
NeilGratton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Exeter, Devon Posts: 137	I actually just (thirty minutes ago) ordered an ex-demo 04 Wide via eBay, before seeing this thread. My current lenses are the 02 Zoom, 03 Fisheye (which has produced most of my favourite Q shots) and a 25mm f/1.4 C mount. I'd still like the 01 Prime, but haven't seen one yet at a price I can justify. I don't find my Q7 quite fits in a jacket pocket neatly with the 02 Zoom fitted or the 25mm fitted, and the 03 fisheye is a too specialised for many situations, so I'm planning on trying the 04 Wide as a walkaround lens, particularly for street photography and just to carry with me more of the time. I'll likely pre-focus it, stick it around ISO 800 and use the Monochrome Bold filter as starting points. I'm not expecting amazing image quality (I have a couple of Canon DSLRs for that), but to have fun and maybe get some good stuff for instagram. It also looks like the 04 Wide is half-decent at macro, which will be a nice option to have.

12-03-2014, 04:03 PM	#17
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283 Original Poster	The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar. I've been playing with the mount shield lens today and its sweet spot is sharp, it's just fixed focus to between 2m and 30cm and turns smoothly soft around the edges. Could be a very flattering portrait lens for head-and-shoulders shots if your subject will keep still for long enough.

12-03-2014, 10:09 PM	#18
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by Dangermouse The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar. I've been playing with the mount shield lens today and its sweet spot is sharp, it's just fixed focus to between 2m and 30cm and turns smoothly soft around the edges. Could be a very flattering portrait lens for head-and-shoulders shots if your subject will keep still for long enough. Did you post any photos with it? I'd be interested to see.

12-04-2014, 06:36 AM	#19
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283 Original Poster	Yep - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/281104-some-images-07-mount-shield-lens.html

12-04-2014, 08:07 AM	#20
Almac Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51	Originally posted by Dangermouse Yep - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/136-pentax-q/281104-some-images-07-mount-shield-lens.html I like the fun element of the 07, but still seems a bit pricey to me for essesnially a bit of plastic with a hole in it.

12-04-2014, 04:10 PM	#21
drougge Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Malmö Photos: Gallery Posts: 787	Originally posted by Dangermouse The image quality is likely to be pretty decent, at least unless you try printing it on A4 or similar. I think the 04 would actually hold up fine for A4 printing. I haven't used mine much, but lets see, this one is decently sharp (click for flickr page and bigger):

12-04-2014, 08:37 PM	#22
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	The 04 makes a good wide lens, but an impressive macro lens. It allows shots that can't be accomplished with a K camera and my 100 & 200 macro lenses. Get very close to a subject with lots of out of focus background. There is a ton of dof up close giving a sweeping, cinematic look to macro. Someone pointed this out all most too late last season. I will use it more next season. I have one of those fisheye focus locks on this lens also. thanks barondla The mount shield lens is not a pinhole lens. It is much brighter.

12-05-2014, 09:34 AM - 1 Like	#23
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283 Original Poster	Yep, the 07 lens is a bit more advanced than it looks. It reports the aperture to the body (fixed at f9, but it does include it in EXIF data) and there is at least one element in there. I think Pentax pitched it about right price-wise. It's at the upper end of what I'd be prepared to pay for it, but if you can think of a use for its qualities then you're not wasting your money. You'd spend more than that on filling most cars up or a meal for two in some restaurants, to put it into perspective.

12-09-2014, 08:30 AM	#24
mangtas New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2	Hello newbie n photography here.. just bought a second hand Q10 at a reasonable price and w/only a 04 lens attached to it so i guess im stuck w/using d 04 is it ok for standard use? Been testing it, only real complaint is Manual Focusing .... I plan on saving for a 01...

12-09-2014, 08:56 AM	#25
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283 Original Poster	Yep, it's pretty much intended as a walkabout lens. It won't have the low light capabilities of the 01 as the aperture is fixed, but in good light it'll be fine. You'll probably find it cheaper and easier to get hold of the 02 rather than the 01, the prime seems to be very hard to come by new other than in Japan while the zoom is plentiful.

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12-09-2014, 09:13 AM	#26
NeilGratton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Exeter, Devon Posts: 137	Originally posted by Dangermouse You'll probably find it cheaper and easier to get hold of the 02 rather than the 01, the prime seems to be very hard to come by new other than in Japan while the zoom is plentiful. You can buy it direct from Pentax/Ricoh. UK Link: 01 Standard Prime 8.5mm F1.9 AL [IF]

12-09-2014, 09:34 AM	#27
sapporodan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 123	Originally posted by NeilGratton You can buy it direct from Pentax/Ricoh. UK Link: 01 Standard Prime 8.5mm F1.9 AL [IF] Or CEX is selling a couple of Q's with the 01 for £125, you can buy them then sell the body's straight back for £60

12-09-2014, 10:51 AM	#28
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by sapporodan Or CEX is selling a couple of Q's with the 01 for £125, you can buy them then sell the body's straight back for £60 For some reason Pentax has made a marketing decision not to package the 01 with the newer members of the Q family. I still think that a Q7+01 would be attractive, (that would certainly be my first choice), but they get to decide what to sell and we get to decide how to react.

12-10-2014, 09:01 AM	#29
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283 Original Poster	I can only assume that they've decided their target market wants the zoom, and that sales of kits including the prime weren't as high. I strongly suspect that a lot of Q owners probably never swap lenses. If you look at it they've released as many new bodies as new lenses since the initial line-up, which might suggest that they're after the "rich fashion victim" market they targetted with the K-01 at launch. They could have put the R&D into an AF version of the 04 lens with adjustible aperture (which would go down a storm with most people here, I think?), but instead chose to make the Q-S1. I don't actually need the 01 as my Mum bought the Q/01/02 kit a couple of years ago and never uses the prime, so I've snaffled it on long-term loan!