This is a test of the Cosmicar/Pentax 8-48mm/f1.0-1.2 on the Q. I have compared the Cosmicar at 48mm with the Pentax 06 at 45mm.
The Cosmicar/Pentax has a solid metal body. It is certainly heavy compared with the 06! Being a c-mount TV lens, the aperture is stepless. But it handles well and focuses easily. It has a six blade aperture mechanism.
But on with the results. I photographed a callistemon flower in the garden. The main pics are cropped and resized at 20 per cent. All shots are jpeg SOOC to keep the playing field as level as possible:
Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f1.2 The image has quite a bit of glow and is predictably soft. However, I don't think is comes off too badly for f1.2 Note approaching bee.
Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f1.4 The image has quite a bit of glow and is still soft.
Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f2 The glow has mostly gone and the image is much sharper.
Now we are getting to the business end. Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f2.8 (left) and Pentax 06 at 45mm f2.8 (right). The 06 appears to have the edge. The Cosmicar has a tendency to blow out the highlights. Maybe this could be put down to the difference in coatings. Bokeh is fine, but six-sided in the Cosmicar pic if one looks closely.
Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f4 (left) and Pentax 06 at 45mm f4 (right). Another bee in the Cosmicar pic.
Cosmicar/Pentax at 48mm f5.6 (left) and Pentax 06 at 45mm f5.6 (right). Both images look good. The Pentax 06 may render a little cooler than the Cosmicar. The highlights are also better controlled with the Pentax 06.
Now the 100 per cent crops. First the Cosmicar, 48mm f5.6
... and the Pentax 06 45mm f5.6
The Cosmicar appears to have a slight edge in sharpness at this level. But it would be hard to beat the Pentax 06 with AF under most field conditions.
I got the Cosmicar/Pentax because I wanted a very fast lens to use under adverse lighting conditions (such as taking photographs in rainforest, where the light is very dim). It is early days yet, but I think the Cosmicar/Pentax is a winner. It only cost $100 posted. The fact that it says Cosmicar/Pentax on the lens is a bonus.
Comments welcome.