I got introduced to Pentax 110 when I first forayed into film cameras and small cameras, it was Pentax’s smallest SLR camera, and the smallest interchangeable lens SLR with TTL metering ever made. The small format meant that the camera has lots of DOF. The camera used to marvel me, and many Pentax fans out there.
At that time, I really wished that Pentax will come up with a similar camera in digital format. They did with several compacts like the i-10 .. but I was looking for an interchangeable lens system, just like the Pentax 110.
They did with Pentax Q back in Jun 2011 although not with the fantastic primes they made for the 110.
At that time, the comparatively higher launch price coupled with the camera’s 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, deterred me from getting one. I just wished it was a 1/1.7” or a 1” sensor, and if it’s priced closer to some of the premium compacts, I would have grab it.
Many at that time, felt Pentax missed the point of having such a camera in the face of competing m43s systems and the 1” compacts or its interchangeable lens system offering. I always thought it’ll potentially be an immensely portable camera system. My street or landscapes or candid holiday shots often requires plenty of DOF, so having known the capabilities of a 1/1.7” sensors from my previous compacts the Panasonic LX3 and the GRD4, I know I would buy one if Pentax comes up with 1 with a slightly bigger sensor … to the demise of my wallet, they did with Q7!
With the Q7, the 01 Standard lens becomes a 39mm with light gathering capabilities at 1.9. Perfect street focal length (imho).
With the Q7, the 02 Standard zoom becomes an (23mm - 69mm) almost the usual 24 - 70 lens.
With the Q7, the 06 Telephoto zoom becomes an (69mm - 207mm) almost the usual 70 - 200mm lens. And yes, a constant f2.8 at only approx. 90g!
Without hesitation, I bought into the Q7 system at its launch.
But something’s a missed. It’s the wider perspective. It would have been a great addition to the Q system. Deep down, I know Pentax will come up with 1. But what I didn’t guess was how fast they come up with 1 …
Introducing the Pentax-08 wide zoom! :lovegrin:
Focal Length 3.8mm - 5.9mm (17.5mm - 27.0mm)
Aperture - f3.7 - f4
Angle of View - 102° - 77°
Lens Construction - 10 elements in 8 groups
Minimum Shooting Distance - 0.25m (Entire zoom range)
Maximum Shooting Distance - Approx. 0.03x
Filter Diameter - 49mm
Maximum Diameter & Length - 54.0mm x 38.0mm
Weight - Approx. 75g
Hood - PHRBF49 (Sold Separately)
For more information of the lens’ construction, you may want to refer to the official Pentax site - http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/q7/lenses/index.html
And special thanks to our local distributor - APDS, I was given an opportunity to review this incredibly small wide zoom lens.
I am wondering how to do a lens review for a fun camera system…let’s do it this way - no MTF charts, no brick wall images to show you distortion or decentering of lens element, no white walls to show you how much vignetting .. just real world images of what the lens can do for you.
36 exposures …
At that time, I really wished that Pentax will come up with a similar camera in digital format. They did with several compacts like the i-10 .. but I was looking for an interchangeable lens system, just like the Pentax 110.
They did with Pentax Q back in Jun 2011 although not with the fantastic primes they made for the 110.
At that time, the comparatively higher launch price coupled with the camera’s 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, deterred me from getting one. I just wished it was a 1/1.7” or a 1” sensor, and if it’s priced closer to some of the premium compacts, I would have grab it.
Many at that time, felt Pentax missed the point of having such a camera in the face of competing m43s systems and the 1” compacts or its interchangeable lens system offering. I always thought it’ll potentially be an immensely portable camera system. My street or landscapes or candid holiday shots often requires plenty of DOF, so having known the capabilities of a 1/1.7” sensors from my previous compacts the Panasonic LX3 and the GRD4, I know I would buy one if Pentax comes up with 1 with a slightly bigger sensor … to the demise of my wallet, they did with Q7!
With the Q7, the 01 Standard lens becomes a 39mm with light gathering capabilities at 1.9. Perfect street focal length (imho).
With the Q7, the 02 Standard zoom becomes an (23mm - 69mm) almost the usual 24 - 70 lens.
With the Q7, the 06 Telephoto zoom becomes an (69mm - 207mm) almost the usual 70 - 200mm lens. And yes, a constant f2.8 at only approx. 90g!
Without hesitation, I bought into the Q7 system at its launch.
But something’s a missed. It’s the wider perspective. It would have been a great addition to the Q system. Deep down, I know Pentax will come up with 1. But what I didn’t guess was how fast they come up with 1 …
Introducing the Pentax-08 wide zoom! :lovegrin:
Focal Length 3.8mm - 5.9mm (17.5mm - 27.0mm)
Aperture - f3.7 - f4
Angle of View - 102° - 77°
Lens Construction - 10 elements in 8 groups
Minimum Shooting Distance - 0.25m (Entire zoom range)
Maximum Shooting Distance - Approx. 0.03x
Filter Diameter - 49mm
Maximum Diameter & Length - 54.0mm x 38.0mm
Weight - Approx. 75g
Hood - PHRBF49 (Sold Separately)
For more information of the lens’ construction, you may want to refer to the official Pentax site - http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/q7/lenses/index.html
And special thanks to our local distributor - APDS, I was given an opportunity to review this incredibly small wide zoom lens.
I am wondering how to do a lens review for a fun camera system…let’s do it this way - no MTF charts, no brick wall images to show you distortion or decentering of lens element, no white walls to show you how much vignetting .. just real world images of what the lens can do for you.
36 exposures …
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