Yesterday we looked at the potential of using Pentax 110 System lenses on the latest Pentax Q system digital cameras, and it seemed that good quality was possible. Why would we want to? Well, the Q cameras do encourage experimentation, and there are lots of adapters available at low prices for using 110 lenses, CCTV lenses, C mount cine lenses, K series lenses.......and of course the proper Pentax adapter for K series lenses, which is more sophisticated but costs a fair bit more as well.
In any event, just maybe some of these combinations might offer something interesting in terms of image quality, even if it might only be soft focus portraits for most of them. With the 5x and 5.5x crop factor of the Q cameras, we have already explored very effectively using K series lenses as super-telephotos for wildlife shooting.
Back to the 110 lenses. Downside is the lack of any aperture control, although use of Waterhouse stops might be possible, manual focus only and relatively poor flare resistance. I have heard the comment that chromatic aberrations were intrusive, but did not find them to be unduly so with the lenses I have. Sharpness is good, but not as crisp as the current Q lens range. This is not necessarily a bad thing and could be usefully applied to portraiture.
Of all the lenses, the 18mm was nice to use, the 24mm a bit small and fiddly and the 50mm the longest telephoto for the camera. It would be interesting to try the 70mm at some stage. I have a few more sample images and we can all judge for ourselves whether or not they are up to scratch. My feeling is that for a specific shoot I might well use them, especially the 50mm because of its reach, but not for general use. The Q lenses are so good that using anything less would need a specific application. That includes of course having a bit of fun with them, because photography is indeed meant to be enjoyed!
Q-S1 with 110 50mm lens, shot using the Pentax MX-1
110 50mm Lens
Q 06 15-45mm Zoom at 45mm
110 50mm Lens
110 50mm Lens
110 50mm Lens
110 18mm Lens
110 18mm Lens
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