How tempting. A Pentax 150-450mm lens, a Q adapter and a Pentax Q-S1 camera body. In theory, the same field of view as a 750-2250mm lens on 35mm film format. It had to be done, so I took the appropriate kit down to Astley Green and then started to find the problems. First shot was using the 8.5mm standard prime lens, so we could see what the overall subject was. Then on to the 150-450mm, with the lens mounted on a very sturdy tripod.
Finding the subject was the first problem. Just like an astronomical telescope, a finder scope would have been quite handy. The tripod mount would not move precisely enough to enable easy centering of the subject. The the view waved about as though we were at sea. I used a 12 second delayed release to allow camera vibration to settle down. Focusing was manual, and a complete nightmare. The Q screen is not precise enough to allow the degree of accuracy needed. The image was also very soft and low contrast.
The Q-S1 standard prime lens
150mm and so difficult to focus manually.
450mm and now in the land of guesses and false hopes. The screen image waved hopelessly about, making handling a nightmare.
Another stab at a 150mm shot.
450mm is no better.
I don't often find something that's impossible, but this seemingly good idea is so full of snags as to be unworkable. Still, it was a nice thought and it had to be tried out!
Next time I will be looking at some fully electronic AF extension tubes for the Q system That sounds very interesting and a bit more practical.
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