The Q is very capable but personally I wouldn't swap a Kr for a Q.

Here's some macro shots with the Q and M50mmf1.7 Difficult conditions, very breezy, bright sunlight but I found the combination pretty straightforward to use. Hand held (normally I'd use a tripod and wait for stiller conditions). Missed the framing a little, but that was because of the movement in the breeze combined with the shutter lag and I wanted to show uncropped versions to give you an idea of the magnification. These are at about half the maximum magnification available:







The advantages of the Q for this kind of work are the large depth of field and the crop factor. Plus metering is exceptionally good.

The disadvantages are average image quality and some shutter lag, making moving subjects trickier. Setting aperture is a bit faffy and I had to just guess from the size of the hole.

I wouldn't generally choose this over a dslr macro option but it does have potential and I find it easier in some ways than using a dslr due to the much greater dof.

It's difficult to explain why. I prefer a DSLR for most things. The Q has shortcomings but it has advantages too. Photography isn't always about image quality. I think you have to use one to see how it fits in for you. It has added an additional dimension to what I do. For me it's more about feeling and inspiration and I'm now never withoot a camera. Lots of intangibles that are difficult to explain.

I wouldn't hold my breath for the official adapter. The M42 to K mount adapter is £65 and it is only a small metal ring. The K to Q adaptor (promised in Spring) requires rather more engineering including a shutter, so expect it to cost big bucks.

I have an adapter, I've only tried so far with the DFA100macro. I'll try it with a M50mm f1.7 and post some pics to give you an idea whether you think it's worthwhile. I think it will give alright results.

Good review, it points out the strengths of the camera and the situations where it is advantageous to use it. Particularly useful for those considering the Q as a compliment to an SLR.

Tripod and cable/remote release (or 2sec timer up to 30sec. SR off. 18mm

A twenty to thirty second exposure at high ISO (3200 or 1600) wide open at the widest angle should do the trick. There will be a couple of meteors a minute so excellent chances of getting a good trail. If you can find an interesting foreground object then all the better (you can light paint it with a torch for a few seconds). Set the camera up just before nightfall so you can see what you are doing and framing.

Or go for bulb and star trails. Twenty minutes will give a decent arc. Remember dark frame subtraction doubles exposure times. Fully charge batteries. Low ISO at wide open will be fine. Can be stopped down depending on what light is around.

'Source' of shower is Eastern horizon, although meteors can be seen anywhere. Best before moonrise (although a waning crescent won't ruin it).

So to speak. Having glimpsed a bit of the potential for macro and telephoto of using the Q with K mount lenses I thought I'd give it a go for Moon shots hooked up to the telescope. I thought the crop factor of the small sensor combined with a large depth of field at wide apertures might work well. I had a quick go last night after receiving the adapter. I have still to work out how to get the best out of it, I need a remote control for starters. Nonetheless, performance exceeded my expectations and the Q will allow me to do things that I just can't do with the K5. The first shot was in February, K5 with K35mm f3.5:




This is from last night, same Moon phase. Q with FA43, uncropped. It is the lower right corner in the above shot:




This is a few shots from the same Q setup stitched together:




The K5 has it on IQ as to be expected. But not by that much. Furthermore the full sized image with the Q has around 15 times the pixel count of the same thing with the K! The close view I can't achieve with the K5 at anywhere near the quality.

The Q opens up a great project, which is to stitch together a full Moon shot with full crater detail from crops of shots like the second taken over the Moon's cycle (it will take several months). I need to get the magnification consistent, which could be tricky. The Q certainly is proving a valuable addition to the bag.

I miss the shake reduction on/off switch on the K20. That's all.

Me too. A very interesting selection of very good looking shots. The Q seems to do B&W really well. I think everyone who has this camera is very pleasantly surprised.

Breathe a sigh of relief for the holidaymakers who have booked our gite.