Dave,
Just an update on that...

If you set the Q to "MF" mode, then the OK button engages loupe mode. It defaults to x2 and you can use the rear dial to switch between x4 and x2.

In contrast, in "AF" mode the OK button will move the focus point.

Of course, with the Q10 there is a chance there could be some firmware updates for the Q...


As a walk-about and "fun" camera I don't think the Q can be beaten. It's just lovely to use. My favourite is with the Q01 standard prime
But with an ebay adapter (the one with aperture control and tripod mount) and the SMC FA50/1.4 strapped on it is amazingly compact and still has a fabulous bokeh at f/1.4! With the DA*50-135 it's crazy Will have to tripod it up and find some decent subjects...

Matt

A gavel and cramming lots of knowledge will give you a nasty headache?

Seriously though, not quite sure of interpretation. Words that spring to mind are judging, knowledge, history, archaeology, human, death all spring to mind - but I don't see an easy connection between them all.

Matt

I think it's down to the fact that it's contrast focus off the sensor (rather than phase detect as for dSLRs). On the K5 the focus confirmation for manual focus is achieved with phase detect... and I don't remember it being able to confirm when in Live View.

That said, there's an MF magnification option for Q lenses. It will show x2 or x4 automatically when you touch the manual focus ring - allowing very quick and positive MF. But, of course, that doesn't happen on the ebay K adapters etc (might do on the Pentax own adapter). (If you're lost trying to find it... it's in page 1 of the capture settings, "Focus Settings", then the "MF Assist" - which defaults to Off).

Because the Q's sensor is tiny, it's DoF is pretty large. I have a cheap ebay K-mount adapter and find it very easy to focus with a 50mm f/1.4, and even with a 300mm (DA55-300). Results are pretty good fun! The DA*50-135 does give nice results as well - behaving like a 740mm f/2.8 Sturdy tripod absolutely essential

..of course, if anyone wants to lend me a DA*300 or DA*60-250 to report on ease of use on the Q then I'd be happy to oblige

Matt

Peter,
Not that I can answer your question directly, but it _may_ be that the Sigma lenses still identify themselves through the two-byte lens ID tag. PhotoME should show that value (even if the name isn't shown).

So, if you use PhotoME to get your ID value and get someone with the 70-200 to do that too you should be able to get your answer

EDIT: I think it's Lens[ID] and is shown as 4 bytes (not two), e.g. 2+241+0+0 = DA*50-135, 2+242+0+0 = DA*16-50

EDIT: Crogram FilesPhotoMEdatamakernotespentax.xml contains an interesting list of lens names and includes a few Sigmas.

Assuming the tag values are different, I would imagine that the AF adjust should cope.

Matt

Shame they didn't even correct for CA in many of those images
Even my DA12-24 on K5 really pops when CA correction is applied in LR and looks softer before.

But the side by side studio shot looks very interesting

Matt

Me too (Electronics engineer)

As I said, NiMH often overcharge and will look like flat Alkalines.
Interestingly, the K-x added a battery choice menu item - it defaults to Auto, but allows you to choose a specific type.

Try Eneloops first though

Matt

I'm up for it
Matt

My brother in law had issues with an *ist-DL that required a new motherboard... so he replaced it with a K-x that also showed 'odd' battery issues.

On my recommendation he switched to Eneloop batteries and hasn't had an issue since

FYI, Eneloops will stay charged for approx 12 months, whereas regular NiMH cells will self discharge within a week or two (so the lower capacity of Eneloop NiMH is actually better than a higher capacity NiMH that self discharges).

But JohnX's suggestion of checking battery contacts is a good one.

NOTE: The cameras that use AA cells try to work out what type of battery is installed (Lithium, NiMH, Alkaline) based on the voltage. For example, it can be that overcharged NiMH look like flat Alkalines etc. Not sure if there's a custom setting to tell the camera which battery type you use... will have to check the manual.

Matt

Cannot see that at the small image scale
Matt

Hmmm...

Image 1 has a much better balance of colour, but looks like it's got some haloing going on around the trees (top right).

Image 2 is far too blue, and though there is no halo top right, there's some very odd bluish haze over the trees.


Difficult to judge at these resolutions...

TBH, it looks more like a test of taste, rather than workflow
(Reckon I could achieve either look in LR without much bother)
As has been said, it often comes down to personal preference. There are times that I find Silkypix much easier and quicker, but equally times when I can only tease out the detail and lighting in LR.

Horses for courses really

Matt