#40: PENTAX Q-S1 brought back from Osaka

Perhaps because of my bad behavior, the photo exhibition "Rokuroku", which had been held from January 27th at Ricoh Imaging Square Osaka, was canceled on January 31st, halfway through the exhibition. I was. It's the Omicron stock that I hate, not Summicron, and it's no one's fault. There will probably be another opportunity soon, so please wait without taking it for granted.

By the way, in most photo exhibitions, the artist is often present. I think that the main purpose is to explain the works to the visitors and to entertain them, but this is also quite unusual.

I was also at Ricoh Imaging Square Osaka during the first half of the photo exhibition. Luckily, we were able to meet many customers and say hello to them, but sometimes the customers suddenly cut off.

In that case, I had no time to do anything, so I was just playing around with the PENTAX cameras on display, trying out new PENTAX interchangeable lenses, and playing with the Ricoh GR IIIx conversion lens. However, there was a camera that caught my eye.

PENTAX Q-S1 with 01 STANDARD PRIME. Simple design. I wonder if it can't be helped that there is a conglomerate atmosphere. The top of the pop-up strobe will be flush with the top of the body when stored. beautiful. The built-in feeling is tingling.

It seems that there are many cases in which a cute dog or cat catches your eye at a pet shop and ends up coming to your house. The same phenomenon can be seen in camera stores.

If that's the case, you shouldn't go near that kind of dangerous store, so these days, I try not to go to that kind of store as much as possible, and try to maintain peace in my heart and peace in my family. I'm here. Yes, at this time of year Matsuya in Ginza is recognized as one of the most dangerous areas in Japan, so please keep good children away.

Anyway, I never thought I would come across this in a camera manufacturer's gallery where brand new cameras are on display. Are you sure this camera is already discontinued? It was too unexpected.

If you look closely, you can see the word "Outlet" in the window where the camera is displayed. Even though it's called an outlet, it's not a strap with a design that doesn't sell well or a towel from GR. It's a genuine camera. And it's pretty small.

Yes. Enough. The camera I encountered was the PENTAX Q-S1. The light-emitting part of the built-in strobe popped up meaninglessly and was contained in the window, but it looked as if he was raising his hand saying, "Please, take me with you."

As a compassionate author, this is a striking situation. Moreover, recently, tears have become fragile due to aging. I don't care about that.

In conclusion, I decided to bring Q-S1 back to Tokyo. It can't be helped because our eyes met. Rather, the price presented at the outlet was quite a bargain. I'm in trouble, if you do this kind of thing. You can't ignore it even if you want to.

The PENTAX Q-S1 and lenses that I purchased this time. It is so compact that even if you carry these three lenses with the body, you will forget you are carrying them. You must be very careful not to lose it.

I didn't see the PENTAX Q series when I was active, but I thought that the reason was that I didn't have many opportunities to use it because I didn't get many requests for reviews. However, when I looked into it, it seems that it was not the case, and the author reviewed the original PENTAX Q in the discontinued "Nippon Camera". When I read it now, I'm actually praising it (laughs). I felt that the camera wasn't aimed at old people, so my interest didn't last.

Looking at the image taken at this time, it is quite high quality. It's a pity that I can't show it to everyone here because there is a beautiful model in it. Did you actually want the Q series to target young women? Although it may sound persistent, there is no law prohibiting old people from using a camera aimed at young women.

I hate reading manuals, so I pushed and turned this round object on the right side of the body when I bought it. When I looked into it, there was a punch line that it was a grip. It's a good design game, isn't it? The round object on the other side is called a quick dial. You can recall your favorite settings immediately. Design-wise it contrasts with the grip. Other cameras also have this kind of operation section, but you forget what settings are registered to which numbers. Don't underestimate the power of the old man.

However, even though I myself like small cameras, I personally thought that it would be impossible to seriously use an interchangeable lens camera with a sensor as small as a compact digital camera, so after that review article I didn't even care.

This was the thing I didn't like. Mr. PENTAX Q-S1, who came to my house, has been with me for the past two weeks.

To recap, all of the PENTAX Q series cameras have interchangeable lenses.

The first models Q (2011) and Q10 (2012) were equipped with 1/2.3 type CMOS sensors, and Q7 (2013) and this Q-S1 (2014) were equipped with 1/1.7 type CMOS sensors. Equipped with Both are effective 12.4 million pixels.

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PENTAX, the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens "PENTAX Q"

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PENTAX Q10 with improved resolution and AF performance

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PENTAX, high-end model "PENTAX Q7" with 1/1.7 type sensor

Same size as Q10. "Complete kit" that includes all 7 lenses and a special bag is also available

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Classic camera-like mirrorless machine "PENTAX Q-S1"

There is also a service where you can choose a color from 36 patterns

From the Q7, in addition to the larger sensor, the adoption of the new image processing engine "Q ENGINE" has greatly improved the response, according to the article at the time. By the way, in terms of specs, Q7 and Q-S1 seem to be almost the same. I didn't know this either. I'm not the type of person who only pursues resolution and sharpness of image quality in my private life, so if I can get a neutral and ordinary image without any problems, I'm basically satisfied with that.

It's a 1/1.7-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels. The camera shake correction is a sensor shift type. It also has an Ichiou sensor cleaning mechanism.

One of the reasons why I wasn't interested in it was that I didn't have much opportunity to touch it in the review, but the other reason I can think of is not the image quality problem, but the focal length of the interchangeable lens prepared according to the sensor size. It may have been too short.

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Five interchangeable lenses for Pentax and Q mount

~ "Fisheye" "Toy camera style" lenses etc.

In this focal length range, even if you change the lens and shoot, most of the photos will be in a pan-focus state, and I think I thought that it would not be able to differentiate greatly from smartphone cameras. The camera has a built-in Bokeh Control (BC) mode, but doesn't it feel like a trick to create bokeh with digital processing inside the camera? It may be good to think freely these days, but somehow I'm reluctant.

I bought three lenses. The single focus 8.5mm F1.9 lens is a standard lens called "01 STANDARD PRIME" and has an angle of view equivalent to 39mm in 35mm conversion. And "02 STANDARD ZOOM". This is an actual focal length of 5-15mm F2.8-4.5, equivalent to 23-69mm in 35mm equivalent. In addition, the 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM is a lens with an actual focal length of 15-45mm F2.8, equivalent to 69-207mm in the 35mm format. Oh, isn't the "01 STANDARD PRIME" close to the popular 40mm angle of view?

Since the 01 STANDARD PRIME has a 35mm equivalent angle of view of about 40mm, I attached a dedicated external viewfinder for the Leica screw mount smc PENTAX-L 43mmF1.9 Special. I used to attach it to my GR IIIx, but the other day I bought a dedicated finder for the GR IIIx, so I decided to use it.

These lens numbers, 01 and 02, seem to be like uniform numbers, but I think it's hard for people who use 35mm full-frame or APS-C cameras to get used to them. hey. As I mentioned earlier, the sensor size differs depending on the model, and the angle of view of each interchangeable lens also changes, so it seems that there is no point in emphasizing the equivalent angle of view of the 35mm format. I have another opinion, and I think that it is better to use different lenses with the actual focal length in mind.

It seems that the PENTAX Q series has been virtually discontinued, and Ricoh Imaging, which wants to specialize in "single-lens reflex cameras" from now on, may not want to dig up this topic now. However, when I actually started using the Q-S1, I realized that it was a unique model that historically could never have happened.

First of all, it's small and light, so you can carry it anywhere. It fits in a small bag or even in the inside pocket of a jacket. The shape is rolling, so it shows its presence even in your pocket. But be careful not to lose it.

You can change the lens, but if you attach the "02 STANDARD ZOOM" first, you won't have any problems, but if you want to show off your masculinity, you can go with the "01 STANDARD PRIME" alone. The angle of view is about 40mm in 35mm format, but the actual focal length is short, so the depth of field is much deeper than the GR IIIx.

You shoot with the 01 STANDARD PRIME. The aperture setting is F3.2 for stable high image quality and natural bokeh. The depiction of the skin of the tree is thrilling. This lens seems to have a barnacle-shaped special hood, so I have to explore it from now on. Q-S1 01 STANDARD PRIME (F3.2, 1/1,600 sec) ISO 200 If you walk down an alley, you may find this kind of drama even in the window glass. I pulled the camera out of my pocket and took a quick shot. In terms of angle of view, it feels like I'm staring at it with the naked eye. Q-S1 01 STANDARD PRIME (F5.6, 1/1,250 seconds) ISO 400 tool box. Although the 01 STANDARD PRIME has a short actual focal length of 8.5mm, it is a large-aperture lens, and if you open the aperture and take a close-up shot, the background will blur. Excellent rendering without double-line blur. Q-S1 01 STANDARD PRIME (F2.0 1/25 sec) ISO 400

Shooting was quite light. So much so that I forget I'm walking around with a camera. Still, the camera's build and finish are not bad, so it's fun. You can also perform at a bar with your photography companions. The three lenses I bought are small, but they have metal mounts. I would like to show it to some manufacturer. I want to shake hands with the person who made this decision.

Again, this is a camera system with a deep depth of field, so program AE and AF are automatically selected for exposure, and I don't worry too much about the focus position or accuracy, and I don't even check the image after shooting. I'll take more and more pictures. When I want to create the most important photos, I give some consideration to the surroundings and background of the subject so that the background does not become noisy, but this is not a camera that makes a difficult face and creates a detailed photo. . It seems to be good to change the angle little by little and take a picture of it.

Since it has the characteristic that it is easy to obtain pan-focus, I tried to think about shooting that makes use of this. With the 02 STANDARD ZOOM focal range, you can focus almost all the way back without considering the characteristics of the aperture. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F7.1, 1/2,000 seconds) ISO 400 Even if you shoot something that catches your eye, I don't want the lines to bend in such a subject, so I'm a serious writer and hold the camera straight. It takes a lot of effort to set up. But the camera will do just that. It also has a built-in spirit level. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F5.6, 1/1,000 sec) ISO 400

Although I would like the movement to be a little more agile, it also makes me feel like I should adjust it with my body. . I think it's because the camera looks cute. I am very profitable. And it's been eight years since it first appeared, so let's not get into the details.

What's interesting is that lenses with a lens shutter can be easily synchronized with the built-in flash during the daytime. I felt the possibility of creating something new.

Regarding the backlight condition, I tried synchronizing during the day, and the accuracy of the dimming was not good, so I adjusted the exposure a little to give it some leeway. Light distribution characteristics are good. It's very good. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F4.0 1/320 sec) ISO 200 Regarding the noise in the high-sensitivity range, I didn't feel any particular problem with how I used it. It's not my hobby to mess around with image quality with extreme settings. When I can predict that today's shooting will be difficult, I will bring a different camera with an APS-C or 35mm full-frame sensor. I am also a professional photographer, so I have that much wisdom.

Besides, I still use film cameras regularly, so I don't feel any stress when I carry the Q-S1 with me. This is fine. There are surprisingly few cameras that make me feel like I can pick up some images between shots or while I'm on the move. I like how the Q-S1 is able to create photos that are different from smartphones by not making it feel like a hassle to carry around a camera, always being with it, and showing its presence in times of need. is not it. Up until now, this has been the role of smartphones, so even if there were no practical problems, it was somewhat disappointing.

I had a preconceived notion that a small sensor would cause a poor connection between equal gradations, so I tried shooting under conditions with a large difference between light and dark. No problem. Since the subject lacks color, I converted it to monochrome, and the details of the shadows are also good. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F4.5, 1/1,000 sec) ISO 400 Kashiwa Nanban soba. There is a moderate depth of field, and it is easy to take such food photos. I usually take this kind of photo with my iPhone, but I still feel the difference. I set it to 10mm equivalent and shoot. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F3.5 1/100 sec) ISO 800

I wish I could have looked at the Q series from a slightly longer perspective. I wonder if I'll get angry if I don't say it now. I have nothing to say about the operability, but the conclusion is that if you can enjoy using it anyway, it's fine. If you want versatility in your camera, there's no reason to buy a camera, and it's boring. I wonder if I shouldn't have introduced this kind of camera right before CP+2022. After all, Ricoh Imaging's Pentax brand has declared that it will continue to go with "SLR". Oh, this is not a sarcastic one, just in case.

Let's compare the size with Pentax Auto 110. Auto 110 is small. Moreover, it is a serious "SLR". The specifications and functions cannot be compared, but the Q series was born with the Auto 110 as the starting point.

Q-S1, who came to our house, is in a state where he is constantly rolling around in his pocket, so it is scratched by house keys and coins, even though it has only been used for a short time. It has become. Would you like me to bring you another one? I believe there were two more Q-S1 color variations in stock at the outlet corner of Ricoh Imaging Square in Osaka, but it's probably just my imagination. Let's forget about it quickly (laughs).

It's a stable depiction, or a stable pan focus. The sharpness is sufficient, and if you don't check Exif, you won't know why you took the picture. Q-S1 02 STANDARD ZOOM (F5.0 1/1,000 sec) ISO 40006 TELEPHOTO ZOOM depiction. It's not bad, but the in-focus line looks a little thicker under these conditions, giving the impression of a thicker image. This is not a drawback. Correction of distortion is perfect, too. Q-S1 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM (F6.3, 1/1,600 seconds) ISO 200 This is my favorite piping. It's not a subject with sharp edges, so it doesn't feel very sharp, but you can gain a lot of depth at about F8. If you stop down carelessly, the sharpness may decrease due to diffraction. Q-S1 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM (F8.0, 1/1,250 seconds) ISO 200 I have the impression that it's been wintering properly this winter, but the plum blossoms have bloomed. Since the actual focal length is 45mm and the aperture is F4, it is possible to distinguish between in-focus and other areas, but it was a bit half-finished when considering bokeh. Q-S1 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM (F4.0, 1/800 sec) ISO 100