PENTAX Q 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM

3x telephoto zoom lens for Pentax Q

A review and photo examples of the Pentax Q 06 Telephoto zoom lens

Gallery

The example photos were taken with a Pentax Q7.

ペンタックス Q用ギャラリー

Review

The 06 telephoto zoom lens for the Pentax Q has a focal length of 15-45mm, which is equivalent to a 35mm focal length of 83-248mm for the Q and Q10, and 69-207mm for the Q7 and Q-S1.

The maximum aperture is F2.8 throughout the zoom range, which is quite impressive. Since the actual focal length is 15-45mm, it would be nice to see this level of brightness maintained. Considering that the maximum aperture of the 02 STANDARD ZOOM’s focal length of 15mm is F4.5, this is a good reason to actively use this lens on the telephoto side.

This lens has an elaborate gimmick. It is a retractable lens that shortens its overall length when stored, and when set to the minimum focal length of 15mm, the overall length of the lens extends by about 15mm. At this point, the lens is locked with a slight resistance, and between 15mm and 45mm, it becomes an inner zoom lens whose overall length does not change. Considering the low price, it has a somewhat complicated mechanism and seems to be a product that has been carefully designed.

The focus ring is narrower than the zoom ring, and the rotation feel is also thin, but since this lens is designed for autofocus, it shouldn’t be a problem.

There is not much difference between Raw and JPG in terms of distortion, and I feel that the lens itself is well corrected. DNG seems to have deeper colors, but JPG may be able to do the same depending on the settings.

The minimum shooting distance is 1m throughout, which is quite poor for a lens with a maximum focal length of 45mm. I wish it could have done better to get to about 0.5m.

The Pentax Q series does not have a mechanical shutter on the camera side, so the four AF-compatible lenses, including this lens, are equipped with a lens shutter on a small lens body.

Looking at the results of using the lens, as with any lens, the roughness unique to compact digital cameras can be noticeable at 1:1 magnification, but when reduced to about 1/2, the image appears to be fine. As for backlighting, in harsh conditions where the sun is directly in front, flashy ghosting occurs even with a hood attached. Even when used with the Q7, which has a slightly larger sensor size than the Q10, there is no light falloff in the corners, so this lens can be used with confidence.

The following options are available for the lens.

PH-RBA40.5: Lens hood (common to Q7 and Q10)
O-LC40.5: Front lens cap (40.5mm)

Specification

Items	01	02	06	08
Focal length(mm)	8.5	5〜15	15〜45	3.8～5.9
Q10 35mm equivalent focal length	47	27.5〜82.5	82.5〜247.5	21〜33
Q7 35mm equivalent focal length	39	23〜69	69〜207	17〜27
Max aperture	1.9	2.8〜4.5	2.8	3.7〜4
Leaf blade	5	←	←	←
Lens Construction	8 elements in 5 groups	8 elements in 7 groups	14 elements in 10 groups	8 elements in 7 groups
Min distance(m)	0.2	0.3	1.0	0.25
Lens length(mm)	23	48	56	38
Max diameter(mm)	45.5	48.5	50	54
Filter Size(mm)	40.5	←	←	49
Weight(g)	37	96	90	75
Release date	2011.8.31	←	←	2013.12