PENTAX Q 08 WIDE ZOOM (1.5x zoom)
A review and sample photos of the 08 Wide Zoom for the PENTAX Q, used with the PENTAX Q10 and Q7.
- Please see the disclaimer regarding advertising here.
- Italicized links in the text are advertisement links that take you to other sites.
Table of contents
Gallery
The example photos were taken with a Pentax Q7.
Review
1．Overview
The 08 Wide Zoom Lens for the Pentax Q is the final ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for the Q.
Its focal length is 3.8-5.9mm, which translates to 21-33mm in 35mm format for the Q and Q10, and 17-27mm for the Q7 and Q-S1.
Since the Pentax Q series does not have a mechanical shutter on the camera itself, the four AF-compatible lenses, including this one, are equipped with a leaf shutter inside the small lens housing.
2．Usability
I attached the 08 Wide Zoom Lens for Pentax Q to a Q7 during a trip to Australia.
Using the lens, I noticed some noticeable graininess typical of compact digital cameras at 1:1 magnification, but the image appeared fine when reduced to about half. In harsh backlit conditions, with the sun directly in front, noticeable ghosting occurred, even with the hood attached. Even when used with the Q7, which has a slightly larger sensor than the Q10, there was no corner falloff, making this a reliable lens.
Because the sensor size is quite short, distortion is noticeable in scenes with straight lines in RAW images, but it is corrected in JPEG images.
The minimum focusing distance is 0.25m across the entire zoom range, and while the actual focal length suggests it could be closer, given the actual focal length, if we assume that the sensor is approximately 0.05m (5cm) from the tip of the lens, you can get as close as 0.2m (20cm) from the tip of the lens, which is sufficient for general photography.
I no longer have this lens, and sold it when the selling price exceeded the purchase price. This lens was selling for around 30,000 yen just before it was discontinued, but in 2024 it has a price tag of at least 70,000 yen and at most 100,000 yen. It is certainly rare to find a 17mm focal length in a compact digital camera size, but with Micro Four Thirds, although the camera size is slightly larger, you can get a focal length of 8mm actual, or about 16mm in 35mm format, for less money, so rather than going to the trouble of getting your hands on this lens, I think it might be better to look for another option.
The lens has the following options.
- PH-RBF49: Lens hood
- O-LC49: Front lens cap (49mm)
Since there are no photos of the lens housing in my database, the exterior photos are taken from the official PDF.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the 08 Wide Zoom Lens for Pentax Q is an ultra-wide-angle lens that achieves a maximum angle of 17mm in a compact camera system.
However, as of 2025, even the cheapest models are priced at nearly 100,000 yen, so considering the quality of images that can be captured, it may be better to look for a wide-angle lens for a different system, such as Micro Four Thirds.
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 |
Reference links
- 01 STANDARD PRIME Official page
- 02 STANDARD ZOOM Official page
- 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM Official page
- 08 WIDE ZOOM Official page
Affiliate link
Update history
- 2025.8.24
- 2024.07.27
Leave a Reply