The Pentax Q Stress Test: Day 3

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Fashion Week Diary

By Sandy Ramirez

September 11, 2011

Sandy sets up the Q to shoot a couple of presentations working with a big potato-masher flash. So far, so good.

Read The Pentax Q Stress Test: Day 2

 

 

About my only complaint so far is that the images don't auto rotate in the computer. The color balance when set to tungsten is a little cool as well, but not really too bad. I stopped off and picked up the prototype transmitter from Tobias at Adorama. I fitted it to my Metz, then the Q.

 

 

Setting the flash to auto, I began shooting it in the Lobby and shot two presentations. Again the Q drew a lot of attention and a lot of admiration. Many of my fellow photographers read the 1st day's installment and like what they saw. They've expressed interest in buying a Q when they become readily available. I think Pentax has a hit on their hands! I shot entirely using flash today, getting a shot of Jessica Stam in the lobby. The Q seems capable of doing the job.

 

 

 


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9 readers rated this article. Average rating: 5.0 stars
 
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1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
To devorama

We posted the video that shows the tracking in action if you want to take a look :)

by The Author in NYC on September 21, 2011

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Flash working

Just as a follow up, I figured out I can indeed activate manual flashes and flash triggers if I set the Flash mode to OFF to deactivate the built in flash. However, you might want to recheck your movie mode, as my Q is clearly not autofocusing even while set to AF mode. It only autofocuses itself before the recordings starts.

by devorama in Chicago, IL on September 16, 2011

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Thanks

Thanks Sandy! We have been having conflicting reports about those two features on pentaxforums.com where the camera is being discussed.

by Scott in Illinois on September 16, 2011

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Wireless Trigger

Hi Scott, As I mentioned the wireless trigger is not that different than a Pocket Wizard Flex receiver and TT transmitter. I mounted the transmitter to the hot shoe of the Q, and the receiver has a hot shoe where I mounted my Metz 54. Since the system I was using was a prototype, it did not support TTL. My flash however has an "Auto" mode. That works by telling the flash the ISO and aperture you are shooting at. The built in meter on the flash (called a thrystor) will then cut off the flash when it feels enough light is reflected back to it. Granted it is not as elegant as TTL, but it does work, and has been used well for nearly 40 years. As far as the AF with video - yes it does work. The printed manual says so and in video mode there is a separate menu when you push the info button for the AF. You can select Tracking or face detect. You can also switch it to manual focus.

by The Author in NYC on September 16, 2011

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Questions

As devorama was asking, how is that wireless trigger working with the camera? Also, can you confirm that you have auto-focus running when the camera is recording video?

by Scott in Illinois on September 15, 2011

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Flash Trigger

Hi devorama. Unfortunately I cannot really go to far in depth about the trigger as it is a prototype. The flash I use is dedicated to Canon, so instead I switched it to auto exposure mode and used it much like an old Vivitar 285HV i.e. I set the ISO and aperture on the flash, and the thrystor will cut the flash off once the sensor determines the light output is sufficient.

by The Author in NYC on September 14, 2011

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Flash trigger?

Can you explain more about the prototype flash trigger? Does it do P-TTL? I could not get my Cactus V5 trigger to work with the Q. And my Sigma flash only works with the Q in P-TTL mode. Manual mode gives weird results.

by devorama in Chicago, IL on September 13, 2011

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Yep

You are right Robbie, the G12 is the larger sensor. We all make mistakes

by The Author in NYC on September 13, 2011

0 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Last chance!

Last chance to change your answer regarding which camera has the biggest sensor. Pentax Q Canon G12 Nikon P7000 The choice is yours

by robbie_d in Somewhere people admit to their mistakes on September 12, 2011

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