Pentax Q 8.5mm f/1.9 Lens Review

Pentax Q 01 Prime 8.5mm f/1.9 Performance

So is the lens any good? Coupled with the 12MP Q system bodies performance will be slightly better with the larger sensors of the Q7 and Q-S1 bodies and in fact sharpness is impressive.

At the centre, sharpness is excellent from f/1.9 to f/4 and very good from f/5.6 to f/8. The peak is f/2.8 and there is a massive amount of depth of field even at this wide aperture.

The edges are very good from f/1.9 to f/5.6 and still good at f/5.6 and f/8.  

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very low at the centre and still well controlled at most apertures at the edges. Some fringing can be seen at the edges, but it can be tackled in software.

The drawing of the lens is very good, showing just +0.18% of pincushion distortion with correction turned on, but with definite barrel distortion when turned off. Flare is also well controlled, with no problems shooting against the light in terms of artefacts, but a slight loss of contrast in the worst cases.

The sample images were shot with the Pentax Q and Pentax Q-S1 bodies.
 

Value For Money

Prices for the 01 lens on its own can be surprisingly high and also surprisingly variable. It is excellent VFM at £85, but not very good at £181. That is the sort of variation found. When included with a Q series body the value is fine and if possible that would be the way to buy the lens.

For more options have a look at the Top 10 Best Pentax Lenses.

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