Pentax Q7: Better, but still too specific

I have the Pentax Q mirrorless camera. I still think it's rather useless. However, to be objective, I bought another camera from the Q series.

It is the Pentax Q7.

(black Q and  silver/black Q7)

After using the Q7 for some time, I realized that it is better. There are a few reasons why.

1. It has a larger, 1/1.7" (12MP) sensor. Its crop factor is 4.6x instead of 5.6x.

2. The larger sensor provides better image quality and a wider angle of view. For example, the 02 Standard Zoom lens provides a ~24mm wide-angle equivalent, which is uncommon for an older compact camera.

3. The Pentax Q7 is noticeably faster than the Pentax Q. I find the speed of the Q very annoying.

4. Although the controls are almost identical, the Pentax Q7 is more convenient. For instance, the Q7's power switch button is much better and more responsive.

5. The quick dial on the Pentax Q is completely useless to me. In contrast, the quick dial on the Pentax Q7 has two useful functions: Focus Peaking and ND Filter.

So, if you want to have fun in struggling with a Pentax Q-series camera, at least buy the Pentax Q7.

See also related notes:

• Pentax Q: Useless mirrorless camera (2025-02-14)

Image albums:

• Pentax Q (series)

Shimano M7100-1 (SLX): Crankset 175mm, 32T

Switching from an 11-speed drivetrain to a 12-speed one meant replacing the 11-46 cassette with the 11-51 cassette. This changes the slowest gear ratio from 46/30=1.5333... to 51/30=1.7 when using the stock 30T chainring. This is too slow for my purposes. Therefore, I wanted to replace the chainring.

While the stock FSA Comet MegaTooth 30T chainring can be replaced, finding a replacement is difficult for me because of its rare FSA direct mount.

A solution I chose is to replace the crankset with the Shimano FC-M7100-1 (Hollowtech II, SLX), 175mm option.

The chainring is 32T (51/32=1.59375) because I am unsure if there is enough space for a 34T (51/34=1.5) near the right chainstay of the Cujo 1.

This also means that I can use Shimano's 12-speed chains, which have a different shape.

The crankset and 32T chainring together weigh 635g.

See also related notes:

• SunRace CSM901 WA1 12-speed 11-51T cassette (2025-10-25)
• Shimano RD-M8100-SGS (Deore XT): 12-speed rear derailleur (2025-10-17)
• Кассета SunRace CSMX8 11-46T (2019-03-15)
• Cannondale Cujo 1 (2018): компоненты и спецификация (2018-10-14)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Rikenon 50/2: Samples [1] - FF - f/2

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Rikenon 50/2 at f/2

From my experience, the Rikenon 50/2 and the XR Rikenon 50/2 have the same optical design.

See also related notes:

• XR Rikenon 50/2 vs Rikenon 50/2 (2025-03-27)
• Rikenon 50/2 (K): Cheaper version of XR Rikenon 50/2 (2025-03-23)
• XR Rikenon 50/2 (K): Interesting 50mm lens (2024-09-20)

Image albums:

• Rikenon 50/2

From Philips 200P7ES to Samsung 245B

My old Philips 200P7ES (20", 1600x1200) monitor broke again, for the fourth time (2011, 2017, 2020). 

Instead of fixing it this time, I replaced it with another old Samsung 245B monitor (24", 1920x1200). This monitor is one year older (from 2007), but has only been repaired once.

See also related notes:

• Поломка монитора Samsung 245B (не включается) (2020-09-27)
• Монитор и электролитические конденсаторы (3) (2020-08-29)
• Монитор и электролитические конденсаторы (2) (2017-09-02)
• Монитор и электролитические конденсаторы (1) (2011-09-20)
• Монитор Philips 200P7ES (20", 1600x1200) (2008-01-30)

Viltrox AF 28/4.5: v1.10 firmware

The v1.10 firmware is now available for the Viltrox 28/4.5 lens.

Once again, I updated it with the Viltrox Lens application for Windows.

See also related notes:

• Viltrox AF 28/4.5: Firmware update (PC) (2025-07-21)
• Viltrox AF 28/4.5 (FE): Wide-angle pancake lens (2025-01-24)

Image albums:

• Viltrox AF 28/4.5 FE

Shimano SL-M8100-R (Deore XT): 12-speed shifter

This is a next component for 12-speed drivetrain.

It is the Shimano SL-M8100-R (Deore XT) shifter (shift lever), in the clamp version.

It does not have a gear indicator window. Moreover, there is no such option for this shifter at all.

The shifter with an unshortened cable weighs 137 g.

See also related notes:

• Shimano RD-M8100-SGS (Deore XT): 12-speed rear derailleur (2025-10-17)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Mir-26B 45/3.5: Samples [2] - 6x6 (expired Svema DS-4 film) - f/3.5

Once, I needed a 120 film take-up spool. The simplest solution was to get an expired roll of Svema color DS-4 (Свема ДС-4) film.

It should have been processed before June 1990.

I rewound the film onto a rod, then took the spool out to use it. After some time, I thought, "Why don't I shoot this expired film just for fun?"

So, I rewound the film onto the spool back and took some pictures with my Kiev-6S (6x6) camera and the Mir-26B 45/3.5 lens.

The film is ASA/ISO 50, but I exposed it as ISO 5-10. This required using an f/3.5 aperture for all shots.

This color negative film should be developed using the so called "Sovcolor" process. It is a Soviet derivative of the German Agfacolor process. However, I decided to develop the film using a B&W developer (this was my second attempt at developing color film as a B&W negative). I developed the film for 9 min with Pyrocat-HDC (1:1:100, 20°C) and fixed it with a neutral fixer (plain sodium thiosulfate solution). There was no bleaching step.

The negatives turned out too dark, but I successfully digitized them.

Although there are some spots and streaks, the result is surprisingly usable. Note that there are no backing paper numbers shown on the negatives (a common issue with expired 120 film).

See also related notes:

• NONS SL42 (II): Medium-format (P6) lenses - Biometar, Vega, Mir (2025-07-29)
• Kiev-6S: Budget medium format film camera (2025-06-11)
• Developing a color C-41 film as a B&W negative (2024-11-23)

Image albums:

• Photographic film
• Mir-26B 45/3.5

Sony a7c: Firmware updated to v2.02

After waiting for some time (I didn't find any complaints), I updated the firmware on my Sony a7c from v2.01 to v2.02.

In general, Sony does not provide long-term firmware support for older cameras. Therefore, updates like this one raise concerns that they may limit the camera's functionality. Although I haven't noticed any difference. Everything works as well as it did before.

See also related notes:

• Sony a7c: v2.02 firmware (2025-09-11)
• Sony a7c: Firmware updated to v2.01 (2025-06-05)
• Sony α7c (Alpha 7C, a7c) (2022-03-18)

Image albums:

• Sony a7c

TTArtisan 75/1.5 (M42x1/45.5): Homage to Biotar 75/1.5

My new lens is the TTArtisan 75/1.5.

Many reviews of this lens are available already, so here is just some brief information about it.

M42x1/45.5 mount.

6 elements in 4 optical groups.

9 aperture blades.

58mm filter thread.

The lens has ability to adjust the scale orientation, but my new copy is oriented incorrectly.

(mounted on the Pentax Super A with a M42-Pentax K adapter, where is the focusing scale?)

To adjust it, loosen the three T5 Torx screws on the lens (as stated on the official website in the "Characteristics" section). However, I successfully used a 1.3 mm hex key. Why can't the manufacturer make these adjustments itself? They should purchase used Zenit M42 cameras to use as benchmarks.

As is typical with Chinese manual focus lenses, my copy focuses beyond infinity when the focusing ring is turned to its hard stop.

This lens is  clearly a homage to the Biotar 75/1.5.

(source)

The "fat" (third) version was chosen as a reference. In my opinion, the TTArtisan 75/1.5 has an unattractive appearance. It looks especially bad when used with an adapter for a mirrorless camera.

In contrast to the Biotar, the aperture preset ring of the TTArtisan 75/1.5 is fake. There is only one aperture ring (f/1.5-f/16 with clicks).

But, at least, the TTArtisan 75/1.5 is much lighter and smaller than the Helios-40 85/1.5, which is also a Biotar relative. My Helios-40 was quite good, but impractical, so I sold it. The TTArtisan seems more usable in the real life, although I didn't consider it as a replacement for the Biotar 75/1.5. Its character seems to be different.

See also related notes:

• Pentax Super A: My new film camera (2025-04-21)
• Гелиос-40 (85/1.5) и бленда (2022-05-14)
• Использование M42x1 на Pentax K (2016-06-22)

Image albums:

• TTArtisan 75/1.5

SunRace CSM901 WA1 12-speed 11-51T cassette

After deciding to switch to a 12-speed drivetrain, I began acquiring other components. In my opinion, the most important of these is the cassette.

My first choice was the SunRace CSM901 WA1 12-speed cassette (for [Shimano] HG freehub body of my rear wheel).

Its sprockets are 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-33-39-45-51 (teeth). 

The 51T sprocket is made of aluminum A7075.

According to my measurements, the cassette weighs 597g. This is about 110g heavier than the SunRace CSMX8 11-46T 11-speed cassette.

See also related notes:

• Shimano M7100-1 (SLX): Crankset 175mm, 32T (2025-11-11)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Industar-26M 50/2.8: Samples [2] - FF - f/2.8

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Industar-26M 50/2.8 at f/2.8

This is my second copy of the Industar-26M lens. I took it from the Zarya camera (1959). This copy is in better condition overall than the first one.

See also related notes:

• Zarya: Scale focus film camera with interchangeable lenses (2025-01-28)
• Lenses from USSR (2024) (2024-06-08)

Image albums:

• Industar-26M 50/2.8

Cannondale KP284: Derailleur hanger application (up to 2018)

According to the 2018 Cannondale TechBook, the KP284/ derailleur hanger is compatible with the following bikes:

Adventure - 2018-2017

Althea - 2018-2016

Bad Boy 2, 3, 4 - 2018-2016

Catalyst - 2018-2016

Contro - 2016-2015

Cujo - 2018-2017

Foray - 2018-2017

Kids Quicks - 2018

Kids Trail 20 & 24 - 2018

Kids Cujo 20 & 24 - 2018

Kids Race 24 - 2017-2014

Kids Trail 24 - 2017-2014

Kids Street 24 - 2017-2014

Law Enforcement - 2017-2016

Mavaro Neo 1, 3 - 2018

Quick - 2018-2016

Quick CX - 2018-2015

Quick Neo - 2018

Scarlet - 2018

Tango - 2018-2016

Tesoro Neo - 2018

Trail - 2018-2015

See also related notes:

• Держатель заднего переключателя Cannondale KP284/ - для Cujo 2018 (2020-11-24)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Five Star 500/8 + Pentax Q: The Moon

The longest focal length lens that I have is the Five Star 500/8. It was interesting to test this cheap lens with the Pentax Q. The Pentax Q has a tiny 1/2.3" sensor with a crop factor of ~5.6x, so 500mm will be equivalent to ~2800mm!

As a subject, I chose the Moon.

f/11, 1/125, ISO 125 (Looney 11 rule)

This image has not been cropped, only resized. The result is not perfect due to noise and a lack of resolution, but it's still nice.

See also related notes:

• Pentax Q: Useless mirrorless camera (2025-02-14)
• Таир-3C и Five Star 500/8 (2022-05-26)

Image albums:

• Five Star 500/8

Shimano RD-M8100-SGS (Deore XT): 12-speed rear derailleur

This is a 12-speed rear derailleur.

It is the Shimano RD-M8100-SGS (Deore XT).

It can handle a maximum sprocket size of 51 teeth.

Unlike the Shimano RD-M8000-GS, the H/L adjustment screws are arranged in a more typical layout.

The Shimano RD-M8000-GS weighs 283g.

Initially, I wanted to use this 12-speed derailleur with the other 11-speed Shimano components on my Cujo 1 (they are unofficially compatible). I wanted to change the Shimano RD-M8000-GS (11-speed Deore XT) derailleur because there was a lot of play in its connection to the hanger.  However, then I changed my mind and decided to switch to a 12-speed drivetrain completely.

See also related notes:

• Shimano M7100-1 (SLX): Crankset 175mm, 32T (2025-11-11)
• Shimano SL-M8100-R (Deore XT): 12-speed shifter (2025-11-03)
• SunRace CSM901 WA1 12-speed 11-51T cassette (2025-10-25)

Image albums:

• Bicycle

Meyer-Optik Helioplan 40/4.5: Samples [2] - FF - f/4.5

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Meyer-Optik Helioplan 40/4.5 at f/4.5

See also related notes:

• Meyer-Optik Helioplan 40/4.5 (M42x1/45.5): Simple dialyte lens (2024-05-09)

Image albums:

• Meyer-Optik Helioplan 40/4.5