50 mm for Konica Hexar RF

J

JOLILLO

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I have recently got a Konica Hexar Kit with m-hexanon 50 f2 and flash... still waiting it arrives to me :) ... but I am not sure about to keep the hexanon or maybe sell it, I feel fascinated with the samples I have seen taken with the CV Heliar f2, What you people think?
 
I'm sure everyone will tell you to keep the hexanon. It's a very well respected lens.

I have a 50mm 2.5 CV Skopar on mine and so far I like it, although I do hanker after some Zeiss glass.

Never used the Heliar I'm afraid but there is a thread going at the moment on CV50mm lenses, you might want to check it out.

Bob.
 
On my Hexar RF, if I want contrasty flare free modern results, I use the compact CV50f2.5. If I want vintage looking results, I put on a vintage Elmar, Summar, Summitar, Summicron, or Summarit.
 
I have the 50/2 M-Hex in the mail as well - to arrive in the next week or so.
Cann't wait to use it, so far I have only seen stunning results
created by this tiny lens.

Roland.
 
JOLILLO said:
..What you people think?
Click to expand...
What I think is that you'll have trouble finding a lens with a build that's on par with the M-Hexanon. You'll have to shop Leica to get something anywhere near as good.

It is built at least as good (if not better) as a Summicron. And whether you like one or the other best is mostly a case of whether you appreciate the somewhat rounded (Konica) or somewhat more rectangular (Leica) machining of the metal at the edges.

I also think that the moment you get to handle this lens, you'll be left wondering why you ever considered trading it for something else..
 
Short answer: keep, and use, the M-Hex. I doubt you'd be missing much, if anything, over any other lens in that category.


- Barrett
 
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my opinion - yes, keep it and use it!

Very good results wide open, excellent building quality.
Make photos with different distances from the object and you will see, if you like the character of the lens
 
Thank you all folks ¡¡¡
Well, I think everyone agree about keeping the hexanon and try... Ok, thats what I will do.
Again thank you for your help, and kind regards to all of you.

Jose.
 
I've used the Heliar quite a bit and liked it, but never felt that it was outstanding. I recently became a Konica junkie and purchased the 50, 90 and 35UC. Just used the 50 last night for the 1st and am dying for the results. Everything I've seen from the M-Hex inicates superority in all aspects. The other focal lengths are outstanding. I'm seeing a few used Heliars on the market these days. After one year, they are no longer the hot item they once were.
 
I keep my hex 50/2 with me at all times. It is a little weird going between a tabbed cron and this non-tabbed lens, but once those few seconds of adjustment are over, it's easy to adjust, size is very tiny for a 50/2, hardly larger than a cron asph, and hood is built in.
 
After having used Hexanon 50, Planar 50 zm, Rigid Cron, First Black cron (pre-tabbed version) and several other 50s, I prefer Hexanon, although Planar is next in line. Same goes for Hexanon 90 - used CV 90, Fat TE Leica 90, Nikon 85/2, Canon 85/1.9 and some others - Hexanon is my favorite hands down.
But it is all matter of taste I suppose.
 
Interesting comment, Krosya. Not to challenge you in any way, but rather to learn, can you share why you like the Hex 50 over, for example, the rigid Cron? Guess I should do a search on this forum as I presume there's some discussion and/or examples hiding in here. But thought you could share some insights while I do some digging. Further, I'm curious why you like the Hex 90 over the Nikon 85/2. Any thoughts, insights, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Randy
 
HI,
Well, in the example of those two lenses - Rigid CRon and Nikkor 85 vs Hexanons - it mostly comes down to handling. Rigid Cron is a great lens. It shines in B&W, but I didn't really care for it in colour. Also long focus throw and infinity lock drove me crazy. Hex 50 is great with both Colour and B&W and handles beautifully.
As far as Nikkor - great images from that lens, but again, reason I sold it was handling - heavy lens, long focus throw and rotation appr. ring as you focus (mine was a chrome one). Hex 90 is lighter, faster to focus lens for me.
You can see some of my photos (link below) with some of those lenses, plus if you search - I have posted some here too.
Hope this helps.
 
I have both of these lenses and shoot them on the Hexar. That is, I would, if I ever shot the CV Heliar F2 again. The Heliar is fine, but not in the same league with the Hexanon. The Hexanon is awesome. Search my Flickr stream and you can see examples of both lenses. The pictures are tagged.
 
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JOLILLO said:
I have recently got a Konica Hexar Kit with m-hexanon 50 f2 and flash... still waiting it arrives to me :) ... but I am not sure about to keep the hexanon or maybe sell it, I feel fascinated with the samples I have seen taken with the CV Heliar f2, What you people think?
Click to expand...

I think you should buy the Heliar and try it out, then keep the one you prefer and sell the other. You won't loose much on either lens, and then you'll know you have the right one for you. At this level of quality, it's more a matter of preference than technical nonsense.

I have the Heliar Classic, and I know it's not the sharpest or fastest lens around, but I love the results. I'm sure the Hexanon is great too. I've seen a lot of nice shots taken with it.

Here's are some of my Heliar Classic shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photophore/tags/cv502heliar/

Paul
 
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