50mm Konica M-Hexanon 2.0

[fti]

Great performer. Can't tell how it compares to the Summicron, which it is modeled after. Lens feels solid, all metal and feels like a great user. Just had it cla'ed and look forward to using a lot.

 

[css9450]

Indeed! Fantastic lens; a pity I don't use mine nearly enough. But I really am not a 50mm guy, and I only have one camera it mounts onto...

 

[Rich1950]

I have a M-Hex 50/2. I use it if I want more contrast at apertures wider than f/4 or higher sharpness than my 50/2 collapsible.

Because the Hex has less flair I use it if shooting against a light source. I have no Hex focus issues on either M body I own. Its a 6/5 vs 6/4 construction. I have found the OOF blur to be OK and not modern.

Buying old lenses has risk. Most M mount 30 year old optics need to be cleaned. So getting a Hex which has a 50/2 v4 contrast/fingerprint makes sense.

Its the same weight and length as the Summicron V5. In a perfect world I wish it weighed 190g or lighter. The integrated hood is very convenient.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

There are some differences in mechanical design. The Hex's for instance used epoxy to fix the position of the focusing cam, rather than a set screw of other method. This means that if the lens is "off" compared to how your camera's focussing cam is set up with respect to all your other lenses, there is no way to adjust this. Had that issue with one of mine. In terms of the rendering, when they are on they are great.

 

[pvdhaar]

I use it on an M4, never had any issues with focusing; it's spot on.

 

[mfunnell]

My M-Hexanon 50mm/f2 was the first RF lens I ever owned (bought along with a Hexar RF, which I also really like but now hardly use). I've used it on other film and digital Ms with no problems and have always liked the results. I'll note, though, that my recent run-through of my rather-too-many 50mm lenses made me think it not quite as stellar as my early impressions until stopped down a bit.

That's OK, and not at all unusual. I guess I've just become more critical over time and with more to compare it with. I still think it is, overall, my 'best' 50mm lens. Just not the best I have for all circumstances. I still use it more than my other 50mm lenses, though, as a reliable all-rounder.

...Mike

[Yes, this is the Hexar RF photo on Wikipedia. I wrote the original article and provided the photo.]

 

[Freakscene]

Konica KM 50mm f2, yellow filter. Leica MP. Plus-X, Xtol 1+3

 

[Hilmersen]

Love this lens and how it renders. I mostly use the 50 lux now - because I find it easier to focus with the tab. In winter, the hex performs as it always does, while the lux gets harder to focus....probably because of the floating element?

 

[Freakscene]

Love this lens and how it renders. I mostly use the 50 lux now - because I find it easier to focus with the tab. In winter, the hex performs as it always does, while the lux gets harder to focus....probably because of the floating element?

And a different helicoid arrangement even outside close range where you start to move the floating elements.

Interestingly, I prefer the Hexanon for focus feel, although I mostly use a 50mm Summilux ASPH these days too.