40/1.8 Hexanon -- Should I?

[Trius]

Please help me not buy this. It comes on a TC body (meter non-operative, which seems to be common), and in all the Googling I've done on the lens, it seems to get some high marks, even here on RFF. 😀

So do I need it? No. It's a cheap kit ($35USD), but I'd have to drive a bit or have it shipped. My thinking has been:

• The pancake design makes a really compact package on the small TC body
• Most reports (though not all) say it's very sharp
• There are reports of some bokeh unpleasantness at certain apertures ... I like good bokeh, but am not a bokeh freak
• It seems to be pretty easy to modify to fit other mounts, especially 4/3s. If that's the case, it would probably even work on an OM.
• I could sell it on for the same or even a bit of profit if I wanted to

However, I don't need it, and the $35 could be banked towards a Barnack or M/ZI-M.

Please someone tell me it's not worth the time and effort!

 

[FrankS]

Earl, I'll trade you my Konica FS-1 with a 40mm pancake lens, for a bottle of Trius wine.

 

[Trius]

Done deal!

 

[FrankS]

See you at our next TO/GTA RFF meet up.

 

[Robin P]

Yes it is sharp but is prone to flare when the sun is just outside the frame - this means a good hood is necessary which of course negates the attraction of the pancake dimensions.

Cheers, Robin

 

[pesphoto]

Ive had one for a few months, it's a great lens. Use it on an FS-1 body. I mostly shoot high iso and stop down, not a big fan of Out of focus backgrounds.

 

[MaxElmar]

Konica TC was my first SLR circa 1977 - took another 15 years to get the 40 after my original 50/1.7 hexanon wore out. The 40 has stayed on there since! Great little lens. (And I wish I still had my 28/1.8 UC !)

 

[pesphoto]

Here is a recent pic with the 40 1.8
I find the 40mm just right as 35mm is a bit too wide for me and it gives a bit more than 50mm.

 

[shadowfox]

Done deal!

Body-wise, the T4 and FT-1 are the ones to get. FT-1 is famous for non-working battery contact, so check it first.

Lens-wise, you'll like 35/2, 50/1.4, and (surprise!) 80-200/4 UC zoom (make sure it has UC on the front, otherwise it's the inferior version).

 

[kuzano]

Konica 40/1.8 on Panny L1 w/proper hood

Konica 40/1.8 on Panny L1 w/proper hood

Don't know if this will work.. but:

http://homepage.mac.com/godders/Pana_L1_w_Konica_40mm_and_hood.jpg

If not, go to this link:

http://forum.fourthirdsphoto.com/showthread.php?t=47137

My L1 is crying out for this look, and the results I read about. I use an OM Zuiko legacy 50/1.4 on the camera and am quite pleased. I really like the analog functions on the Panasonic L1

 

[Robin P]

Flare example

Flare example

Here's an example of the veiling flare this lens will give without a hood, sun just to the left of the image.

Cheers, Robin