60mm 1.2 Konica Hexanon review

[yanidel]

A blog entry that turned into a comprehensive review. I have absolutely no desire to become a reviewer but thought it could be of interest to the community since it was never reviewed before (on the web at least). See it as a little contribution to the M system knowledge database. All shots taken with the Leica M9.

60mm Konica Hexanon review

 

[Viktor Sebastian]

If you would like to buy the original version.

 

[f16sunshine]

Thank you Yanidel. Very useful and candid review. The biggest obstacle in using this lens seems to be finding one 😉 Excellent example photos as always.

 

[Ruvy]

is it an m mount or something else + adapter

 

[noimmunity]

Excellent review. Another 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 lens. One that was hard to find to begin with will now become even more coveted...and expensive.

I like very much what you do with the lens, and I suspect that quite a bit of that has less to do with the lens than the person behind it!

If you would care to share some notes about your PP technique in another thread, it would be very interesting for me.

 

[D&A]

Great Review and no doubt Konica had some specific design principals in mind when constructing this lens. Even the original was designed with some specific goals as illustrated by the manufacturers comments (below)....

What I find absolutely interesting is the "copy" on the literature for the original 60mm f1.2 lens released in the 1950's. It specifically states "it's eight element formula successfully eliminates aberrations, permitting change in aperture settings, with virtually no shift in focus....toughest test of all!"

Wow, if I read this correctly, even then they were concerned with focus shift and addressed the issue. Here we are some 55 years later and we still have some great lenses that unfortunately are plagued with focus shift 🙂

Does the newer 60mm f1.2 show any degree of focus shift?

Yanidel, thanks for taking the time to write this review..it's refreshing from a shooters point of view.

Dave (D&A)

 

[flip]

I absolutely agree about the 35 / 60 setup. I did that for a vacation - 35 UC and 60 UC and it covered my needs well as someone who rarely needs at 28 or 90.

Prices are quite variable. I got mine on a bidding war for near 180000yen but a year later later saw one go for 130000 which made me cringe. I haven't seen any since.

I do wonder at how Konica developed this signature for their UC line of lenses that produce images that float so well wide open and then incredible sharpness stopped down. Don't suppose you have a diagram for the 50/1.2 to compare.

 

[yanidel]

Does the newer 60mm f1.2 show any degree of focus shift?

Dave (D&A)

According to Jean-Marie Sepulchre DxO tests, there is a very slight focus shift between F2.8 and F4.0. Sharpness on center is then just below the maximum grade but it will be very difficult to detect. In practical terms, I would therefore answer no to your question.

 

[D&A]

Thanks Yandel, interesting!. That possibly may mean Konica was aware of the history of the original 60mm f1.2 designed to minimize focus shift and attempted to do the same with the new one. In fact, aren't most Konica Hexar-M lenses basically free of focus shifts, aside from very small detectable ones, that have little consequences?

Dave (D&A)

 

[Cron]

thanks for posting the link and also for opinion of this very special lens

 

[yanidel]

Thanks Yandel, interesting!. That possibly may mean Konica was aware of the history of the original 60mm f1.2 designed to minimize focus shift and attempted to do the same with the new one. In fact, aren't most Konica Hexar-M lenses basically free of focus shifts, aside from very small detectable ones, that have little consequences?

Dave (D&A)

The other Konica lenses reviewed in the book mentionned in my review are the 28mm, the 35mm and 90mm. They do not show any focus shift, nevertheless back focus seems a common feature. Probably due to the slightly different flange to film/sensor of the Hexar vs Leica's.

 

[Krosya]

Thank you for a nice review! Great job. And I do love your photos from Hex 60/1.2. I always wanted to try it. But, based on my previous research and now - your review, I'm glad I did get Hex 50/1.2. It seems to work better for me - give me results I prefer. Yet, I hope to see more photos from you with the 60/1.2. Once again - great job!

 

[Xherion]

very enjoyable review, yanidel.
i also enjoyed looking at your excellent pictures at your blog.
great work!

 

[Krosya]

I think it's a good point - above , by JSU. Those Leica LTM-M adapters are the best - never had a problem with them. Thee is a reason they cost more than any other!

 

[leicashot]

I can't really comment on focus shift issues with the Hex 60/1.2 as I nearly always shoot either wide open or at 1.4. However, once I finally settled on the old Leitz 5cm LTM to M adapter, I have no issues with back focus. The attached images were shot wide open. The first is full frame at the minimum focus distance (0.80m) and the second, also full frame and ISO 640, at about 4 feet. The third frame is a crop of the second. This lens is as good as it gets at 1.4, for M users it may only be an issue of getting the right adapter ring.

Forgot to mention, these done with a M8.2.

Interested in selling JSU? ;-)

 

[hookonclassic]

My own experience on this lens

My own experience on this lens

Great effort from Yanidel. Agreed with Yanidel on his review about certain similarity of how this lens draws like 75 Lux, but with smaller form factor. This is indeed a nice fast lens on M9.

I didn't face any focusing or focus shift issue with this lens on digital M9.

All shots are taken wide open f1.2 on M9.

 

[Xherion]

nice shots Thomas!

 

[leicashot]

Get back with me when I'm on my deathbed, the Hex 60/1.2 is part of the permanent kit.

A few more from Saturday, still with the M8.2, ISO 640, wide open.

Let me know when you're close!😎

 

[Benjamin Marks]

FWIW, I recently bought the Konica AR 57/1.2, which I am using on an Olympus EP-2. It has a very similar signature. These are just amazing lenses -- Konica reeealy knows what it is doing with this formula. The thing that I find so impressive is that they can get the RF focusing to work on a lens with DOF this narrow.

 

[umboody]

That is one very nice lens. Great shots!