Hexanon M 2.0 who has experience with it?

[ray*j*gun]

I have read here that the Konica Hexanon line of lenses are excellent. May I have your personal experience with the 50, 2.0? I don't need the super fast version of a 50 as I have a Nockton 1.5 now.

Thank you!!

 

[Andy Kibber]

It's an excellent lens. Lots of discussion on here about it. Very well made, optically excellent and it doesn't call a lot of attention to itself (which I like). I sold my M-mount gear last year and the Hex 50 is the only thing I really miss.

 

[sahe69]

You have understood right. The M and LTM hexanons are all excellent. Build quality is up to leica standard or better and the IQ and color rendition are also very good. Moreover, the 50/2 is a bargain compared to 50 mm summicrons.

 

[chrispiper]

I picked up a set of M Hexanons (50 f/2 and 90 f/2.8) in December. I have no regrets so far: excellent build quality, excellent images and reasonable price. The built in hoods are nice too. I'll be keeping them for a long time.

Chris

 

[lukaz85]

the m-hex 50 is a great lens, i prefered it over the nokton 50/1.5. the hexanon is one stop slower, but you can focus down to 0,7m. and of course, it's a real bargain.

 

[ferider]

Moreover, the 50/2 is a bargain compared to 50 mm summicrons.

Not any more.

 

[jja]

Not any more.

Yup, a few years ago you could get the 50/2 M-Hexanon for as little as $300 (I once saw one sell for $250 on pnet). At the going rate of $450-$500 these days, it's still a relatively good deal.

I have owned a couple of copies of this lens, and it is outstanding. Better build quality and better flare suppression than the 50/2 Summicron. It is just slightly less contrasty than the 'cron, but the difference was only noticeable to me at extreme magnification. This is a lens I'd be happy to own again (only sold mine b/c I wanted to try something else).

 

[payasam]

I've only done a few tests with my M Hexanon 50/2, but the lens performed brilliantly in them. The sliding hood is something of a joke: though the consensus seems to be that the lens does not really need a hood.

 

[coelacanth]

I still regret selling mine when the price was low. I got mine for $330 or so. It's a superb lens. If you are looking for do-all f2.0 50mm, it's really hard to beat this lens.

 

[aizan]

i like the hood. it extends as you remove the cap, a nice ergonomic touch.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thank you all for your input and sample photos!! I am always impressed with the depth of experience of the members and never want for an answer.

TY again!

 

[stephan_cautaerts]

The M-Hexanon 50/2 is an excellent lens. Just as the 35/2 and the 90/2.8. Never used Leica however, but compared to the Nokton 50/1.5, which has outstanding image-quality as well, I do prefer the M-Hexanon.

 

[Andy Kibber]

Almost all of these were taken with a Hexanon 50:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andykibber/sets/72157623124995875/

 

[Nigel Meaby]

The 50 is a lens that is a keeper for me. I've had summicrons and Zeiss Planar and have settled for the Hexanon. One for sale in the Classifieds right now for a great price unless someone has snapped it up already. Pictures taken with it in my Flickr

 

[sahe69]

Not any more.

I guess you're right Roland. It really seems the 50/2 prices have started to creep up. 2 yrs ago when I bought mine I still could get it for around 200 euros. 🙂

 

[RayPA]

i like the hood. it extends as you remove the cap, a nice ergonomic touch.

So do I! It would be nice if it had a locking mechanism. One purpose of a hood is to protect the lens front. The hood on the Hex 50/2 doesn't really offer much protection, because it doesn't lock. It doesn't take much to retract it.

/

 

[nobbylon]

I sold mine a while back. A great lens however I just don't like built in hoods. If I had one complaint I seem to remember the focus throw was a little short. IQ though was equal to any Summicron I've had. From my records I sold it for £270 maybe 18mths ago.

 

[aizan]

hoods as bumpers are definitely best when they're detachable and screw onto the filter thread. i personally wouldn't count on the 50mm summilux asph's locking hood, for example, to protect the lens or prevent major repairs.

 

[maddoc]

I had one and it is a stellar performing lens. I only sold it to help founding my Millennium Nikkor-S lens. Prices for M-Hexanons 50/2.0 have indeed gone up recently ...

Here two shots taken with my copy of the lens:

 

[jmkelly]

Plus one for "maybe the best f2 lens I owned" and "I sold it a while ago" - great lens, but I found I was using the DR Summicron more.