Ken Rockwell and Hexanon Lenses

[scorpius73]

Don't shoot me! I know some really don't like his reviews. But I was really surprised by how low he thought of the Konica M-mount lenses. I have the 28, 50 and 90mm lenses. I really like them. But, that's just me. Is anyone surprised by his review. Not that I will sell mine based on Ken Rockwell. I also noticed he just cust and paste for each lens review and typed in the particular lens.

http://kenrockwell.com/konica/index.htm

 

[david.elliott]

Just ignore him. 😛

 

[Darshan]

i see what u mean.

This is a bold statement that he makes: "If there's one thing the Japanese do well, it's copy other people's work." 😱

cheers,
dan.

 

[NickTrop]

I like Ken Rockwell's site and his articles and his opinionated style. I mostly agree with him. I can't for the life of me understand why some get so upset over his opinions. Very infomative, fun read.

 

[35mmdelux]

Nonsense. The Hex are among the top of the line lenses. In construction only second to Leica -- in some cases exceed Leica standards. Well thought out designs.

 

[John Lawrence]

I think Ken Rockwell's site makes quite a refreshing change in a web full of boring reviews and dof charts. You have to take it with a large pinch of salt though. In fact, Ken even says this himself:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm

John

 

[newspaperguy]

Have never used a RF Hex, but their SLR lenses are among the best I've ever shot with. That's comparing results to those obtained with my Nikon & Olympus glass.

 

[Matus]

You guys should just keep in mind that KR makes money BECAUSE of his over saturated expressions and semi absurd (and sometimes slightly offending or bold) words. That is what makes him stand out in the crowd and makes people keep clicking around. I mean - today more people probably know KR than AA ...

Taking his words too seriously can easily lead you out of the scope ...

I would most probably not take a photography course with him, but something like "making business out of nothing in 7 days" - there you could learn a lot!

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I like Ken Rockwell's site and his articles and his opinionated style. I mostly agree with him. I can't for the life of me understand why some get so upset over his opinions. Very infomative, fun read.

Two reasons:

1. "Please don't believe anything you read anywhere on this website. Although most of the technical information is probably true most of the time, the rest is all pretend. I love to fool around, pretend, and make things up."

http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm

With that said, i can't for the life of me understand why anyone would quote or reference anything he writes.

2. I have never seen a single photograph of his that demonstrates he has anything worthwhile to say, as far as opinions go. If you're looking for a weight of a lens or something, that's one thing. One resource is as good as another. But, anything subjective? Why this guy? If he's making images that are better than your own, fine. I guess he might have some advice for you. But, the images posted in this forum are almost invariably better than what he shows.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

...I was really surprised by how low he thought of the Konica M-mount lenses.

He doesn't have a low opinion of the lenses per se; he acknowledges that they can be used to produce wonderful images. He simply writes that they don't measure up in terms of performance (and in his opinion, build quality) to Leica's lenses.

I really like them. But, that's just me.

It's Ken Rockwell too. Again, he says they're fine lenses.

Is anyone surprised by his review.

Nothing Ken Rockwell writes surprises me.

Not that I will sell mine based on Ken Rockwell.

And according to Ken, you shouldn't. He says that if you already own the Konica lenses, use them; don't replace them. However, if you're buying a lens, choose Leica over Konica if best performance is the deciding factor.

 

[NickTrop]

Ken's site is fun and informative. I think it's also honest, calls'em as he sees'em. He likes what he likes, he's not afraid to change his mind (he loves Leica lenses now - I don't think this was always the case...) Because of this he is either intentionally or unintentionally a provocateur.

It is very, very east to be a provocateur when amongst photographers and their cultish allegience to a brand or type of camera. Believe me, I know.

 

[flip]

You guys should just keep in mind that KR makes money BECAUSE of his over saturated expressions and semi absurd (and sometimes slightly offending or bold) words. That is what makes him stand out in the crowd and makes people keep clicking around. I mean - today more people probably know KR than AA ...

Taking his words too seriously can easily lead you out of the scope ...

I would most probably not take a photography course with him, but something like "making business out of nothing in 7 days" - there you could learn a lot!

+1

Running with the pack doesn't sell ads.

 

[alexnotalex]

agree with the above, Ken's a fun read, compared to the technical-performance obsessed camera sites taking pictures of test charts all day... He got me interested in rangefinder equipment and reminded me that photography was fun... so... thanks Ken! And I don't take you too seriously if you're reading this thread,

best,
Alex

 

[ampguy]

I think his review is pretty good. Of course he's not going to recommend them, they're not made anymore, and he only makes money by recommending current stuff he can get affiliate revenues from.

It's like going to a Chevy dealer and asking what he thinks about Fords and vice versa, they're going to talk up what they're selling.

 

[Krosya]

I think his review is pretty good. Of course he's not going to recommend them, they're not made anymore, and he only makes money by recommending current stuff he can get affiliate revenues from.

It's like going to a Chevy dealer and asking what he thinks about Fords and vice versa, they're going to talk up what they're selling.

This is the best explanation of his so called review. Anyone who evr used Hexanons, Leica, Zeiss, Cosina and Vivitar lenses know actual truth. But hey - he says that Konica stuff is expensive now - maybe it's his way to bring prices down? I know what I know based on my experience and expeience othes that have actual credibility. Ken Rockwell is a business man first and photographer (maybe) second.

 

[archeophoto]

...and you have a problem with that? If yes, man, you live in the wrong country!
The term "photographer" is reduced nowadays to anybody holding a camera...

Ken Rockwell is a business man first and photographer (maybe) second.

 

[Archlich]

I just can't stand his statement about the craftmanship of the hexanons.

"Crude little things" he said!

 

[rwchisholm]

I've owned the 50 summicron (shot on my M8), and now a 50 f/2 hexanon on my M9 -- The hex stands on its own compared to the summi, no contest. Fantastic lens, fantastic value!

 

[kzphoto]

I'm under the impression he actually really likes them. He just wanted to keep the prices low low low. 🙂

Is there a 'Rockwell" effect?

 

[kevin m]

I think Ken Rockwell's site makes quite a refreshing change in a web full of boring reviews and dof charts. You have to take it with a large pinch of salt though. In fact, Ken even says this himself:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm

John

So true. In his own words:

While often inspired by actual products and events, just like any other good news organization, I love to stretch the truth if it makes an article more fun. In the case of new products, rumors and just plain silly stuff, it's all pretend. If you lack a good BS detector or sense of humor, please treat this entire site as a work of fiction.

😀