Konica 28mm f2.8 and 35mm f2 KM.

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Paul Jones

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Hi, New to this forum, what i wanted to know is, can you tell me how these two lenses perfom, as i have the chance to purchase them new. Not sure if they still make them. The shop sells second hand camera's, and lenses, with a few new items. I was told they were made about 6 years ago. they are complete in box with leather case, vented lens hood, with a price of £495 each. I intend to use them on the new Leica M8. Many Thanks
 
Paul,

I own the Hexanon 28/2.8 (was lucky enough to find a new one for EUR 375) and I love it. It is exceptionally well built and the optics are excellent. I do not think you can go wrong with it. Only thing I do not like about it is the hood; you can not screw it on, but it kind of clips on; so it is easier to loose.
 
Konica lenses

Konica lenses

Thanks Peter, Have been wanting a digital rangefinder for a long time now did try the Epson RD1 but it had too many problems frame lines out and hot pixels had 3 off them but they all had to go back. I can just about afford the new leica M8 body but not the Leica lens too so thanks for the information. PS can only afford one lens and think the 35 f2 would be best to start off with.
 
The hood on my Hexanon 28/2.8 screws on. I like this lens a lot too.

/Håkan

Peter S said:
Paul,

I own the Hexanon 28/2.8 (was lucky enough to find a new one for EUR 375) and I love it. It is exceptionally well built and the optics are excellent. I do not think you can go wrong with it. Only thing I do not like about it is the hood; you can not screw it on, but it kind of clips on; so it is easier to loose.
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Yes, both these lenses are terrific -- I'm fortunate enough to have them. Go ahead and buy them with no concerns. The hoods on both screw in.
 
The Konica Hexanon 35/2 KM is a real bargain and a good performer. It's incredibly sharp even wide open. I got mine used and will not sell it ever; for the price you pay you receive a very good lens.

Just be aware that there's a small, very small incompatibility at infinite. At least in mine, when I focus on infinity, the patch doesn't quite align like it does with all my Leica lenses. However, my photos shot at infinity, even wide open, have not shown any focusing problems. Some day I'll send my lens to DAG (a repair person here in the US) to have it fixed, but in the meanwhile, this circunstance has never bothered me greatly.

Just in case you think you're having backfocusing problems... You won't. And these lenses are excellent! :)
 
I have both as well. Excellent lenses. Excellent build. Sharp. IMO, images from the Hex lenses have a definite/different look from what I was used to (Leica, CV, Canon lenses). If you can get one at a decent price do it.
 
Seems expensive to me. 495 US$ or Euro would probably be more like it but then the UK always seems a bit pricey for Leica related stuff. I'd consider looking further.

I have not used either of those lenses but I have the Konica 50mm f2 KM and it is a beautiful lens in both image quality and construction.
 
Welcome to the forum Paul! :) As the comments above indicate, these M-Hexanon lenses are optically excellent with absolutely outstanding build quality. I have used the 35 and the 90 and still have the 28, which I love and would not exchange for any Leica equivalent.

As Andy mentions the price does seem a little high. £495 equates to US$925 and you may be able to do a little better. Maybe the prices on these lenses are creeping up since they are no longer made. There is a used 28 on eBay for a BIN price of £403 from shphoto (who advertise on this forum) but I think they have high-end prices. My 28 was used from a forum member and cost US$500. Maybe the shop will have a little wiggle room on the price if you mention you've seen lower prices from Germany... ;) Another ploy would be to put out a WTB (want to buy) post here and on the Leica forum at photo.net and also the German Leica forum. You may get lucky!

When you get one of these lenses I can assure you of one thing - you will love it! :D
 
Konica lens

Konica lens

Many Thanks Peter, The guy in the shop told me the lens was brand new, and about 6 years old, complete in its box, with all the bits case lens hood. He sells mostly second hand leica cameras, rolliflex, voitlander, ect. He did say that if i purchased the two lenses, the 28mm f2.8 and the 35mm f2, that he would give me a discount of £50 so he may move a little on price for just the 35mm f2. Its all i can afford at the moment, with the cost of the M8 at £2,999 uk my credt card will be maxed out.
I have a Canon 1Dmk2 and find i miss so many photo opp when out and about because its just too big and heavy to lug around all the time. It is a very good tool though and i need it for my other photo work. Once again Many Thanks
 
Those prices are similar to Zeiss ZM prices new. Never used them but at 500 quid a pop they do not represent a bargain IMO. Good lenses I am sure and in one comparison between the 50 Hex and 50 Summicron the reviewer thought the Hex was better built (but not quite so good).

Might be better to wait for some used Zeiss ZM lenses. You can buy a new ZM 35 Biogon for $800 from popflash.com in teh US......
 
Thanks Turtle, well thats got me thinking, Thought a new Zeiss lens would have been more expensive that that. Think i will have to shop around first, the Zeiss sounds like a good buy from what i have read about it on the internet.
 
Paul Jones said:
they are complete in box with leather case, vented lens hood, with a price of £495 each. I intend to use them on the new Leica M8.
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For price comparison, there's a Hexanon KM 90/2.8 - mint condition and complete with box and leather pouch - for sale at eBay for EUR 300.

It has been up for sale more than once with no buyer interest so far:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280036449334&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

The same seller also had a Hexanon KM 28/2.8 for sale at the same price, and it did not sell either.

In general, I would expect a used Hexanon lens to fetch a price of something netween half and one third of a brand new equivalent Zeiss lens.

Best of luck.
 
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