Konica 35/2 M-Hexanon backfocus

[horosu]

I am quite attracted by this lens, however I am hesitant due to reading some accounts of backfocus on Leica M bodies. Maybe this didn't matter very much on film bodies, however what is your experience with this lens on M9? Is the focus perfect where it is meant to be? Any hassles about coding?

What about its ergonomics: is it easy to change aperture with one finger?

Thank you, Horea

P.S I posted this also on the M8/9 forum.

 

[Koni Kowa]

Ergonomics are excellent in my opinion. It's not the tiniest 35/2 lens ever and this is exactly why I loved mine. Never had any focusing issue on the Zeiss Ikon. Konica lenses focusing issues seem a legend to me, invented by Leica fans to discredit Konica products who were just as good as Leica's but way cheaper. I've read this many times but never seen a single proof, and I have used a M-Hexanon 50/2 on a Leica M2 too : it was certainly as good as a modern Summicron.

 

[scorpius73]

I have the Konica 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses. I have never had focusing issues with mine either. I have used mine on a Leica M2, M6 and a Zeiss Ikon ZI.

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

Same here! No problems with the four I own.

Regards,

Lou

 

[brbo]

Only one 50/2 here. It was relatively cheap because it had a ding in the hood so I went for it although I knew it may not focus correctly. Focus (backfocus) was WAY off on M8 and M6. Ok, on M6 if you were half blind and only shot it stopped down, one could say it was an OK lens but no Summicron (just like the word on the internet, right). Sent it to W. van Manen for adjustment. I think it will be worth the cost because if I manually corrected for backfocus this lens was VERY sharp. Less contrast than some modern Zeiss and Leica lenses I tried but very sharp.

 

[horosu]

Did you get it back from Will van Manen? Did he manage to adjust focusing on M bodies?

I think that a digital sensor should really reveal its real/lack of backfocus but it would be very encouraging to know that this can be fixed.

Thank you, Horea

Only one 50/2 here. It was relatively cheap because it had a ding in the hood so I went for it although I knew it may not focus correctly. Focus (backfocus) was WAY off on M8 and M6. Ok, on M6 if you were half blind and only shot it stopped down, one could say it was an OK lens but no Summicron (just like the word on the internet, right). Sent it to W. van Manen for adjustment. I think it will be worth the cost because if I manually corrected for backfocus this lens was VERY sharp. Less contrast than some modern Zeiss and Leica lenses I tried but very sharp.

 

[menos]

Horea, don't worry about Konica lenses back focussing issues, some mention.
Yes, some do, but it's a very small fix with such a lens with a good technician and it will focus perfectly on any camera, it is calibrated to.

I have so far only experienced this with one lens - a Konica Hex dual 21-35, which after I adjusted it for use on the digital M focusses absolutely perfect and is a joy to use.

I have now also a new 35/2 on order and am curious, how this one will be calibrated.
according to what I have seen with the 21-35 it makes sense to me, that Konica calibrated their RF lenses, to give best results with their Hexar bodies on film, which is in fact slightly different from using these Konica calibrated lenses on Leica digital bodies with their perfectly even, not bowing sensor surface.

 

[ChrisC]

..... a digital sensor should really reveal its real/lack of backfocus but it would be very encouraging to know that this can be fixed.........

Sensors do indeed, and Hex-M lenses can be adjusted.

For those interested, Dante Stella is always a good read, and there's interesting perspective on the whole Hexar/Leica standards here :

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexarrf.html

................ Chris

 

[Krosya]

When I had one - mine didnt have any issues with either film or RD1S cameras:

 

[brbo]

Did you get it back from Will van Manen? Did he manage to adjust focusing on M bodies?

I think that a digital sensor should really reveal its real/lack of backfocus but it would be very encouraging to know that this can be fixed.

Thank you, Horea

Sorry, I didn't see your post before. Yes, I got the lens back and it now focuses correctly on my M8.2 and M6.

 

[menos]

A small update - I just received a brand new in box UC-Hexanon 35/2 LTM.
It focusses spot on with the M9 - lovely little lens, will be glued to this camera and a film body the next weeks ;-)