Konica LTM Konica 50/2.4 LTM?

Konica M39 lenses
ravid905 said:
I know Erwin Puts did a test with it quite a while ago on his site comparing it with the modern 50 2.8 Elmar, and if I am not mistaken it was similar in some respects, better in others. I can't find that specific page on his site anymore since the changes were made, maybe someone can give something more definitive than I. If someone has tested the Heliar and an Elmar, they may be able to give some answers in that regard.

As far as places to buy one, since they are rare and collectibles, they sometimes end up in the hands of those who will charge more than something may be worth on an open market. Two sellers, Matsuiyastore (http://stores.ebay.ca/Matsuiyastore_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm) and jiri_e (http://shop.ebay.ca/merchant/jiri_e_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ) might be your best bet to get it at good prices, but will likely take time and patience. I believe Jiri has sold them in the past and I know I have seen them at Matsuiyastore for sure.
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It is still on his site, I have copied/pasted it as follows:

Hexanon 2,4/50.
This collapsible lens couples with the M rangefinder. Collimator checks show an excellent performance with accurate coupling.
This lens has a bit loose tube, which flaws its performance. My comments are based on the correct positioning of the tube. At 2,4 a high contrast overall image combines with a crisp rendition of quite fine detail over most of the image area. At f/2,8 the image improves very much an now exceedingly fine detail is rendered clearly on axis and in the field. Corners stay weak as is natural. Stopping down improves a bit, but the excellent performance holds till about f/8.
In comparison the Elmar-M 2.8/50 at full aperture is a shade softer and extremely fine detail is clearly rendered.The outer zones however are visibly softer. Stopping down the Elmar becomes the equal of the Hexanon, but at 2.8 the Hexanon is indisputably the winner. If its mechanical parts were improved. Here we have a lens that challenges the classical and redesigned Tessar design.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']The Hexanon 2,4/50 is a 6 element lens and a complicated proposition. Any lens with a collapsible mount is difficult to manufacture and the mechanical play in the lens I used may not be typical. I made my comments based on the optimum position and assuming that quality control will tighten up, it has the potential to be one of the first contemporary lenses to be a threat to a Leica lens. Its optimum performance at f/2,8 is simply better than the Elmar-M 2.8/50 and even at its worst setting would kill the older version of the Elmar.[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']End of quote.[/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']It is indeed avery good lens.[/FONT]
 
Does anyone here who actually owns this lens find that the barrel has some play in it?

Is the Hexanon 50/2.4 a modern formulation of a Tessar-type design, or a different beast altogether?

Does anyone know how close it focuses, and what the filter size is?

::Ari
 
Filter size is 40.5 same as the 50 M Hex. Close focus is 0.8metre. No barrell wobble on mine. After my Hex 35UC this is my most used lens. It has serious sex appeal when attached to a chrome body M6. Love it.
 
FWIW, I decided to pick up the Hexanon that Matsuiya Store was selling on eBay. Just started shooting a test roll, so no real results yet, but I can say that the build quality seems to be just a notch below my old chrome Elmar-M (modern, recently discontinued, version), i.e., solid but not as hefty. This is probably because it appears to be a chrome finished alloy (slightly warmer color than Leica chrome, a bit more like the "champagne" titanium finish on a Kyocera Contax G2), similar to a black "chrome" finished Leica lens, rather than an old-school chrome on brass construction. Ergonomically, I find it to be close to the Elmar-M, as far as I remember. Rather than a focus ring w/a knurled edge like the Elmar-M, it has a focus tab, though I haven't had a problem being able to grip & focus using the bare ring, either.
 
furcafe said:
FWIW, I decided to pick up the Hexanon that Matsuiya Store was selling on eBay. Just started shooting a test roll, so no real results yet, but I can say that the build quality seems to be just a notch below my old chrome Elmar-M (modern, recently discontinued, version), i.e., solid but not as hefty. This is probably because it appears to be a chrome finished alloy (slightly warmer color than Leica chrome, a bit more like the "champagne" titanium finish on a Kyocera Contax G2), similar to a black "chrome" finished Leica lens, rather than an old-school chrome on brass construction. Ergonomically, I find it to be close to the Elmar-M, as far as I remember. Rather than a focus ring w/a knurled edge like the Elmar-M, it has a focus tab, though I haven't had a problem being able to grip & focus using the bare ring, either.
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Hi,

I would be interested in seeing some shots taken with the collapsible Hexanon. Do you have anything to share?
 
As far as handling & build quality, see my post #27. Nothing has changed.

As far as signature, I've yet to come to any conclusions or opinions. Seems fine so far.

Value for money? @ least as much as the 50/2.8 Elmar-M it replaced, probably more since it's slightly faster & I can use it on my LTM bodies.

meven said:
Thanks, it looks pretty good. So what are you thoughts on the lens (handling, built quality, signature, value for money, etc...)?
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Heliar classic is well built (better than Leica's counterpart I've been told by those in the know), but the images are an acquired taste. Also, the close focus leaves much to be desired. The weight/compactness of that lens makes it very useful for low light shots I thought. Ended up using my own in partial trade for a 50 'lux. Never looked back on that deal. I'd save the money for the konica. If it's anything like the other KM lenses, it should be a winner. I own the 50 f2, 35UC and 90 2.8. Love 'em all.
 
Old thread, but I'll share some thoughts as I've been watching the 2.4 and heliar recently in Japan. I passed on a $400 2.4 and saw a few similarly priced heliars. The guy at Matsuiyastore (and what a store it is!) told me that he feels $390 is about right for the 2.4, but he sells on consignment, so prices are not always his choice. I inquired about the arigatougozaimasu items as well and they are sold-out as one would expect.
 
Gary Sandhu said:
So I found it here http://www.matsumoto-camera.com/
so how do I go about buying it. I suppose I'll call and hopefully they'll speak English. Anyone have one for sale here?
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They do speak english, dont take credit cards , just bank transfers and btw, all items with red written across - are sold. So it looks like Hexanons 50/2.4 are gone. But you can call and check.
 
Got one last week for 42000 yen, new. No barrel play. Only issue is the 'cuff' that protects the rear element is a bit excessive. Bumps into the internals of my LTM copies. Slightly. I've seen one used one go a little lower, but this lens seems to hold value at auction. Looking forward to seeing the results when I can shoot it some more.
 
You figure he's in the same boat (and town) as me. He hunts, finds, bids, and then has to pay for shipping in Japan, bank transfer fees, paypal fees with currency conversion (extra) if I sell to the states. It adds up. I'll keep an eye out, but I waited for a good deal on mine for several months.
 
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