Konica Fast Lenses: M-Hexanon 50mm f1.2 and 60mm f1.2

[Erik L]

is the 60mm focal length easy to get along with?

 

[Hacker]

is the 60mm focal length easy to get along with?

Yes, as I use the 50mm framelines. The f1.2 I feel is easier to use and sharper though.

 

[flip]

I can't speak to the M8, but I have tried to use it on the R-D1. I think that one would have to use a magnifier to focus at 1.2. As far as LTM cameras, I'm testing it presently on various Japanese barnacks and a 3L as I suspect the P also has an inadequate baselength.

 

[adrianzg]

lovely kids.

 

[Doug]

Can any owners suggest with what LTM to M adapter the 60/1.2 will best focus on the M8.2?

Hi -- The main issue is quality machining on the adapter, with correct thickness. The ones sold by CameraQuest are very good.

You'll probably want to choose an adapter that brings up the 50/75mm framelines... just a matter of convenience as this has no effect on focus.

 

[TWoK]

Wow, those lenses, like all Konica lenses I've used are superb.

 

[flip]

I've also found that it's easy to front-focus the 60. I'm trying it out now with a megaperls on the hexar to see how much is me and how much is adapter....

 

[Hacker]

I should update this thread with the M9... .

 

[Hacker]

Finally, rounded up the usual suspects today and managed to fire off a few shots of the 60mm with the M9:

All shots at widest aperture....

 

[Hacker]

And a group shot....

 

[flip]

It's a fun lens and I dig the colors it presents. I only regret that most LTM cameras don't have a rf baselength to make me confident of focus at 1.2.

 

[yanidel]

Together with the 35 Lux, the 60mm Hex is the lens I use most on my M9. It fits perfectly the 50mm framelines at mid distances. Obviously, focusing must be very precise, but ones gets use to it and the short focus throw helps. Though it is 1.2, the 60mm result in a DOF that is about equal to the Nocti at F1.0. Here are a few shots taken with it :

 

[Hacker]

yanidel, what do you manually set the Hex 60mm as in terms of coding?

 

[Damaso]

Lovely images!

 

[WilliamK]

So beautiful, I wish I had one... or at least the cash to afford one

 

[Krosya]

While i'd like to try Hex 60/1.2 one day, I use Hex 50/1.2 now. Here are a few from it:

 

[wjlapier]

Hacker, I love how you capture your children. Keep snapping away. They grow up fast.

Can someone remind me how much these lenses sell for these days? I'm considering the 50 lux asph.

 

[yanidel]

Hacker, mine is not coded and I don't use the manual lens selection option. I just like the look unaltered. When vignetting wide open bothers me, I correct it after the fact.

Wjlapier, th 60mm goes between €1600-€2000 on Ebay, basically the range of a used 50 Lux Asph. What you get extra with the Hex is the aberrations at F1.2 that make its great signature and a Depth of Field like the Nocti. Starting at F1.4, it is very sharp and modern. Probably very similar to the Lux.

 

[valdas]

amazing pictures, i like your colors very much... i never shot digital, but this makes me want M9...

Together with the 35 Lux, the 60mm Hex is the lens I use most on my M9. It fits perfectly the 50mm framelines at mid distances. Obviously, focusing must be very precise, but ones gets use to it and the short focus throw helps. Though it is 1.2, the 60mm result in a DOF that is about equal to the Nocti at F1.0. Here are a few shots taken with it :

 

[Hacker]

On the M8, I had a spare coded adapter set as the ASPH Lux (not that it needed much correction anyway). For the shots above, i set it as the Noct f/1.2. Cannot really tell much of a difference except in really low light. I assume the vignetting I saw under those conditions were due to the M8 (the few lenses that I have tested with the M9 had vignetting also).

Still struggling with using LR2 that came with the M9.

Hacker, I see no discernable light fall-off / vignetting, particularly in this shot. Is your lens coded to the M9 or did you even out the corners in post?

Yanidel, I sense your style involves a deliberate increase in vignetting which works well for you.

Since August I have used the CV 35/1.2 and the Hex 60/1.2 together on a pair of M8.2's. This is my essential low light kit and has served me well on holiday this past week. I use the 1.25x VF magnifier with the 35/1.2 and the 1.4x version with the 60/1.2. Of late I have tried these lenses a few times with my M6's and I am also pleased with their performance on film.

--Steve