Konica Hexanon 35mm on M6, any experience here

martin-f5 said:
High,

has anyone here some experience with the Konica 35mm on a Leica M6?

Some people say it doesn't fit very well, is that true?

Best regards
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "fit"? I use it on a MP and it fits fine. 🙂


🙂
 
Martin I have used three Hexanon-M lenses; 28, 35, and 90. I still have the 28. I've had no problems with focus issues with any of my Hexanon-M lenses. Attached is a pic from my 28mm that I've posted here before (sorry everyone) taken wide-open at f2.8 and at closest focus. Apologies for the blown highlights in the sky I'm a poor scanner.
 
Mr. Puts and the 0.09mm difference

Mr. Puts and the 0.09mm difference

I think the question about the Hexanon lenses "working" or "fitting" on Leica M bodies comes from some tiny difference between Leica and Hexanon lenses. I read somewhere (on the internet) that the Hexanon lenses varied by 0.09mm from the Leica lenses. I apologize, but I really don't remember what all this means. Perhaps it's only something that can be detected in the lab?

So, the Hexanon lenses produce acceptable results on a Leica M body?
 
Yes they do Wayne. Go over to photo.net and type "hexanon focus" into the search engine. The majority experiance is that Hexanon-M lenses work fine on Leica M bodies. I have used my 28mm on my 3 M bodies and so far no focus problems at all. I used a 90mm for a year - no problems, a 35mm for 2 weeks also with no problems. All anecdotal but there are a lot of anecdotes that point in the same direction.

You are correct about the sample variance. As I recall it had to do with sample variance in both the Konica lenses and the Leica bodies, not just Konica. In everyday practical shooting most people have had no problems whatsoever.

The really sad thing is that these Konica lenses are no longer made. The good news is that there are 5 Hexanons on sale at the auction site right now! 😀 Take a look at the 35/2 that Martin is considering. Is that a beaut or what? 😎
 
peter_n said:
Yes they do Wayne. Go over to photo.net and type "hexanon focus" into the search engine. The majority experiance is that Hexanon-M lenses work fine on Leica M bodies. I have used my 28mm on my 3 M bodies and so far no focus problems at all. I used a 90mm for a year - no problems, a 35mm for 2 weeks also with no problems. All anecdotal but there are a lot of anecdotes that point in the same direction.

You are correct about the sample variance. As I recall it had to do with sample variance in both the Konica lenses and the Leica bodies, not just Konica. In everyday practical shooting most people have had no problems whatsoever.

The really sad thing is that these Konica lenses are no longer made. The good news is that there are 5 Hexanons on sale at the auction site right now! 😀 Take a look at the 35/2 that Martin is considering. Is that a beaut or what? 😎
Click to expand...

Peter is absolutely right on this ... all the Hexanon-m lenses fit just fine on M bodies. Variances occur in Leica bodies as well, just ask DAG or Krauter 🙂

Someone started this erroneous compatibility problem in the US market (as noted by Karen Nakamura, Japanese users of hexanon-m lenses never complained about it on their M bodies).

I have owned/used the 50/2, 28/2.8, 90/2.8 hexanons on M6TTL, and THEY ALL WORK GREAT ... sorry to shout, but I hate seeing this oft-repeated erroneous rumor :angel:

In fact, I would have to say that Konica hexanons are very much the equal of my Leica lenses, both in terms of sharpness and quality. And if bokeh is important to you, hexanons all have high number of blades and very very smooth renditions.

Peter rightly notes that it is highly unfortunate that these lenses are no longer made.
 
I have 4 Hexanon lenses that I use on my Konica, M6, M2 and various Bessas. My experience is that any compatability issues between the Hexanon lenses and Leica bodies are a result of specific lens/body combinations and are not global as some "articles" might indicate. If you should encounter an issue it is easily fixed. BTW...I have yet to have a problem. The Hexanons are really great and represent an unequaled value.

Bob
 
rover said:
When Francisco wakes up he is going to tell you he loves his Konica 35/2 and it works perfectly on his two M6s.
Click to expand...

Indeed, it works very, extremely well! 🙂

After some eloquent postings above, I see no reason to add more to the matter. Only one thing: apparently, there were some initial issues, but Konica fixed them as they came out. It's also worth noting that their mount has the KM moniker: it fits Konicas and Leicas. The only "problem" I've had is that my rangefinder lines, when using my Hexanon, do not quite line up at infinite. However, all the pictures done that way, even with the lens open, have turned up fine. DAG can fix the problem, but I'm not willing to give up my Hexanon, not even for a few days.
 
Thanks, everyone! I'm glad I asked the question. I'm even more glad that you all have cleared the air of another malicious internet myth.

Thanks, y'all.
 
For more about the Konica/Leica compatibility issue:

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

Of my trio of M-Hexanon glass (28/50/90), only the 50 has been used (briefly) on an M3 with no apparent trouble. Converesly, I've used a 3.5cm Summaron on one of my Hexar RFs more extensively without incident. Except for a few early production examples, this is generally a non-issue. The M-Hex glass is phenomenal.


- Barrett
 
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