Konica M-Hexanon 50/2 - focus problems

ISO

ISO

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I am thinking about getting this lens, to complement my 35 UC-Hexanon. I already have a Jupiter 8 in the 50mm range, but still a more modern 50mm would be nice. So the M-Hexanon 50/2 is my first choice. Beside street photographie, I would like to use the M-Hexanon 50/2 for wide open portraiture. So far I only read good reviews about this lens, but now I ve found this site.

http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/siliceous/?p=53

..it more or less says that there can be focus problems wide open when the M-Hexanon (with KM mount) is attached to a Leica M-mount. which would make it useless for portraiture when mounted on my Bessa R2.

Can anyone of you report about this focus problems (wide open) as well ?

What is the pricerange for the M-Hexanon 50/2 ? I got a mint one, with box and papers, offered for $420.

I also would be interested how this lens compares to the CV Nokton, which is second on my list.

Thanks.
 
I have both the 50/2 Hexanon and the 50/1.5 CV Nokton. My R-D1 was calibrated for the 50 Nokton and focuses correctly wide open and up-close with both lenses. With the screwmount Nokton, you will probably have to make sure to get a quality LTM->M adapter. I've also used the Hexanon on an M6 and M7 and had no focusing problems. But maybe I was just lucky, dunno. Good luck in your research, I find both lenses amazing but the Nokton gets more use, probably due to its better speed. The Hexanons used to sell for about $350 but recently their price seems to have gone up. I would pay $420 for a mint specimen.
 
Your price seems right on the money. I use the Hexanon on my M5 a lot, and on the M7 sometimes. With either body I've not had any focus troubles. This really is a fantastic lens, quite the equal of the current Summicron in most respects. My only peeves are the filter size (mine came without a front cap- I had a long wait for a cap that fit as B&H was out of stock for a long time) and the knurling on the focus ring is a little sharper edged than any of my other lenses. Minor issues both.
 
Check out dantestella.com

Focusing problems of Hexanon lenses on Leica cameras are fundamentally BS put about by Leica fan boys. I have a 50 Hexanon and kept it in preference to a 50 summicron - there really isn't much in it, but I just prefer the Hex. It worked perfectly on my M6 and MP. It now works perfectly on my M8 and my R-D1.

It is much smaller than the Nokton 50 - I also have one of those - but the Nokton gives you an extra stop. Again there really isn't much in it - a different rendering. If I could only keep one 50 it would be the Hex.

As to price check out http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Konica-M-Hexa...9QQihZ001QQcategoryZ80416QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
- £195 approx for a new one. Also check out matsuiyastore on ebay - he sells them occasionally - actually has a 35 UC at the moment.
 
Thanks for your answers, so far. mmmh, seems like there is a good chance that there will be no focus problem. Will think about, if I will spent that money, but on the other side it will be hard to find it cheaper in that condition I guess. I was looking for this lens in this condition for a while now. Anybody knows, how much $ this lens was, when introduced on the market a couple years ago? Any other compareable lens to consider in the 50mm class ?
 
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$420 is an OK deal if it is in close to mint condition. It is a lot cheaper than a current version 'cron, which it is at least the equal of. The value of this lens surpasses the cost significantly.

Good luck with the decision.
 
The "Auspicious Dragon" article doesn't mention that many people, including myself, have experienced backfocusing w/a wide variety of lenses, including Leica lenses, on account of: (1) the M8's tighter tolerances compared to film bodies; & (2) "natural" sample variation between lenses. Thus, to the extent that it exists, the problem is not limited to Konica lenses.

My 50/2 M-Hexanon does backfocus a bit on my M8, along w/a few other lenses (some Leica, some not) that focus fine on my film bodies (including an M3, a 0.85 M6 TTL, & a 0.72 M7, so I'm fairly certain that the bodies aren't the issue). Since you're using a film body, I think the bottom line is you're unlikely to get any backfocusing, but even if you do, it won't be any worse than you would have gotten w/a Leica, Cosina Voigtlander, or Zeiss lens.

ISO said:
I am thinking about getting this lens, to complement my 35 UC-Hexanon. I already have a Jupiter 8 in the 50mm range, but still a more modern 50mm would be nice. So the M-Hexanon 50/2 is my first choice. Beside street photographie, I would like to use the M-Hexanon 50/2 for wide open portraiture. So far I only read good reviews about this lens, but now I ve found this site.

http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/siliceous/?p=53

..it more or less says that there can be focus problems wide open when the M-Hexanon (with KM mount) is attached to a Leica M-mount. which would make it useless for portraiture when mounted on my Bessa R2.

Can anyone of you report about this focus problems (wide open) as well ?

What is the pricerange for the M-Hexanon 50/2 ? I got a mint one, with box and papers, offered for $420.

I also would be interested how this lens compares to the CV Nokton, which is second on my list.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
The Current Summicron 50 is as close as you'll find- at twice the price minimum. I am hard pressed to (or can't) tell the difference between the two lenses in the print till I get up near 1620. Then the Summicron does look a little better.
 
hello ISO,

for your reference;
i bought my hexanon 50 in excellent condition w/ box papers etc for around US350 a year or so ago; i have not noticed any focus issues i can tell using it on my M4.

i got a pair of zeiss 40.5 filters for B/W from auction site, they are there, but you need patience. And it is not difficult to get off-brand hood or caps.

i bought also UC Hexanon 35 recently from the mentioned Japanese seller... it is a gem. i used Konica AR 28 and 40 for SLR before, too.

i suppose Konica had made many wonderful lens in its own right.
 
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I have owned two 50/2 M-Hexanons, and I experienced no focus problems with either. I sold my first one to Gene Wilburn, and I think he still owns it and loves it. I got a second one because, in retrospect, I think it is a better lens than the Summicron (better flare control), which I've also owned.
 
I have the Hex M 28, 50 and 90 lenses and also the 35 UC LTM. No problems with them on my M6ttl. What never ceases to amaze me is how beautifully built they are. When the Hexar RF kit was being sold in Australia, that is camera, 50/2 lens and flash in the plush red velvet box, the RRP was $A5495.
 
Congrats - a great lens. There have been a few back focus issues reported with more than the 50, but I have used several M-Hexanons and not had any focus problems at all. All are excellent lenses.
 
I've had focus issues with both my M-Hexanon (35 & 50) mounted on an M6. I hope you won't because they are still exceptional lenses.
 
peter_n said:
Congrats - a great lens. There have been a few back focus issues reported with more than the 50, but I have used several M-Hexanons and not had any focus problems at all. All are excellent lenses.
Click to expand...

My experience mirrors Peter's ... no focus problems on any of the hexanons on M6 or Bessa bodies.
 
I only have an M-Hexanon 90/2.8, which is harder to focus than a 50/2. Focus
on the M6 is absolutely spot on and it's an amazing lens.

furcafe said:
The "Auspicious Dragon" article doesn't mention that many people, including myself, have experienced backfocusing w/a wide variety of lenses, including Leica lenses, on account of: (1) the M8's tighter tolerances compared to film bodies; & (2) "natural" sample variation between lenses. Thus, to the extent that it exists, the problem is not limited to Konica lenses.
Click to expand...

This is very true, check out a thread a while back from Jorge using
all new lenses. I use film and have had back and front focus with a variety
of lenses. Another difference to the M8 is that it is much easier to
test focus issues digitally, of course.

Congrats on the 50 !

Roland.
 
ISO said:
Thanks for your answers, so far. mmmh, seems like there is a good chance that there will be no focus problem. Will think about, if I will spent that money, but on the other side it will be hard to find it cheaper in that condition I guess. I was looking for this lens in this condition for a while now. Anybody knows, how much $ this lens was, when introduced on the market a couple years ago? Any other compareable lens to consider in the 50mm class ?
Click to expand...

I purchased the Konica kit (body, 50mm lens, flash) as soon as it became available in Feb. 2000. The total package was 1950 USD. Don't know the cost, at the time, of the 50mm alone, but I subsequently bought (new) the 28mm for 860 USD.

I now use the 50mm routinely on my M7. I haven't noticed any focusing problem, but then I haven't done a systematic test wide open. I'll give it a try.

Harry
 
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