Konica M-Hexanon 50mm/f2

It's a great lens... a legitimate budget Summicron. I have a Hexanon 35/2 and it's my little gem.

Are you bidding on this one?
 
I'm sorely tempted, but I'm not. I have a 1949 Elmar f3.5, a current Elmar-M, and I'm about to get a Jupiter-8. That's more than enough 50mm's for me.

I have used the M-Hexanon 35mm and 90mm, so I'm familiar with both the optical and build quality of these lenses. Leica could learn from Konica...

I think many people don't know the heritage of Konica - back when, the Japanese govt. quality institute used to use Konica as the benchmark by which all other lenses were judged. They are superb.
 
I just received my copy of a Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 yesterday. I paid $315 for mine which I feel was a very acceptable price. I have yet to process a roll of film from it but I'm expecting better than acceptable results.
 
The absolute first thing that strikes you when you handle the lens is that it's HEAVY. It's a tiny little thing but is just shy of 1lb (something like 0.93lb on a calibrated scale we have here). Build quality seems to easily beat out the Leica 35mm Summicron I have, hands down. Focusing is buttery and the aperture ring is smooth and positive with tight action. Very well built little lens.
 
I like mine just fine, though my other 50s have gotten more use lately.

Sample...
 
I had the 35mm f/2 and liked it a lot, but I sold it in favor of the 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. I did a number of lens tests with them both, and the Leica was ahead, but not by much...other than the speed of course. The build quality was excellent, but different than Leica. Somehow I liked my 50mm summicron better than the handling on the 35, but I think I got lucky...
 
I also had the 35mm, but only briefly. Unfortunately I find tabbed lenses very awkward to use. I ended up with the CV f2.5 P1 which has a regular focusing ring.

I also had the 90mm and while I loved it, it was heavy and I wanted something a lot lighter to travel with. So I traded it and got a "thin" Tele-Elmarit which is perfect for me.
 
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