Konica S2 - is the Hexanon something special?

[daveywaugh]

I have been using my S2 on and off for about a year. Usually just some crappy colour 400 neg, or the odd 400CN (which I actually like very much). Most of the pics are just fun snaps - my 3 year old son, etc but I have to say I am constantly amazed by the Hexanon 45 f1.8!

Is there something special about this lens or am I just dreaming? I can't explain it, but my colour seems almost 3D with a kind of slightly cross processed effect. I use different film, different labs and even different scanners or printing... everything seems to have the really distinct personality however so I can only attribute it to the lens.

I did search the treads and other sites, and certainly people like the lens but is there a special reason for this? Unique coatings or element structure?? Just would love to know more about it because I am loving it! 🙂 It's a kind of clunky camera with not ideal ergonomics, but flawless in it's operation and with a unique lens signature IMO.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Krosya]

Hexanons have that special magic that Leica doesnt want anyone to know about. 😉 I have Konica S (as well as M-Hexanons) and all of them keep me very happy!

Check out my old thread about Konica S here

 

[Peter_Jones]

I have an S2 with dodgy slow shutter speeds, not used it much yet but it holds shadow detail very well. Currently loaded with Delta 400 and will be used solely for the next 2 weeks for Keith's one camera one lens challenge. Should give me a chance to see how well it performs. 🙂

 

[FallisPhoto]

I bought a Konica Auto S on ebay a little over a week ago. It hasn't arrived yet though. Looks like it's in pretty good shape mechanically, just really nasty (the previous owner apparently never washed his hands). Once I've CLAd and restored it, I hope it works as well as yours does.

 

[BillBingham2]

Konica has made some glass that is secretly some of the best out there.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

I value excellent lenses on RF cameras, and it should be not be a surprise that I one day also discovered the Hexanon lenses on the Konica RF cameras. I have the Auto S, S2, and S3. The S has been twice repaired, and it has to go back for a third repair soon. The earlier Konica RF models were more Leica like in built. The Konica I, II, III, and IIIM form my other Konica group of RF cameras. The VF on the IIIM is 100%.

I have used Fuji Reala and Fuji Superior 400 (Walgreens 400 film) for an excellent match with the older lenses on the Konica RF cameras.

 

[Peter_Jones]

I keep pondering the possibility of hacking a flrf lens (minus shutter) into ltm/m mount. There are several of this type of camera with very good lenses.

 

[raid]

Peter,
How would you go about doing this task?
I would love to have a Hexanon lens as LTM.

 

[kuzano]

Aaah...Hexanon glass....

Aaah...Hexanon glass....

Probably the nicest piece of news about the Koni Omega Press cameras. The rapid transport back and the Hexanon glass made the Koni Omega press camera's one of the fine secrets of Wedding and Press photojournalists who discovered them in the 60's. The down side was the faulty film transport, which if used abusively, developed frame alignment issues. Many photographers really hammered the rapid transport system. It was unigue when running well. But the lens quality was phenomenal.

I used a model 100 for some wonderful shots (6X7cm). The 200 had mid-roll back change capabilities, and a great range of lenses.

SLR Hexanons are also reputed to be very good, as well as the Konica cameras.

 

[raid]

I have the Koni Omega-M with the 90mm lens. At one stage, I laso had the 58mm and the 180mm lenses. They are very sharp indeed, and yes, the frames can overlap.

 

[Peter_Jones]

Peter,
How would you go about doing this task?
I would love to have a Hexanon lens as LTM.

I dunno - probably rig something up out of a broken FSU I-22 or I-61 or similar (if the throw was the same). Bear in mind I've not successfully hacked any lens so far, however i have a few broken cameras (Oly trip, Yashica "J" etc) that would make good projects 🙂

 

[daveywaugh]

Thanks for the info. I have posted a few pics - now I know they aren't exactly works of art ;-) but I think they highlight what I was trying to describe (although tell me if you think I am kidding myself!) It's not that I am unhappy with pics from my other 35mm cameras - FE2, RC35, F100... I am just amazed at how 'different' the Hexanon is.

Can you sort of see what I mean about a slight cross-processing? I'd think it was just the processing or scanning if I didn;t use different labs/scanners.

 

[daveywaugh]

Here are a couple with 400CN. Even in B&W, there's still some kind of 3D thing happening to me... gee I hope I am not just going crazy 🙂 Maybe I shouldn't post pics and just be happy in my own mind! lol.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Konica has made some glass that is secretly some of the best out there.

Their SLR lenses are very good; some are dirt cheap.
It's too bad their SLR cameras weren't as well-made.

Chris

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Konica S2 lens is one of the best that you will find on a Fixed lens RF. The Minolta Hi-Matic 9 is also first-rate. Those are the two sharpest fixed-lens RF's that I have.

 

[raid]

Brian,
I nearly bought a Hi-Matic 9 for $45.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I paid $79 for my Hi-Matic 9. In 1969. That was a lot of lawn-mowing back then!

 

[mactansblue]

I just won one on Bay for $.99. plus $9.00 shipping for a cool $10.00 we shall see if she works. Randy

 

[raid]

Randy,
Thanks for letting us know. I offered $25 plus shipping yesterday,and the seller refused to sell.

 

[mactansblue]

same seller ? The seller I won from is in PA. Randy