The different 35mm Hexar lenses

[dogbunny]

I have been considering getting a Hexar 35mm for my body. There seems to be 3 different versions: 35mm L-mount, the 35mm UC-Hexanon L-mount, and the 35mm M-mount. The UC seems to be the most different, with the coating and the different minimum focus difference. Are there any other differences to consider? Are the other two the same glass that is found in the Hexar AF? or is there some other difference besides the mount?

Thanks,

DB

 

[dogbunny]

bump ditty bump. I was reading that the m-mount 35mm is a reformulated version of the Hexar AF lens, thought I have no idea what that means.

 

[ferider]

The L, UC and Hexar AF lenses all have the same diagram. Might differ in coating, etc (The UC is the youngest). They are all derivatives of the classic S/LTM Nikkor 35/1.8 from the 50s. L and UC are LTM mount.

The M-mount Hex 35/2 is a more modern lens designed from scratch in the 90s (you can find patents for this, if interested). In contrast to L and UC it has 0.7m min. focus. The only relative wrt design and among Leica lenses is the Ultron 35/1.7 (replacing 2 spherical surfaces of the Hexanon with one asph).

Just in case: none of the lenses have anything to do with any Summicron 🙂

Roland.

 

[dogbunny]

Thanks, That clears some things up for me.

Cheers,

DB

 

[kuvvy]

I have the UC Hex and it's a super performer with nice bokeh. It's a lightweight lens with very clear markings. I've had mine almost a year but I'm considering selling it. I use it on an RD-1 and find it a tad long due to the crop factor making it 53mm. I have previously used a 28mm as my main lens.
I can heartily recommend the UC and were I shooting a full frame M9 or a film camera I would be more than happy to keep this beauty.

 

[sanmich]

I think Roland pretty much summarized it.

I would add that if you want to use an ltm body, the M is, of course, out of the race.
But if your body is M mount, the ltm versions have a limited min focus distance which I find ennoying on a wide.
OTOH, the M lens is much bigger and longer.
I think it was compared in size to the Lux asph.
the quality of the M mount is superb, and the bokeh supposed to be better than the ltm version.
I have the M version, and one way to limit the size is to use a generic (heavystar) wide hood, and not the original vented hood which is quite big.

 

[johannielscom]

Konica L-Hexanon 35/2.0: It has seven elements in six groups and at the time (1996) was said to be derived from a Xenotar design. Resembles the Nikkor-W 35/1.8 from 1958 (optically and size-wise, but not design)

The Konica Hexanon-UC 35/2.0 has also seven elements in six groups and all twelve glass to air surfaces coated (UC means Ultra Coating), is smaller than the L-Hex, takes 43mm filters and has a focus tab. Resembles the Summicron 35/2.0 pre-ASPH in size and design. Some claim results are similar looking, too.

Konica M-Hexanon 35/2.0: the M-Hexanon 35mm 2.0 (2001) has a different optical design altogether, eight elements in seven groups.

Info found here and here

 

[ferider]

Konica L-Hexanon 35/2.0: It has seven elements in six groups and at the time (1996) was said to be derived from a Xenotar design. Resembles the Nikkor-W 35/1.8 from 1958 (optically and size-wise, but not design)

The Konica Hexanon-UC 35/2.0 has also seven elements in six groups and all twelve glass to air surfaces coated (UC means Ultra Coating), is smaller than the L-Hex, takes 43mm filters and has a focus tab. Resembles the Summicron 35/2.0 pre-ASPH in size and design. Some claim results are similar looking, too.

Konica M-Hexanon 35/2.0: the M-Hexanon 35mm 2.0 (2001) has a different optical design altogether, eight elements in seven groups.

Info found here and here

Got to read up on your data, Johan. The UC has nothing to do with the Summicron as is evidenced by its barrel distortion, and the unique and huge duplet in the back, originally introduced with the Nikkor 35/1.8. See here: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hex352.html. Again, Hexar AF, UC and L-Hex all are sisters in design, and mostly differ in coating.

The Summicron pre-asph (which one do you mean, 8, 6 or 7 elements ?) is a clean double Gauss, in particular the 6 element v3 that I prefer, which is as symmetric as they come.

Roland.