Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Thanks again to FrankS for providing me with the Hexanon 40/1.8 and FS-1. This makes me think any LTM/M lenses I acquire should be Hex... Pan F+ in Rodinal 1:100.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
The 85/1.8 SLR lens is a killer.
raid
Dad Photographer
Is the FS-1 a Konica SLR camera?
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
All the Hexanon lenses I've used have been wonderful. In M and LTM mount, the ones I know of are listed here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexar_RF#Konica_M-Hexanon_lenses
(The link takes you to a list of the M-Hexanon lenses; scroll down for the LTM ones.)
...Mike
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexar_RF#Konica_M-Hexanon_lenses
(The link takes you to a list of the M-Hexanon lenses; scroll down for the LTM ones.)
...Mike
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
sshhh!....I don't want the price of those magnificent AR Hexanons to start rising! - there are still a few I'm looking for!
Dave.
Dave.
amateriat
We're all light!
It would likely be easier to list the Hexanons that aren't so good...if there are any. (I've yet to find any.)
And, if you think the FS-1 is nice, find a clean FT-1, which was sort of their swan-song in the SLR market.
- Barrett
And, if you think the FS-1 is nice, find a clean FT-1, which was sort of their swan-song in the SLR market.
- Barrett
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Seconded!, my black FT1 is my current favourite!...and in shutter priority mode...dead accurate!
Dave.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have a rather battered old Konica Auto Reflex half frame SLR ... the 57mm f1.4 Hexanon lens on that camera amazes me. Half frame or full frame that lens is absolutely superb!
Okay: for the Classic Konica SLR lenses:
The 50mm F1.7 is supposed to be the best of the normal lenses.
The 28mm F1.8 is unparalleled for fast wides for SLR's.
I use a 57mm F1.4 on my FT-1, which is good but not as good as the later lenses. I just like the look.
The 50mm F1.7 is supposed to be the best of the normal lenses.
The 28mm F1.8 is unparalleled for fast wides for SLR's.
I use a 57mm F1.4 on my FT-1, which is good but not as good as the later lenses. I just like the look.
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Keith - you would really like the 40mm f1.8 pancake, and if you see an FT1 - the last Konica SLR....GRAB!...they are still silly cheap!
Dave.
pesphoto
Veteran
i just picked up the 57mm 1.4, cant wait to give it a try, also have 50mm 1.7 and 40mm 1.8. THe 40mm is excellent and i use it all the time. nAlso got a 28mm i havent tried yet. FS-1 is my body
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
I reckon the prices will start to rise now! 
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think it's the look of my 57mm 1.4 that impresses me also ... the OOF areas are very nice!
peter_n
Veteran
Hexanon has always been of the highest quality. During their production heyday years the Hexanon lenses were used by the Japanese Ministry of Industry as the reference standard by which the quality of all other manufacturers' lenses were judged. They did this through the NGO Japan Camera Inspection Institute (JCII) directed by Kinji Moriyama, an MP and Cabinet Minister. The organization no longer exists now that the design and manufacture of optics has become globalized.
If you like the 40/1.8, go for a 50/1.7. Not a 50/1.8.
The tests of the 50/1.7 "blew away" the 40/1.8 "in the day". I have the 40/1.8. Nice lens.
The tests of the 50/1.7 "blew away" the 40/1.8 "in the day". I have the 40/1.8. Nice lens.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
In my reading I surmised the 50/1.7 was near the top of the heap. I'm also intrigued by the 57/1.4, and not just due to it's speed. I've alwas thought that a slightly long normal, ~60mm, would be nice. 75mm is fine, but sometimes slightly too narrow, while 100 is too long quite often, even though I love the Zuiko 100/2.8.
I like the slightly longer focal length of the 5.8cm F1.4 and 55/1.2 on my Nikons. The 57/1.4 Hexanon reminds me of the Nikkor 5.8cm, lower contrast than many lenses.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Brian, that sounds très interessant. The 40 seems to be higher contrast, and I attribute being able to "get away with" using PanF+ to Rodinal 1:100 stand. The 57 might really shine in situations where there are more than 8 or so stops of brightness, e.g., sunlight streaming through forest, deep shadows in urban ally ways, etc.
murpograph
Established
According to my experience the 1,4/50 is almost as good as the 1,7/50 and much sharper than the older 1,4/57. Not as easy and cheap to find as the 1,7 but despite this in most cases a bargain.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
There's a 50/1.4? Off to evil bay search ...