KONICA M HEXANON 50mm F2
A review and Photo example of the HEXANON 50mm / F2 with Film camera and Digital cmaera.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The sample photo were taken with :
- HEXAR-RF +FUJIFILM ACROSS 100 B&W
- LEICA M8
1．Overview
The Hexanon 50mm F2 is a standard lens compatible with Leica M-mount that was released at the same time as the Hexar RF in 1999.
Its main features are a Gaussian lens configuration of 6 elements in 5 groups, a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m, aperture value of F2 to F16, 10 aperture blades, filter diameter of 40.5mm, and a hood built into the lens barrel.
For a detailed explanation of the lens, please refer to the lens technical report distributed by Konica.
2．Usability
It is a lens that can be used universally regardless of whether it is digital or digital. As you can see from the sample, it takes good pictures even at the widest aperture. Although it is not high contrast, it can be used for both distant and close-up shots, and the natural softness of the foreground and background bokeh and the texture that expresses the subject are satisfactory.
The exterior is metal and has a certain weight, and the helicoid rotates smoothly. The aperture click feeling is also solid, so there are no complaints overall. In addition, there is no sense of incongruity when attached to M-type Leica cameras, as well as M-type Leica compatible cameras such as the EPSON R-D1 and BESSA series.
The lens hood is used by pulling it out from the lens barrel, and there is no locking mechanism for the pulled-out hood. There are types that can be locked, such as the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH., but whether or not to lock it is a matter of preference.
The locking type has an elaborate gimmick and can be said to be a costly construction.
3．Summary
In conclusion, To sum up the KONICA M HEXANON 50mm F2 can be said to be a flawless and safe lens. It is symbolized by its moderate design and moderate depiction that does not feel out of place when attached to any camera.
It is difficult to find words to describe the characteristics of this lens.
If you are only looking for Konica M mount lenses and do not care about other companies, it is the most compact lens in the KM series and a necessary lens. Since the KM-HEXANON 50mm F1.2 is at the top, it is also an option if you do not care about size and price.
In the 50mm standard lens market, where there are many strong competitors, it feels difficult to survive without some kind of individuality. There are so many lenses with the 50mm specification that have been released, and even if you limit the maximum aperture to F2, you can choose from them all.
Specification and Competitor
The lens design and structure are very similar to the 4th generation Summicron-M 50mm F2.
The lens design has in common the incorporation of a hood, and the filter diameter is slightly different, Konica 40.5mm, Leica 39mm.
The lens structure uses almost the same six glass elements, and while the Hexanon has three independent front elements with air surfaces, the Summicron has two of the three front elements glued together, the second and third lens.
It is interesting to note that although there is a difference of about 20 years between the release of the two lenses, they are almost identical lenses when designed with the same lens specifications.
The reason why the Hexanon 50mm F2 looks like a copy of the well-established Summicron is that it was designed conservatively, with an eye on the bright 50mm F1.2 that was released later.
The figure below is a comparison between the Hexanon 50mm and the Summicron 50mm (4th generation).
- The lens construction diagrams are quoted from each company’s materials, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.
| Item | M HEXAMON | SUMMICRON M 4th |
| focal length(mm) | 50 | 50 |
| Maximum aperture | 2 | 2 |
| Minimum aperture | 16 | 16 |
| Leaf blade | 10 | 8 |
| Lens configuration | 5groups 6elements | 4groups 6elements |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.7 | ← |
| Lens length(mm) | 43.5 | ← |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 54 | 53 |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 40.5 | 39 |
| Weight(g) | 255 | Black:240 Silver,Titan:335 |
| Release date | 1999 | 1978 |
| Focal length | Lens name | Release date | Technical Report |
| 28mm | M-HEXANON f28 / F2.8 | 1999年 | 28/50/90mm-PDF |
| 50mm | M-HEXANON f50 / F2 | 1999年 | 28/50/90mm-PDF |
| 90mm | M-HEXANON f90 / F2.8 | 1999年 | 28/50/90mm-PDF |
| 35mm | M-HEXANON f35 / F2 | 2000年 | 35mm-PDF |
| 50mm | M-HEXANON f50 / F1.2 | 2001年 | 50mm/F1.2-PDF |
| 21-35mm | M-HEXANON f21-35 / F3.4-4 | 2002年 | 21-35mm-PDF |
Reference links
Update
- 2025.4.27
- 2024.05.30:Update the article
- 2024.03.01:Update the article
- 2022.05.20:First draft
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