[PIC] Konica Hexanon 50/2.4 vs 50/2 bokeh

[funkydog]

Hi all. I couldn't find any sample pictures shot with a Hexanon 50/2.5 screwmount either on RFF or Flickr so here are some of mine. Maybe someone will find these useful.

The pictures are 100% crops comparing the out of focus backgrounds of the Hexanon 50/2.4 L with the Hexanon M 50/2. Btw, this is not a test of sharpness or color fidelity.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70580 (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/../photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70580)
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70581
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70582
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70583

[nzhang]

At f2.8 I can see the difference, seems that 50/2.4L has smoother bokeh and the brick column in the background better defined than that of M 50/2. I can't tell difference at F5.6.

[shadowfox]

So similar, can't see a significant difference.

[Krosya]

Thank you for the photos. If you have more with 50/2.4 L - please post, as you know it's a rare lens and any onfo helps. Based on these, I like 50/2 better.
Can you write a bit more about 50/2.4L? How does it handle? Built? And more photos pls - I'm thinking to get one too, but since there is almost no info on it, I'm greatful for you input.
Thank you.

[matt fury]

Can't see much of a difference...makes me feel good about my 50/2 Hex!!

[BigSteveG]

I still want a 2.4...they're so cool looking!!!!

[Doug]

Might be a consistent exposure difference, but the 50 f2 seems have a bit better shadow detail, and superior "modeling"... I guess I'd say the f2 Hexanon has about 20% more sparkle to it. About as specific as I can get... :D

[funkydog]

Here're more OOF comparison pictures with the Hexanon M
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/1458112245_c4bfc6236f_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/1458978886_88ab204d4d_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/1458980742_02d9091ca0_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/1458982856_0ca4d762c8_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/1458118521_0785ae2d26_o.jpg

And...OOF comparison with the CV 50/2.5 Color Skopar
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1194/1458104159_e6b292a913_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/1458106427_421cf1e654_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1083/1458110053_45ba545f55_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1458111925_3ee795b0f4_o.jpg

[funkydog]

Can you write a bit more about 50/2.4L? How does it handle? Built?
Hi. I'll have to get back to you later when I've spent more time with the Hexanon. I've only just got the lens and these are my first pictures with it. 8-)

[Doug]

And...OOF comparison with the CV 50/2.5 Color SkoparMost intersting... partly because I have the 50 Skopar! It looks to me that at the wider apertures the Skopar generally has lower contrast but slightly more defined OOF, where the Hexanon looks smeared (say in the tree area esp at left). As you stop down this difference remains but the Skopar gradually picks up contrast. At f5.6 I think the Skopar has become more contrasty than the Hexanon, which still has less background definition plus what looks like veiling flare in the upper area.

[Krosya]

Here're more OOF comparison pictures with the Hexanon M
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/1458112245_c4bfc6236f_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/1458978886_88ab204d4d_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/1458980742_02d9091ca0_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/1458982856_0ca4d762c8_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/1458118521_0785ae2d26_o.jpg

And...OOF comparison with the CV 50/2.5 Color Skopar
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1194/1458104159_e6b292a913_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/1458106427_421cf1e654_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1083/1458110053_45ba545f55_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1458111925_3ee795b0f4_o.jpg


Interesting, but in this set I kinda like 2.4L a little better. Or maybe it seems a bit warmer. Not sure what it is.
Thanks for the photos. Keep them coming. And I'm patiently waiting for your thoughts on that 2.4L lens. ;)

[funkydog]

Here're my 2 cents about the lens.
Build quality - its as good as the 50 year old leica lenses. The only possible downside is that the lettering is silkscreened rather than engraved.

The speckled finish looks grainy but feels satin smooth to the touch. The aperture ring turns lightly and the click stop detents feel distinct but not stiff. The front lens assembly does not rotate when changing aperture. Perhaps the Elmar and collapsible Summicron were like that too when new.

I've attached a picture showing the lens side by side with the CV 2.5, 50's Elmar, collapsible Summicron, and the Hexanon M.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70795&ppuser=9760


Fully extended, the Hexanon L is slightly longer than the other lenses. Collapsed, the back portrudes less into the camera body than the Elmar. The wider focus collar and its extended placement from the back of the lens makes the Hexanon a lot more pleasant to focus than the shorter Elmar and collapsible Summicron. Give me a longer lens with a wide focus collar any day.

The filter size is the same 40.5mm as the Hexanon M.

As for oof optical characteristics, I don't have anything to add that hasn't be said by others previously. Thanks goes to Doug who wrote a nice capsule review that's much better than anything I can write.

To conclude, the Hexanon 2.5 L is a real nice lens. For the LTM user who wants a 50mm Hexanon lens this is it. M mount users are spoilt for choice but few other recent lenses beats the Hexanon for retro coolness.

I'm happy with my Hexanon. I was thinking of buying a wunderplastik dslr lens but the prospect of dealing with "sample variations", CA, front/back focusing issues,etc that seems to be the norm in dslr world is a real turn off. No buyers' remorse where the Hexanon is concerned.

Value for money part - do I feel like kicking myself now that I know the lens is optically very similar to the Hexanon M that's half the price? No but I am kicking myself for not waiting another week. The same seller on Ebay just dropped the price on another 50/2.4 L by $100! If you're not superstitious about the "4" in the serial number, go get it for $498.98. Don't blame me if the price goes to $398 after that. You dont know how many more he has - 2 or maybe 20. 8-)


(http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=70795&ppuser=9760)