Konica 35/2 UC-Hexanon LTM

bobomoon · 03-02-2007

I'm not gonna buy it but is this a reasonable price? Link

David Murphy · 03-02-2007

How do you know this is for Leica thread mount?

planetjoe · 03-02-2007

I saw that auction, too, while looking over some AR-mount stuff. It's the LTM version, near as I can tell. Stephen talks about it briefly on this page, and Dante Stella describes it, too.

As for the price...well, it's probably pretty accurate. Dante says the original price was 114k yen, and that currently works out to about $1k. And the lens was made in a limited run of 1000.

Now, that's GAS.

Cheers,
--joe.

wintoid · 03-02-2007

The ad says "Fit to 35mm Rangefinder camera (L mount)".

I seem to recall this is the same lens design as the M-Hexanon 35mm f2.0 I own, but far smaller in size. Basically my dream lens, but unjustifiable given I already own the M-Hexanon. If I didn't, I personally would have paid that price.

Huck Finn · 03-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintoid

The ad says "Fit to 35mm Rangefinder camera (L mount)".

I seem to recall this is the same lens design as the M-Hexanon 35mm f2.0 I own, but far smaller in size. Basically my dream lens, but unjustifiable given I already own the M-Hexanon. If I didn't, I personally would have paid that price.

The UC-Hexanon 35/2 is a classic double-Gauss design, which is why it performs so similarly to the pre-ASPH Leica 35/2. In addition to the fact that it is a rare limited-edition lens, it is more expensive because it is made of brass instead of aluminum. The M-hexanon 35/2 is a completely different design:

http://www3.xitek.com/bingqiku/konic...onica-lens.htm

peter_n · 03-02-2007

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-...id=006tmt&tag=

dreamsandart · 03-02-2007

I sold one for about this price. Limited to 1000 units so I don't see the price going down. Yes, its a LTM lens and with an adapter can mount without problems to the M-series. Not too many black paint Leica lenses out there and this is a gorgeous looking lens on any camera. If you have a BP M-series or LTM it may be ideal.

Great Lens! Very compact and very well made. Optically its 'beautiful', very sharp and flare resistant. If you are looking for a high quality compact 35 for your M you couldn't do better.

I think it came into being because Konica just wanted to show what they could do.

peter_n · 03-02-2007

In Japan they never needed to do that. Konica lenses were used by the Japanese Ministry of Industry as the reference benchmark by which the quality of all other manufacturers' lenses were judged. Some companies have an obsession with quality and Konica was one of them.

planetjoe · 03-02-2007

Hey, Peter - thanks for the pnet reference; I hadn't seen that. I'll add it to my bookmarks and my ever-growing bin of random photo information.

Now, if I could only afford that lens. Or learn to shoot 35mm correctly, for that matter...

Cheers,
--joe.

amateriat · 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_n

In Japan they never needed to do that. Konica lenses were used by the Japanese Ministry of Industry as the reference benchmark by which the quality of all other manufacturers' lenses were judged. Some companies have an obsession with quality and Konica was one of them.

I'd also offer that Konica was on something of a creative/engineering hot streak from about 1992 until their fateful "merger" with Minolta a few years back. Bringing out the "oddball" Hexar autofocus, making awfully-interesting LTM lenses, then bringing out the Hexar RF and a handful of great lenses to support it. It was practially a Golden Age for them.

- Barrett

venchka · 03-02-2007

The serial number confirms the limited production: 0344/1000. Oiy.

This lens would fit on all of my RF bodies. Why did I swear off equipment purchases in 2007?

Bummer.

Gid · 03-02-2007

Just bought it. I've been looking for the 35 Hexanon M for a while, but this will do just fine.

amateriat · 03-02-2007

Dante's overview of this lens is here.

(Gid: that lens will do just fine, indeed. Enjoy it lots!)

- Barrett

Gid · 03-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by amateriat

Dante's overview of this lens is here.

(Gid: that lens will do just fine, indeed. Enjoy it lots!)

- Barrett

Barrett,

I'm looking forward to it.

wintoid · 03-03-2007

Oh that link implies it's NOT the same as the M-Hexanon. Then again, who really knows. I wonder if there's a way to find out definitively.

Good thing Gid bought it. I have this urge to chase the 35UC, M-Hex 60mm 1.2, M-Hex 50mm 1.2 and M-Hex 21-35. Right now I'm an enthusiastic Konica user with all Konica lenses, but that would turn me into a (poor) Konica collector with an angry partner.

Gid · 03-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintoid

Oh that link implies it's NOT the same as the M-Hexanon. Then again, who really knows. I wonder if there's a way to find out definitively.

Good thing Gid bought it. I have this urge to chase the 35UC, M-Hex 60mm 1.2, M-Hex 50mm 1.2 and M-Hex 21-35. Right now I'm an enthusiastic Konica user with all Konica lenses, but that would turn me into a (poor) Konica collector with an angry partner.

They have a 60 1.2 in LTM mount. Interesting FL - would make a 90 1.2 on the R-D1. Lots of £ though (maybe not compared to a Noctilux)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MATSUIYASTO...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

wintoid · 03-05-2007

They just relisted the lens, presumably because they have more!

venchka · 03-05-2007

Interesting. Only this time you can't read the serial number on the lens.

galavanter · 03-11-2007

At least the third one for today is available now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Konica-UC-HEXANO...QQcmdZViewItem

I bought the second one and I am elated. I was searching for 28 Hexanons this morning and I saw the first one had ended with "buy it now". I emailed Noriaki and he responded by alerting me to his second listing. I had a tracking number in half an hour. I had not seen this thread until now.
Those are sailboats melting into the sky behind the girl and cellphone picture in Dante's review! To me a brand new V4 Summicron only better. My dream lens too.

Gid have you received yours?

Jim

Gid · 03-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by galavanter

At least the third one for today is available now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Konica-UC-HEXANO...QQcmdZViewItem

I bought the second one and I am elated. I was searching for 28 Hexanons this morning and I saw the first one had ended with "buy it now". I emailed Noriaki and he responded by alerting me to his second listing. I had a tracking number in half an hour. I had not seen this thread until now.
Those are sailboats melting into the sky behind the girl and cellphone picture in Dante's review! To me a brand new V4 Summicron only better. My dream lens too.

Gid have you received yours?

Jim

Jim,

Apologies for missing the end of this thread.

Mine turned up on the Wednesday morning following my purchase - effectively 3 working days from Japan to the UK, which I think is amazing. The whole experience with the seller was excellent - great communication - and I recommend him to anyone.

The lens is superb in terms of fit and finish (gorgeous black lacquer) and reminds me very much of my (now gone) 35 F2 summicron IV in terms of handling. I've been trying it out on my new M8 (both arrived same day) and I am very pleased with the results. I've attached a couple of examples.

First at F2, second at F8 and third at F4 all with M8 and B+W 486 filter

galavanter · 03-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gid

Jim,

Apologies for missing the end of this thread.

Mine turned up on the Wednesday morning following my purchase - effectively 3 working days from Japan to the UK, which I think is amazing. The whole experience with the seller was excellent - great communication - and I recommend him to anyone.

The lens is superb in terms of fit and finish (gorgeous black lacquer) and reminds me very much of my (now gone) 35 F2 summicron IV in terms of handling. I've been trying it out on my new M8 (both arrived same day) and I am very pleased with the results. I've attached a couple of examples.

First at F2, second at F8 and third at F4 all with M8 and B+W 486 filter

I figured you were busy taking photographs. Mine arrived in the US in 3 days as well. Unfortunately I'm on the road so I don't have it yet. I had the same excellent experience dealing with Noriaki. I wanted to ask him where he is getting these things! Thanks for the examples. I can't wait to try mine out on the R-D1.

Jim

Gabriel M.A. · 03-15-2007

I was waiting to get enough money by the end of the auction. Now I find out why it's gone. Somebody spilled the beans!!

galavanter · 03-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

I was waiting to get enough money by the end of the auction. Now I find out why it's gone. Somebody spilled the beans!!

Oh that one sold days ago! There was at least one or two more after that. You missed those too. I think "newbies" got them.

mfunnell · 03-15-2007

There's another one listed there right now. He must have quite the source of supply, given this is a "rare lens with only 1,000 made".

...Mike

venchka · 03-15-2007

Someday I will regret passing these up. I picture one semi-permanently attached to one of my Canon bodies. Oh well. I already have a couple of nice 35mm lenses. Isn't that enough?