Konica Fast Lenses: M-Hexanon 50mm f1.2 and 60mm f1.2

[jsrockit]

Too bad these are hard to find, I'd love to have one of the 50s at a decent price.

[noimmunity]

A few years ago nobody wanted the "funny" focal length, and they could be seen selling for around US$2000, quite often less.

[Benjamin Marks]

I was using a Konica 57/1.2 AR on a Panny G2 over the weekend with an adapter.



I just love these fast designs. I assume that the SLR version of this lens is more or less the same as the M-mount or LTM 60's.

Edit: True this is not one of the lenses in the OP, but I have given up on being able to find the 60/1.2. Them's that got 'em, ain't selling. The 57/1.2 in AR mount can still be found though, and produces really nice results. Higher contrast than the Canon 50/1.2 lenses than I have seen, without a lot of fall off on m-4/3.

[ricnak]

page 5

http://translate.google.com.au/trans...eicalens5.html

it will be interesting to see how long it is there for at that price

[noimmunity]

Originally Posted by ricnak

page 5

http://translate.google.com.au/trans...eicalens5.html

it will be interesting to see how long it is there for at that price

almost all of the lenses listed on that page have already been sold

[cam]

Originally Posted by noimmunity

almost all of the lenses listed on that page have already been sold

damn! i would bite on it in a heartbeat!

[leicashot]

Here's my contribution from the 60mm Hex. So far this lens is performing better than I expected, which is sharper that the 50mm Summilux ASPH wide open.

[ricnak]

very nice!

[cam]

Kristian,

i love that second shot especially!

so, if you could only have one lens, which do you like best -- 50 Summilux pre-asph (v.3), 50 Summilux Asph, or the Hex?

(keeping in mind i'm looking for Black Paint on the Luxes as i prefer focusing with the knurled edges -- so none of these are cheap... i want to supplement my E58 Nocti for night shots, but also have something that focuses closer and is a bit lighter for day shots that can also be used in dark basement bars.)

i look forward to your opinion as you've already got me looking very close at the CV Nokton...

thank you!

[noimmunity]

Originally Posted by cam

i love that second shot especially!

I'll second that second one! Talk about star-shaped bokeh !

[horosu]

I am not a bokeh fanatic , but the OOF areas on the Hexanon 60/1.2 are just awful to my eye. Resolution-wise it seems very sharp. I had one in my hands some time ago and shot some comparison shots with the 50/1.4 ASPH, and the Hex ones were, indeed, sharper, but I wonder if that is not the effect of comparing different focal lengths.

[cam]

Originally Posted by horosu

I am not a bokeh fanatic , but the OOF areas on the Hexanon 60/1.2 are just awful to my eye. Resolution-wise it seems very sharp. I had one in my hands some time ago and shot some comparison shots with the 50/1.4 ASPH, and the Hex ones were, indeed, sharper, but I wonder if that is not the effect of comparing different focal lengths.

i'm open to anyone chiming in, so thank you!

(evil man that you are, though -- you have the number one lens on my lust list -- the Aspherical!)

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by cam

Kristian,

i love that second shot especially!

so, if you could only have one lens, which do you like best -- 50 Summilux pre-asph (v.3), 50 Summilux Asph, or the Hex?

(keeping in mind i'm looking for Black Paint on the Luxes as i prefer focusing with the knurled edges -- so none of these are cheap... i want to supplement my E58 Nocti for night shots, but also have something that focuses closer and is a bit lighter for day shots that can also be used in dark basement bars.)

i look forward to your opinion as you've already got me looking very close at the CV Nokton...

thank you!

Firstly, I would avoid the Nokton 1.1, if you're thinking 50mm. I've used it a few times and have never been able to like anything about it. Value for money it surely is great, but if you're talking about technical qualities of sharpness wide open and bokeh, it's signature is well below par compared to the other competitors.

The LHSA Summilux ASPH is fantastic, possibly sharper wide open than the regular version, maybe due to it's different coating, being more blue. It's handling is fantastic as I've never liked focus tabs on lenses other than wide angles. The lens is smaller and better balanced on any camera too. Using it without the hood (a must due to the size of the hood) is a pleasure and makes for a very compact kit, like it's original older brother, the pre-asph V1-III. In terms of character, this lens exhibits very little, being the supermodel you always wanted, but all looks and no personality It's perfect rendering was welcomed when I got it at first release but now I miss the imperfect look. Although if I was to have only one 50mm, it's hard to argue with the ASPH as it does do everything right.

I am a big fan of the pre-asph Summilux, and love the VII and VIII due to their size but close focusing can be a pain sometimes being limited to 1m. It's signature is very smooth, and by not being 'too' sharp wide open makes for a classic look with a little character in the bokeh. Definitely THE lens to get for a balance of modern meets classic.

The Hexanon is a 60mm focal length so it's unique in the lineup. Seeing I use my 50's as more of a telephoto than standard, the 60mm is not a stretch. It's really well balanced on the camera as it's slightly wide, but quite short. About 2/3 the height of the Noctilux 0.95 and about the same length as the Summilux ASPH (regular). It's build is solid and sweet. I got myself a self codable adapter and found the best coding to be the 50 Summilux pre-asph. for even colors to the edges. Focus is smooth, but not as much as the Noct 0.95. Aperture is a little bit too smooth, but clicks nicely and there's no problem.

At f/1.2, it's sharpness 'almost' matches the Summilux ASPH, surpassing the pre-asph, but the contrast is on the low side. This is very desirable for use in low light as the shadows have more information and can be easily brought back during post processing. Stopping down to 1.4, sharpness surpasses the Summilux ASPH, especially in the center area and contrast picks up noticeably. Bokeh differences between 1.2 and 1.4 is noticeable, but not by much. For me, I'd use 1.4 most of the time, except for extreme low light situations where I'd want to squeeze out more information.

The lens's character is why I've wanted this lens for the last 5 years. It's amazing, to me. It's very distinct without the craziness of other lenses, including the slightly more wild Hexanon 50/1.2 Ti. It's almost like a slightly more wild Summilux pre-asph but with sharper results. It's effect in OOF areas is of a painterly effect. This is very much related to the 35/2 UC lens which I also have and the pair match 100% in character.

Hope this helps.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by horosu

I am not a bokeh fanatic , but the OOF areas on the Hexanon 60/1.2 are just awful to my eye. Resolution-wise it seems very sharp. I had one in my hands some time ago and shot some comparison shots with the 50/1.4 ASPH, and the Hex ones were, indeed, sharper, but I wonder if that is not the effect of comparing different focal lengths.

I'm not sure focal length would have anything to do with it as a 50mm with more depth of field may 'appear' to look sharper. In terms of comparing bokeh, they are totally different. The Summilux ASPH was designed to meet the technical demands lens manufacturing and in this regard it is perfect. If you love the Summilux and enjoy it's bokeh, there's no surprise you don't like the bokeh from the Hexanon as it's aberrations are not so well corrected. This imperfection is what makes the lens so unique and so well sought after compared to other lenses like it's larger brother the 50/1.2 Ti.

[cam]

Kristian,

thank you so much for your reply! (btw, i was talking about the CV 35/1.2 )

i have a 1962 50 Lux and am mad for it -- but the 1m limitation drives me mad which is why i am looking for alternatives.

i must admit the LHSA version sounds tempting because of its size, but the Hex's ectra stop and low contrast (i like that -- most of my work is b/w and i like to do contrast myself) has been calling me too...

i would love it (if you have time) if you could take some more night shots at f/1.2.

again, many thanks.

(and if anybody sees one for sale, give me a holler!)

[leicashot]

You're very welcome Cam. Yes the 35mm 1.2 is fantastic, and it's bokeh is something closer to the Summilux ASPH than the Hexanon which is why I have the Hex UC 35/2 lens as well. I'll be doing a Hexanon 60 V Noctilux 0.95, comparing at 0.95, 1.2 and 1.4 in about 2 weeks from now....stay tuned.

[cam]

Originally Posted by leicashot

You're very welcome Cam. Yes the 35mm 1.2 is fantastic, and it's bokeh is something closer to the Summilux ASPH than the Hexanon which is why I have the Hex UC 35/2 lens as well. I'll be doing a Hexanon 60 V Noctilux 0.95, comparing at 0.95, 1.2 and 1.4 in about 2 weeks from now....stay tuned.

exquisite!

though i have a question about that pic -- do the meters no longer take change? i'm visiting home (LaLaLand) for Thanksgiving and want to know if this means i don't need to lug my quarters

back to lenses... you've intrigued me about the UC Hex, but i already have the pre-asph and ASPH (v.1) Lux and an 8-element Cron... the only reason the CV intrigues me is that extra stop (seriously dark bars here!) and closer focusing on the new v2.

i hope the 1.4 in your comparison is the pre-asph as i find the 0.95 footprint just like the 50 Lux Asph. i know you're loving new Nocti for work but, for me, it isn't worth the difference in weight (i have an early version E58) and cost... plus, i much prefer the dreamy glow and imperfections of the f/1.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by cam

exquisite!

though i have a question about that pic -- do the meters no longer take change? i'm visiting home (LaLaLand) for Thanksgiving and want to know if this means i don't need to lug my quarters

back to lenses... you've intrigued me about the UC Hex, but i already have the pre-asph and ASPH (v.1) Lux and an 8-element Cron... the only reason the CV intrigues me is that extra stop (seriously dark bars here!) and closer focusing on the new v2.

i hope the 1.4 in your comparison is the pre-asph as i find the 0.95 footprint just like the 50 Lux Asph. i know you're loving new Nocti for work but, for me, it isn't worth the difference in weight (i have an early version E58) and cost... plus, i much prefer the dreamy glow and imperfections of the f/1.

well the meters take quarters and credit cards

The UC Hex is sweet, sharp wide open but limited to 0.9m close focusing. Small, well built and very sexy!!!

The pre-asph may be in it if I can find one to compare. Would also be good to add the f/1. IMHO if you own the Nocti f/1, there is no need to look at the Hex 1.2 as they both offer the same kinds off signature, only with slightly different personality, if that makes sense. Especially the E58 version which is smaller is size, but still larger than the Hexanon which is very small for what it is. I'm not aware of anything smaller or comparable except for the original Noct 1.2.

[horosu]

Originally Posted by leicashot

I'm not sure focal length would have anything to do with it as a 50mm with more depth of field may 'appear' to look sharper. In terms of comparing bokeh, they are totally different. The Summilux ASPH was designed to meet the technical demands lens manufacturing and in this regard it is perfect. If you love the Summilux and enjoy it's bokeh, there's no surprise you don't like the bokeh from the Hexanon as it's aberrations are not so well corrected. This imperfection is what makes the lens so unique and so well sought after compared to other lenses like it's larger brother the 50/1.2 Ti.

I was thinking that the higher magnification of the Hexanon would make things appear sharper, but I may be wrong.

Do you have any problems with back focus on the M9, as it was reported with this and other Konica lenses.

Horea

[cam]

Originally Posted by leicashot

well the meters take quarters and credit cards

The UC Hex is sweet, sharp wide open but limited to 0.9m close focusing. Small, well built and very sexy!!!

The pre-asph may be in it if I can find one to compare. Would also be good to add the f/1. IMHO if you own the Nocti f/1, there is no need to look at the Hex 1.2 as they both offer the same kinds off signature, only with slightly different personality, if that makes sense. Especially the E58 version which is smaller is size, but still larger than the Hexanon which is very small for what it is. I'm not aware of anything smaller or comparable except for the original Noct 1.2.

cool! (i hav a stash pile of quarters from my last visit.)

i will be in L.A. at the end of November and you're more than welcome to use my f/1... there is a debate about whether there is a difference from the later models (i think there is) so maybe it won't be quite fair. (mine was made in 1975 and, i think, was like 235 after the first serial numbers according to the Wiki page).

i also have a gorgeous v2 Lux that you can use -- but, again, i belive the character varies from the v.3. from what i understand, it's more than simply the nearer focusing but, if course, we're talking nuance.

regardless, you are welcome to borrow either or both, if you don't mind putting off your test for a bit.

the Hex still intrigues me because of both its sharpness and, sometimes, those 7-8 inches count a lot! (Yanidel left before i got to try his on my M9.)

to clarify -- the 60/1.2 does focus down to .8m, no?

[menos]

Thanks Kristian for the detailed 50mm opinion, very interesting!

[leicashot]

60mm at f/8 on M9-P

[cam]

Originally Posted by JSU

Yes, but you may have to very slightly relieve the area on the back of the lens and LTM adapter adjacent to the RF follower. I used a Dremel tool and absolutely get to the close focus of 0.8M with the coupled RF.

thank you for that tidbit!

Originally Posted by leicashot

60mm at f/8 on M9-P

very striking!

Century City?

[leicashot]

Century City it is Cam

[leicashot]

Leica M9-P with Konica Hexanon 60/1.2 shot wide open