The Konishiroku Hexanon 50 1.9, Sonnar?

buzzardkid · 10-13-2009

Every now and then it start nagging: what is that screw mount Konishiroku Hexanon 50mm 1.9 lens actually like to shoot?

With the other thread on Hexanon lenses going on, the itch returned. I own several Hexanon lenses for Leica and love them dearly, but the screw mount fifty is a mystery to me.

Anybody got any info on the screw mount Hexanon lens? It sold with the Honor cameras, which were very well built Leica copies. There is a number of them listed on that auction site. What focal design is it? Sonnar? Can anybody post some shots taken with it?

Brian Sweeney · 10-13-2009

From the block diagram shown, it is not a Sonnar but looks like a variation of the Planar.
It looks like a 6 element in 5 groups, 1-1-2-1 where the cemented pair of the typical 1-2-2-1 Xenon/Planar lens is split with an air gap.

buzzardkid · 10-13-2009

Six elements in five groups, is that more like a Planar design? The Sonnar is six or seven elements in three groups, right?

Anybody shooting this lens? I cannot find any shots taken with it and would love to know about contrast, OOF etc.

buzzardkid · 10-13-2009

Brian, is this the Schneider Kreuznach Xenon design, or the Leitz Xenon design? Or are these the same?

Trius · 10-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLE-RF

With the other thread on Hexanon lenses going on, the itch returned.

My bad ... sorry!

(But if you buy an LTM 50/1.9, I'm not paying for it.

)

flip · 10-13-2009

I read somewhere online that it was regarded as unexceptional, but being konica, I imagine it's still quite good.

Brian Sweeney · 10-13-2009

The Leitz Xenon/Summarit design is a 1-2-2-1-1 where the last element of the classic Xenon was split into two elements of lesser strength (Photographic Optics, Neblette, 1965)

buzzardkid · 10-13-2009

Anybody got a clue why these lenses are so expensive? Gokevincameras seems to think the world of them regarding their price, but nobody shoots one, I have not been able to locate even one photo taken with it on the net.

And would still love to see any results from it!!!

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Of the Japanese RF 50mmf2s that I have, Hexanon50mmf1.9, in term of sharpness is very close to Fujinon50mmf2. Bokeh is nice as well. It is smoother than the other f2 lenses. I'm not sure if it's the 0.1 difference in f-stop. It's a gem. All taken with M8 at f1.9

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Some comparative shots taken when I happened to have a few of my 50mmf2s with me during lunch. All taken with M8. Photos & 100%
Hexanon50mmf1.9 @ f1.9

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Fujinon50mmf2 @f2

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Nikkor50mmf2 (Japan version) @f2

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Nikkor50mmf2 (Tokyo version) @f2. This is a little softer & less contrasty compared to Japan version.

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Tanar50mmf2 @f2

tooffy · 10-14-2009

I do not have my Topcor-S 50mmf2 with me then instead I have the Topcor 50mmf1.5 (a half Sonnar) with me. This Topcor 50mmf1.5 is one mighty good lens as well. Signature closest to Canon50mmf1.5.
Topcor 50mmf1.5 @f2.0

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Hexanon50mmf1.9 @f1.9

buzzardkid · 10-14-2009

Oh boy.

I like the Topcor-S best, very well corrected in the OOF areas.

But I think others will agree the Hexanon comes in second best with this field of competitors.

Thank you for the effort put into this!

flip · 10-14-2009

Wow. I obviously read some foolish reviews. That 1.9 looks great!
Curious which model of topcor that is? From your prior posts, I understand they vary a bit from model to model.

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by flip

Wow. I obviously read some foolish reviews. That 1.9 looks great!
Curious which model of topcor that is? From your prior posts, I understand they vary a bit from model to model.

Hi 日本人-to be

,
Firstly, the photo for the Topcor is taken with Topcor 5cm f1.5 lens at f2.0. (ie not a f2 lens)
This is an improvement over Simlar 5cm f1.5 which I have tried. The Simlar being much softer & less contrasty.

I think for Topcor 50mmf2, there are 4 versions:
1. Topcor 5cm f2-earliest (no S)
2. Topcor-S 5cm f2 (early) all chrome lens
3. Topcor-S 5cm f2 (mid) black & chrome-more chrome than black
4. Topcor-S 5cm f2 (late) black & some chrome-the most common.
They were supposed to be different but from the 2 versions that I have (Topcor-S 5cm f2 early & mid), I do not see obvious differences meaning one being more inferior in image rendition compared to the other. Both are very good. Of course, I have not done side-by-side comparison shots.

Picture showing Topcor-S early (chrome) & mid (black & chrome)

dberger · 10-14-2009

Very nice comparison shots, which are consistent with my observation that none of the Japanese 50mm f1.8-2 Leica screw mount lenses from the classic period are even remotely bad. I have many of them (Canons, Nikkors, Topcors, Yashinon, Tanars, Fujinon, et al.), and they seem to range from very good to outstanding. They differ nicely in character, though, so one has to have them all, doesn't one?

I see you did not try a Rokkor 50mm f2 or f1.8. If you do not have them, you should try to find them. The f2 (a variation on the Summitar, I believe) is as good as any others I have tried, and the 1.8 may be the best of all. Too bad they are so hard to find at a reasonable price.

Cheers,

David

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dberger

Very nice comparison shots, which are consistent with my observation that none of the Japanese 50mm f1.8-2 Leica screw mount lenses from the classic period are even remotely bad. I have many of them (Canons, Nikkors, Topcors, Yashinon, Tanars, Fujinon, et al.), and they seem to range from very good to outstanding. They differ nicely in character, though, so one has to have them all, doesn't one?

I see you did not try a Rokkor 50mm f2 or f1.8. If you do not have them, you should try to find them. The f2 (a variation on the Summitar, I believe) is as good as any others I have tried, and the 1.8 may be the best of all. Too bad they are so hard to find at a reasonable price.
HU: there is a Rokkor50mmf2 in LeicaShop. It's a steal at €150! https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/ch...kor-p-624.html

Cheers,

David

Hi David,
So sorry. I do have the Rokkor50mmf2-just that I do not have it with me on that day when I did the test. It wasn't meant to be a lens test day but just happened to have those few in my bag.

Yes, I tend to agree with you- the Japanese RF 50mmf2s are very good to outstanding & I would like to have them all.

HU: there is a Rokkor50mmf2 in LeicaShop. It's a steal at €150! https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/ch...kor-p-624.html
cheers,

tooffy · 10-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLE-RF

Oh boy.

I like the Topcor-S best, very well corrected in the OOF areas.

But I think others will agree the Hexanon comes in second best with this field of competitors.

Thank you for the effort put into this!

Hi CLE-RF,
First, to apologise for my mistake-the Topcor50mmf1.5 I used in the test does not have a S-designation. I got confused with the f2 lenses. The following are in response to your request (photos below just taken minutes ago):
The Hexanon50mmf1.9, I think, it single coated. The coating has a golden yellow tint only. No blue or purple or green.
Focus throw- from ∞ to closest focus distant (CFD) of 3.3 feet, the barrel rotate about 180º. (Picture 1 shows infinity lock tab at the CFD which is about half way round the barrel from the ∞ lock.)
It takes a ODD size filter of 39.5mm. I was lucky to have one UV filter in that size that I accidentally bought thinking it was a 40.5 listed wrongly as 39.5mm.

buzzardkid · 10-14-2009

That Rokkor certainly is a steal!

I agreed with myself to cut some gear and plan to hold myself to the agreement, else I would snap it up in a second. Cannot imagine why it's not more expensive, currently all lenses that are cheaper are 135mm lenses on LeicaShop.

FYI: I did a search on the internet and the only LTM or M lens I can come up with that has the same optical design, is the 75mm Color-Heliar from Voigtländer. Which is also known to be a very sharp lens, like yours!

Again, thanks for the info! I might even consider selling some gear to get me one of those 50mm 1.9 Hexanons.

buzzardkid · 10-14-2009

I did a search on "six elements in five groups" and whaddayouknow: another "six elements in five groups" lens is the Konica Hexanon 50mm 1.7 AR, which is held in such high esteem in that other Hexanon thread!

flip · 10-19-2009

Thanks for the info about the topcors. Man, I wish I could get the 1.5. I saw one auction in Japan for well over US $1000. $1200 if I recall. Yikes!