Konica Hexanon Lenses

Konica
Hexanon Lenses
(Inclomplete List)

Late model Konica Hexanon AR lenses are all black, and are those mostly commonly found. However, older Konica lenses are black with a silver colored aperture ring, and can still be found on occasion. In addition, some early Hexanon AR lenses were ARP (preset) or ARM (manual). ARM lenses are also ones which take a put-in type filter at the rear of the lens. All others use filters which screw onto the front of the lens.

All Konica Hexanon lenses made for the Auto-Reflex and onwards through the TC-X are interchangeable and are the ones I deal with here. The older Konica bayonet-type lenses will not work on the reflex and later Konica camera bodies and are not listed below. Changes in these lenses have occurred over the years. Early lenses have a brushed chrome ring between the aperture ring and the focusing collar, which is all metal and the aperture ring does not lock into the "EE" (auto-exposure) setting. Whether they are or not is uncertain. Some appear not to have and lens coating, but most, and probably all, Konica lenses have some type of multi-coating. Beginning with the 1970s, Hexanon lenses lost the chrome ring and the "EE" setting could be locked into place, but retained the metal focus ring. Around 1973 lenses were changed by replacing the metal focus ring to a mooth, round ruberized, checkered pattern one, and the lenses received better multi-coating. It was about 1978 that the "EE" setting began being changed to "AE." Some new lenses also took on the designation of "UC" for "Ultra Compact," "Ultra Close-Up" and "Ultra Coating." This will give you a basic guide as to the general age of Hexanon lenses. Newer lenses are not necessarily better than older varieties and can be quite sharp, but some have a coating optimized for black and white rather than color films.

General Age of Hexanon AR Lenses

1960's, Early 1970's	Brushed-chrome ring, scalloped-like metal focus ring, no EE lock. Also includes ARP and ARM lenses.	Mid 1970's	All balck lenses (except 1000 & 2000mm) with a rubberized, checkered pattern, round focus ring, and with EE lock.
Early 1970's	All black lenses(except 1000 & 2000mm), scalloped-like metal focus ring. Also includes some ARP and ARM lenses.	Late 1970's Onward	All balck (except 1000mm), with EE being changed to AE, better multi-coating, and with some models also designated UC.

Prime Hexanon Lenses

15mm f/2.8 - Ultra-wideangle (fisheye) lens. Built-in hood and filter. Close focus is 5.9 inches. Has built-in Skylight, R60, Y52 and B8 filters. Construction is 9 elements in 6 groups. Weight 14.1 ounces. Aperture Scale: f/2.8-16.

15mm UC f/2.8 - Fisheye focuses to 6 inches. Has built-in hood and filter. Can still be found, but rare. Weight, 13.9 ounces. Construction, 10 elements in 7 groups. Has built-in Skylight, R60, Y52 and B8 filters. Aperture Scale: f/2.8-16.

21mm f/2.8- Rare, but not as rare as the 15mm. Uses 55mm filters. It weighs 7.6 ounces. Construction 9 elements in 8 groups. Aperture Scale: f/2.8-22.

21mm f/4 - The best lens of this range at the time on the market. Uses 77mm filters and an 80mm clip-on hood. It weighs 12 ounces. Construction is 11 elements in 7 groups. Close foucus is 8 inches. Aperture Scale: f/4-16.

24mm f/2.8 - Second only to Nikon's in this length. Uses 55mm filters. Weighs 9.9 ounces. Construction 8 elements in 8 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

24mm f/2.8 - The latest version weighs 7.2 ounces. Construction is still 8 elements in 8 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-22.

28mm UC f/1.8 - A large lens. Weighs 13.4 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Lens construction 8 elements in 8 groups. Focuses down to 7 inches. Aperture Scale: f/1.8-16.

28mm f/3.5 - Very good lens. Constructed of 7 elements in 7 groups. Weight is 7.4 ounces and takes 55mm filters.

28mm f/3.5 - Construction is 5 elements in 5 groups. Weight is 6.2 ounces and takes 55mm filters. Minimum focus is 18 inches. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22.

28mm f/3.5 ARP - This is a manual preset lens with an aperture scale from f/3.5 - 22. It has 6 groups and 7 elements and uses a 58mm filter. Weight is 270 grams.

35mm f/2 - Close focus is 12 inches. Weighs 11.3 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Construction 7 groups, 9 elements. Aperture Range: f/2-16.

35mm f/2.8 ARP - Another manual preset lens. Aperture scale f/2.8 - 22. Also with 5 groups of 6 elements. Weight 235 grams (8.25 oz). Uses 55mm filters. Construction is 6 elements in 5 groups.

35mm f/2.8 - Weight is 8.25 ounces. Uses 55mm filters and a 57mm clip-on hood. Excellent lens. Construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

35mm f/2.8 - Weight 8.5 ounces. Uses 55mm filters. Excellent lens. Construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

35mm f/2.8 - This latest version has a weight of 7.1 ounces. Construction is five elements in five groups. Filter - 55mm. Aperture Range: f/2.8-22.

40mm f/1.8- Made for the compact electroinc SLRs, the 40mm is a good compact lens. By all accounts very sharp. Uses 55mm filters. Lens construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Aperture Range: f/1.8-22.

50mm f/1.4 - Weight is 10.2 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Has seven elements in six groups. Close focus is 17.4 inches. Aperture Range: f/1.4-22.

50mm f/1.4 - Weight is 9.4 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Has seven elements in six groups. Aperture Range: f/1.4-22.

50mm f/1.7 - This 50mm f/1.7 had a construction of six elements in five groups. Weight is 8.5 ounces. Filter size is 55mm. Aperture Range: f/1.7-16.

50mm f/1.7 - This lens was originally designed for the Konica TC camera which was introduced in 1976. The lens weighs 7.4 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Construction 6 elements in 5 groups.

50mm f/1.8 - The cheaper 50mm range lens of the latter years. Weighs 4.9 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Close focus is 22 inches. Construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Aperture Range: f/1.8-22.

52mm f/1.8 - This was Konica's early economical 50mm range lens, usually found with older Konica SLRs. Lens construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Minimum focus is 18 inches. Weight of the lens is 7.5 ounces.

55mm f/3.5 Macro - Gives up to 1:1 magnification in macro mode with adapter, and focuses to infinity when used as a normal lens. Weight is 10.2 ounces, 13.8 with adapter, and uses 55mm filters. Construction 4 elements in 3 groups. Close focus is 9.8 inches, or 8.7 inches with included life-size adapter. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22.

57mm f/1.2 - Early silver-colored and black metal ring versions. Lens is either non-coated or just appears that way. It uses 62mm filters and weighs 16.2 ounces. Constructed of 7 elements in 6 groups. Close focus is 1.5 feet. Aperture Range: f/1.2-16. Apparently an earlier version existed of the f/1.2 that was rated and labled 58mm.

57mm f/1.2 - The finest f/1.2 lens ever made. It uses 62mm filters and weighs 16.2 ounces. It still commands high prices whenever you can find one. Over the years the optics never changed on this outstanding lens, although there have been cosmetic changes. Constructed of 7 elements in 6 groups. Close focus is 1.5 feet. Aperture Range: f/1.2-16.

57mm f/1.4- If you can't find a 57mm 1.2, get the 50 or 57mm 1.4. They are also excellent lenses, as are all the Hexanon 50mm range lenses. Construction is 6 elements in 5 groups. Weight is 10 ounces. Closest focus 1.5 feet.

85mm f/1.8 - One of the best portrait lenses ever made. Absolutely great. It weighs 14.7 ounces. It uses 58mm filters. This silver aperture ring variety is very hard to find, with all black, metal focus ring versions nearly as rare. Construction is of 6 elements in 5 groups. Close focus is 3 feet. Aperture Range: f/1.8-16.

85mm f/1.8 - One of the best portrait lenses ever made. Absolutely great. It weighs 13.8 ounces. This is all black version with rubberized focus ring. Filter size was reduced to 55mm. Hard to find and expensive, but still a top performer. Construction is of 6 elements in 5 groups. Close focus is 3 feet. Aperture Range: f/1.8-16.

100mm f/2.8 - Earliest model. It has a weight of 12.3 ounces. Construction is 5 elements in 4 groups. Filter size is 55mm. Angle of view is 24 degrees and close focus is 1 meter. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

100mm f/2.8 - An early brushed-chrome version. This lens weighs 10.9 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Construction is 5 elements in 4 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

100mm f/2.8 - Another good, and often overlooked, portrait/short telephoto lens. This is the version most commonly found. The 100 weighs 10.2 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Construction is 5 elements in 4 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16.

105mm f/4 Macro - Focuses from infinity down to 1.4 magnification with bellows, infinity to 0.23 with auto helicoid. Weight is 8.1 ounces and it uses 55mm filters. Construction is 5 elements in 3 groups. Aperture Range: f/4-22.

135mm f/2.5 - The 2.5 is 37% faster than a conventional 2.8 but this 2.5 lens is a very rare lens. It's a good lens but does have problems with flare at times. Weight is 22.9 ounces and takes 62mm filters. Comes with a built-in hood. Close focus is 4 feet. Construction: 4 elements in 4 groups. Aperture Range: f/2.5-16.

135mm f/3.2 - Probably the best of Konica's 135mm lenses. Not as fast as the f/2.5 but focuses a foot closer at 3 feet, and which is two feet closer than the f/3.5. In fact, it focuses as close as the 85mm. The f/3.2 takes 55mm filters. Weight is 13.8 ounces. Construction is five elements in four groups. Aperture Range: f/3.2-16.

135mm f/3.5 ARP- Manual preset lens with an aperture scale from f/3.5-22. Weight 13 ounces, and uses 55mm filters. Close focus is 1.5 meters. Construction is four elements in four groups. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22.

135mm f/3.5 - First EE model, with brushed-chrome ring and later all balck version. Non-locking EE setting. Basic lens construction same as later models, 4 elements in 4 groups. Weight is 13 ounces and it takes 55mm filters. Close focus is 1.5 meters. Aperture Range: f/3.5-16.

135mm f/3.5 - This is the most commonly found version. Weight is 11.1 ounces and it uses 55mm filters. Construction is four elements in four groups. Closest focus is five feet. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22.

200mm f/3.5 ARP - Manual preset lens, with scale from f/3.5 - 22. It uses 67mm filters and screw-in lens hood. Construction is 5 elements in 5 groups. Weight 870 grams (30.5 ounces). Closest focus is 8 feet.

200mm f/3.5 - An excellent and often hard to find lens. It uses 67mm filters. Built-in lens hood. Minimum focus is 8 feet. Construction is 5 elements in 4 groups. Weight 855 grams (30 ounces). Aperture Range: f/3.5-16.

200mm f/4 - Weight of the f/4 is a very friendly 18.2 ounces, compared to the previous f/3.5 lens. It takes 55mm filters. Mixed ratings on this lens, some like it and others find it only so-so, but most agree it's not in the same class as the f/3.5. It has a built-in hood. Construction is 5 elements in 5 groups. Close focus is 8 feet. Aperture Range: f/4-22.

200mm f/5.6 ARP - Manual preset lens, with scale from f/5.6 - 22. It uses 46mm filters and has a pull-out lens hood. Construction is 6 elements in 4 groups. Weight is 12.1 ounces.

300mm f/4.5 - Weight is 34 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. An excellent lens. As good as anyone else's and better than most. It's length, at 6.6 inches is less than an inch longer than the 200mm f/3.5. Construction is eight elements in five groups. Close focus is 13 feet. Aperture Range: f/4.5-16.

300mm f/6.3 - A bit slow but reportedly a good lens. It has a flourite element. Closer in size to the 200 f/4, it is easy to manage. Weight is 19.8 ounces and it uses 55mm filters. Close focus is 15 feet. Construction: 9 elements in 5 groups. Aperture Range: f/6.3-22.

400mm f/4.5 ARM - Very rare manual preset lens. It takes 55mm behind the lens filters. Aperture scale is f/4.5 - 32. Close focus is 25 feet. Construction is 4 groups, 4 elements. Weight is 5.9 pounds.

400mm f/4.5 - A newer version of the above lens. It's aperture scale ranges from f/4.5 - 45. It is also constructed of 4 groups and 4 elements. Weight is 5.3 pounds, with a length of 13.9 inches. It takes 55mm drop-in, behind the lens, filters. Aperture Range: f/4.5-45.

400mm UC f/5.6 - Weighs 3.5 pounds and uses 77mm filters. Konica's largest fully automatic lens. Construction is 9 elements in 5 groups. Closest focus is 13 feet. Aperture Range: f/5.6-45.

800mm f/8 ARM - Uses a 55mm behind the lens filter. Closest focus is 65.6 feet. Aperture scale is f/ -45. Weight 12.3 pounds. Construction: 2 elements in 1 group.

1000mm f/8 ARM - There may have been three or four versions of this large reflex lens. Available statistics are inconclusive. All seem to have had a lens construction of seven elements in six groups. Close focus is listed at from 82 to 91 feet. Weights found have been between 18.7 and 19.7 pounds. One listing shows a version using 67mm filters while most show 55mm filters. There is no doubt the lens exist. The only question is how many versions.

2000mm f/11 ARM - Filter-controlled light intake mechanism. Weight is about 39 pounds (18 kilograms) and uses 55mm behind the lens filters. Lens construction is 9 elements in 8 groups. Close focus is about 100 feet (40 meters). Has tripod turntable holder and detachable sight with specially designed tripod. Aperture Range: f/11-32.

The Zoom Hexanon Lenses

28-135mm f/4 Zoom - Weight is 28.4 ounces and it uses 67mm filters. This is Konica's widest range, fully automatic, zoom lens. Only the manual 58-400 f/4 ARM had a wider zoom range. Lens construction of the 28-135 is 18 elements in 12 groups. Close focus is 1.62 feet at 28mm and 5 feet at 135mm. Aperture Range: f/4-22 (f/4.6-26 at 135mm).

35-70mm f/3.5 Zoom - Weight 16.6 ounces and uses 62mm filters. Construction is nine elements in nine groups. Many claim this is the best of Konica's zoom lenses. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22.

35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Zoom - Eight groups with eight elements. Filter size is 55mm. This is a very light lens at 7.6 ounces, due to plastic construction. Close focus ranges from 14 to 31.5 inches. Aperture Range: f/3.5-22. Coming out in 1985, this may have been the last new lens introduced by Konica.

35-70mm f/4 Zoom - It has a construction of 8 elements in 7 groups and takes 55mm filters. Close focus is 2.4 feet. Weight of the lens is 13.8 ounces. Aperture Range: f/4-22. This lens replaced the 35-70mm f/3.5 and preceded the 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5.

35-100mm f/2.8 Verifocal - This is a huge lens for its range and speed. Weight is 36.4 ounces and it takes 82mm filters. Construction has 15 elements in 10 groups. Close focus is 10.6 inches at 35mm, 14 inches at 50mm, and 39 inches at 100mm. Aperture Range: f/2.8-16. This is a verifocal lens rather than a true zoom. Very rare.

45-100mm UC f/3.5 Zoom - Weight 20.1 ounces and uses 55mm filters. Some claim this as an expensive lens of average performance, while others find it to be quite good optically. It has a built-in lens hood. Close focus is 1.2 feet. Lens onstruction is of 11 elements in 10 groups. Aperture Range: f/3.5-16.

47-100mm f/3.5 AR-H Zoom - Fully automatic zoom. Weight is 15.8 ounces and it takes 52mm filters. Constructed of 13 elements in 8 groups. Close focus is 6.6 feet. This one was speciafically designed for the Konica Auto-Reflex half frame SLR and is extremely rare.

58-400mm f/4 ARM Zoom - A huge, heavy manual lens. Konica's widest ever range zoom lens. Weight is 9.5 pounds. It uses 55mm behind the lens filters. It has a lens construction of 14 elements in 9 groups. Aperture scale is F/4 - 32. Minimum focus is 16 feet.

65-135mm f/4 Zoom - The best of Konica's medium zoom lenses, according to Konica equipment author Lou Jacobs Jr. Lens construction is 13 elements in 9 groups. Minimum focus is 5 feet. Weight 21.2 ounces. Filter size is 55mm.

70-150mm f/4 Zoom - Very rare, despite it being one of Konica's late model lenses. Weight is 17.6 ounces and it uses 55mm filters. Lens construction is 15 elements in 12 groups. Close focus is 31.5 inches. Aperture Range: f/4-22.

70-230mm f/4.5 ARP Zoom - Manual preset zoom lens constructed of 13 elements in 8 groups. Uses 67mm filters. Weight is 2.85 pounds. Aperture Range: f/4.5-22.

80-200mm f/3.5 Zoom - Rare. Good performance lens. Has brushed-chrome ring. Uses 67mm filters. Construction is 17 elements in 10 groups. Close focus is 6 feet. Weight is 41 ounces. This is the only Konica zoom I use regularly. And, in fact only own one other, the 80-200mm f/4.5. It comes with a tripod collar, which needs to be used at its weight. I've tried some of the other zooms but prefer the prime lenses over Konica's.

80-200mm UC f/4 Zoom - Weight 29.3 ounces and uses 62mm filters. Reportedly has a big flare problem, so using built-in lens hood is essential. Focuses down to 2.3 feet, and has an aperture scale from f/4 to f/16. This is a two-touch lens, separate rings for focal lenth and focus. Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups.

80-200mm f/4 Zoom - The newest version of this lens. Very compact, with a weight of 20.7 ounces and filter size has been reduced to 55mm. It was also changed to a one-touch, push-pull design. Close focus is 6 feet. Construction is 12 elements in 9 groups. Aperture Range: f/4-22.

80-200mm f/4.5 Zoom - The slowest of Konica's 80-200mm's, this compact, lightweight lens of this range does a decent job. It weighs 18.8 ounces and focuses down to 3.6 feet from 80 to 135mm, and 5 feet from 150 to 200mm. Construction is 9 elements in 7 groups. Uses 55mm filters. I only use this lens when traveling very light, with my T4 or TC-X, but it works and balances well with heavier Konica cameras. Aperture Range: f/4.5-22.

Teleconverter AR 2X - Konica's focal length doubler. Rare. Six elements in five groups. Recommended for lens with a focal length of 40mm and longer. Weight is 8.1 ounces. It's a shame Konica never made a 1.4x or 1.5x teleconverter, but it's been reported that 1.5x teleconverters by Kiron, Vivitar and Soligor work quite well with Konica lenses.

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So, after seeing what Konica lenses are available, what lenses would I recommend, you might ask. That cannot be answered properly since everyone's needs are different. A basic set of lenses for someone doing primarily portraits would be totally different than someone primarily doing nature photography. Everyone should have a standard lens, that is one in the 40 to 57mm range. Additional lenses depend upon the type of photography you prefer. For portrait work lenses in the 85 to 135mm range are usually best. For group or panoramic-type pictures you might need a wide angle lens in the 21 to 35mm range. For wildlife, nature and sports photography telephoto lenses are usually needed. Telephoto lenses are normally considered those from 135mm and longer. Zoom lenses can cover a variety of functions, but quality is better with a fixed focal length lens.

For most people, those who want a basic system for taking family snap shots and for vacation use, two or three lenses is all you'll need. For the first fifteen years having my Konica T3, my only lenses were a 57mm standard and a 200mm telephoto, which supplied most of my needs at the time. But if you want my recommendations for a basic system, I would recommend any Konica SLR plus any of the 50mm, 52mm or 57mm lenses and a 200mm f/3.5 or 80-200 f/3.5 zoom lens. If you wanted to add a third lens to this group, I'd suggest a 100mm or 135mm for taking those precious pictures of your kids or grandchildren. And if you think you might need a wide angle for scenic views or family reunions, a 24mm or 28mm is a good choice for a wide angle lens.

My favorite Hexanon lenses are the 24mm f/2.8, 57mm f/1.2, 50mm f/1.7, 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2.8, 135mm f/3.2, 200mm f/3.5 prime's, and the 80-200mm f/3.5 zoom lens.

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Also see Third Party Lenses.

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