Konica Hexanon 800mm f8

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1749

This seems rather an unusual lens. I was wondering whether anyone owns one of these, and if you do how do you like it?

The lens consists of two elements in one group. There is a requisite drop-in filter at the rear. This appears to be the longest focal length Hexanon lens which is not a mirror lens. There is a photo of the lens here, on page 12:

http://www.cameramanuals.org/konica/konica_lenses.pdf

I do not own a copy of this lens and I've never seen one offered for sale. I wish I did have one, but my suspicion is that this is a rare lens.

womble · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 987 Location: Hertfordshire

Looks a beast. These rare long lenses come up once in a while (e.g., the SMC Takumar 1000mm f8 or the SMC Pentax-A 1200mm f/ Cool

but not often and usually for far more than I could contemplate spending. The design of this one is extremely simple!

Hopefully someone will have more info.

K.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7555 Location: Hong Kong

Why not buy a more common third party 800/8 and try it yourself? They are also doublets. Wink

konicamera · Expire: 2014-06-14

konicamera · Expire: 2014-06-14

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1749

Thanks, everyone. Konicamera those photos are really terrific. It's difficult for me to imagine ever owning a lens that special. While I agree a less expensive 800 would be a treat, owning one with the Hexanon name would be truly amazing. But as I wrote earlier, I've never even seen a Hexanon 800 offered for sale!!

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1749

Taking the cue offered by konicamera I was able pretty easily to locate the auction for the Hexanon 800. Friends, this is MF lens porn of the highest order:

Click here to see on Ebay

As always with a closed auction you have to click see original listing.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9098 Location: Houston, Texas

The Tokina-made 800mm f/8 was made in at least one version that was modular. It was a two-piece design with different "heads" available. 400mm, 600mm, and 800mm. Like the Hexanon, it has gunsights to help the photographer line it up on a subject. Also, I suspect the optical formula was the same, or at least similar. I've seen the Tokina telephotos also with a Vivitar label. Back in my camera dealer days I owned a few. They came in a zippered case where the two sections sat side-by-side. Back in those days -- some 25 years ago -- there wasn't much interest in them and I ended up selling mine for a fraction of what I thought they were worth.

I have two Century Precision Optics telephotos, a 500mm f/5.6 and a 650mm /6.8, that are similar in construction to the Hexanon. I once discussed these lenses with the past president of CPO. He described both as having "well-corrected achromatic doublets." Just two elements, cemented together. Mine have an optical flat positioned in front of the doublet. I don't recall if they have anything at the rear; I'd have to look. Anyway, I can tell you from personal experience that a well-corrected achromatic doublet can render outstandingly sharp images with a minimum of CA. So, without using the Hexanon, I expect it is a very good lens. Chances are, the Tokina is very good also.