Konica Hexanon 2.8/24 for close-ups

[alex ph]

Back to a well regarded lens and using it in a less common application, i.e. not for landscapes but for close-ups.

Shots #2 and #3 are taken at MFD. Also "punchy" after a simple BW conversion, as #5 shows.

Sony Nex, apertures f2.8 and f4, then autocontrast and minor exposure / contrast tweaks.

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5

[Zamo]

You show it as what it supposedly is, a very nice lens. One I have not been able to find at a relative bargain price. I will keep looking...

[alex_d]

well, you should be very lucky to have this lens as is quite rare find.

with a 40/1.8 in the pocket - just very nice lightweight setup for every day photography

(*jealous*)

[jamaeolus]

I REALLY like the Konica 24mm 2.8.. I bought several. I have 2 copies of the very highly regarded f22 calculation one that is very nearly mint with mint case and near mint cap and another that I use pretty frequently its in good shape but has enough wear that the gentle use i subject my lenses to will not reduce its value much.i also have 4 of the earlier f16 versions. One is for sale on ebay right now. I give forum members a 10% discount.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266092919181

I must say I really like your images Alex. You do this fine optic justice!

[stevemark]

[jjphoto]

[stevemark]

[alex ph]

Thank you fellows for your kind words! When a wide lens works so good in close field, that makes a special pleasure.

If you wish to fish a decent or slightly fungused copy for a smaller price, look at local forums in your country. They are not always there, this is for certain. Still, if they come you may have one for half of what they are traded for in ebay. I presume, in Switzerland you may catch even a better chance, as Stephan describes his bounty hunting.

Stephan, thank you for the direct comparison of the two versions. It is well demonstrative, as always. Just one question. In your second (corners) comparison, the right side has a much more visible purple fringing, while the left side has very little of it. Is the sequence kept up: the older version is on the left and the newer on the right?

A couple more shots from the same set:

#1


#2


And here is an "unfair" presentation of the older version of the lens, with an image put through Nik Silver pipeline which lets a huge improvement of sharpness and contrast.

#3

[stevemark]

[jamaeolus]

I think both versions are quite good. The F22 version is slightly smaller. I would imagine a bit better coatings. But either one will take marvelous photographs in the hands of a decent photographer. If you are looking for that last little bit of IQ and have the money certainly geothermal F22 version. Most images most of the time you would be hard pressed to tell the difference without pixel peeping.

[jjphoto]

[stevemark]