Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!
SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Konica Zoom-Hexanon UC 4/80-200
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:25 pm    Post subject: Konica Zoom-Hexanon UC 4/80-200 Reply with quote
This is a first class zoom lens, one of the best, but I still don't like it much. On the NEX, it's far too big and heavy and lacking a tripod collar it waggles around a lot on a tripod. Focusing is difficult and not being parfocal, you have to refocus every time you zoom. The IQ is excellent for a zoom lens, but mediocre compared to the Hexanon primes, particularly in the CA and sharpness, the contrast and flare resistance is excellent due to the UC coatings.

#1 f4, 80mm


100% crop, sharp enough but some CA


#2 f8, 80mm


100% crop, poor sharpness, glow and CA


#3 f8, 200mm


100% crop, poor sharpness, glow and CA


#4 f4, 80mm, fairly ugly bokeh


100% crop, soft, glow, CA


#5 f5.6, 80mm, fairly ugly bokeh


100% crop, a bit sharper but still a bit soft, glow and CA


#6 f4, 200mm


100% crop, soft, glowy, CA


#7 f5.6, 200mm


100% crop, marginally sharp, still some CA


#8 f8, 200mm


100% crop, becomes quite sharp at f8


#9 f8, 100mm


100% crop, gets nice and sharp at f8


#10 f8, 100mm


Pros:

Excellent IQ for a zoom
Superb coatings
Very well built

Cons:

Huge, heavy, unsuitable for a NEX
Hard to focus
Not parfocal
Needs to be closed to f8 to get best results
No tripod collar
Not as good as a prime Hexanon

Conclusion:

Big, heavy, awkward and inconvenient and offering only so-so performance compared to a top prime lens. Even one of the best zooms like this is no replacement for a good prime.


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice summary , thank you! I love mine Smile


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I like it a lot on a Konica SLR, just a bit of an unwieldy beast on a NEX.


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It's all about 'expectation' Ian, if I bought that lens back in the day I think I'd have been very happy. I remember buying zooms back in the 1970's and 80's and being hugely disappointed, I actually bought some zoom or another at Ritz Camera in Los Angeles thinking that the price difference to the UK would mean that spending $100 would get me a quality lens that would cost £200 in the UK, it was rubbish. But I still have the EOS fit Tamron 24-70 Aspherical that I bought in the early 80's, it's a great and versatile lens. I took thousands of slides and pictures with that lens with very few bad pictures that I could blame on the lens. I still have 8 x 10 Cibachrome prints on the wall from that lens, and the detail is such that I could easily have doubled the print size.
Actually, if I bought that Hexanon lens today I'd be happy with it - as a versatile zoom lens that delivers the images you have shown. Wink


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Oh yeah, I agree, it's a very good lens, definitely very capable. It's the best longer zoom I've ever tried, beating even the superb Tokina AT-X/Mamiya/Rollei Rolleinar/Voigtlander Vario-Dynar 4/80-200.

Probably the only comparable zooms that might be better than this Konica are the Canon FD L 4/80-200 and the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200. Leica will have something as well, but for too much money.

All that said though, I have several primes in the 80-200 range that are better, sharper, don't have the CA, so I'd prefer to use those.

Maybe I've become a lens snob? Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just simple we are lucky we can afford many lens, instead of one good zoom.


PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
Just simple we are lucky we can afford many lens, instead of one good zoom.


Very true, something like this Zoom-Hexanon would be several thousand new today and far out of my reach.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Oh yeah, I agree, it's a very good lens, definitely very capable. It's the best longer zoom I've ever tried, beating even the superb Tokina AT-X/Mamiya/Rollei Rolleinar/Voigtlander Vario-Dynar 4/80-200.

Probably the only comparable zooms that might be better than this Konica are the Canon FD L 4/80-200 and the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200. Leica will have something as well, but for too much money.

All that said though, I have several primes in the 80-200 range that are better, sharper, don't have the CA, so I'd prefer to use those.

Maybe I've become a lens snob? Rolling Eyes


you forgot mentioned World's fastest telephoto zoom at time of production, The Nikkor 80-200/2.8 ED ais, only 1600 units produced. from what I read it was great lens


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, true, good point. I was just thinking of lenses with comparable specifications, the Nikon is a different kettle of fish, an exotic tool for high-end pros.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:47 am    Post subject: Re: Konica Zoom-Hexanon UC 4/80-200 Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
This is a first class zoom lens, one of the best, but I still don't like it much. On the NEX, it's far too big and heavy and lacking a tripod collar it waggles around a lot on a tripod.


Reminds me of when I tried to teach my bulldog to ride a skateboard. Great dog. Great skateboard. Didn't work. Go figure.

Last edited by frenched on Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:52 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
LOL, good analogy.I was a bit worried about th emount on the NEX getting damaged by having such a huge heavy thing hanging off it while it was on the tripod.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The alloy framed NEX5 seems very rigid with a big lens on it, it looks flimsy and as though it break, but it holds up very well. I much prefer a lens ring on a big lens though.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes, even the plastic NEX-3 I have has proved to be very robust, mine has been used a hell of a lot with all kinds of lenses and dropped a few times, but still works perfectly. I agree though, I much prefer a tripod mount on a big hefty lens. Smile


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Yes, even the plastic NEX-3 I have has proved to be very robust, mine has been used a hell of a lot with all kinds of lenses and dropped a few times, but still works perfectly. I agree though, I much prefer a tripod mount on a big hefty lens. Smile


Ohhhh....Ian....now i have the necesity to buy the 4/70-150 konica zoom again.

I don't need it, but want it NOW!!!!!

Very Happy Very Happy Embarassed


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The 4/70-150 is superb, I think as good as most 135 primes.

I have a very nice Kiron 4/70-150 in Konica mount as well, if you would like to have it, it's yours for the postage cost.

I'll take my Konica 4/70-150 out today and shoot it, if you'd like me to shoot the Kiron too so you can see how they compare, I will do so.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I have a very nice Kiron 4/70-150 in Konica mount as well, if you would like to have it, it's yours for the postage cost.


Ian, if Dr. Juan doesn't take you up on your very kind offer could I be next in line? I've been looking for a high quality zoom in this focal length for my Konica T3N but I can't afford the prices atm being asked for the Konica zoom.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 5:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Certainly Ed, you would be most welcome to it.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ian, very nice summary. I have this lens, and used it for an hour or so. As you say, the image quality is unmatched ( I'm thinking that I need to do some comparisons with Minolta and the Viv Series 1's), but it is so heavy and unwieldy. I have a few of the Konica zooms (one has a tripod color).


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
The 4/70-150 is superb, I think as good as most 135 primes.

I have a very nice Kiron 4/70-150 in Konica mount as well, if you would like to have it, it's yours for the postage cost.

I'll take my Konica 4/70-150 out today and shoot it, if you'd like me to shoot the Kiron too so you can see how they compare, I will do so.


Thank you. Very much. But it's too late for me. I just purchase the konica lens. Have not readed the post before.

I apologice for that.


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good news for Edgar Very Happy


PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No problem Juan,enjoy your purchase.

Ed's lucky day, shoot me a PM and we'll sort it out.

Now I have to root in my cupboard and find it! Smile


PostPosted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
PM sent.
Post new topic   Reply to topic
Home   Manual Focus Lenses
Page 1 of 1