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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Konishiroku Hexanon 35mm f/2.8
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Found recently at a junk store.
I bought it on spec and examined it later.
The aperture blades are sticky and won't close smoothly, otherwise it is in good condition.
No good on my Nikon D300 I am thinking.
What camera or cameras - with a viewfinder - would this lens be suited most easily to for use.
Also - any opinions on this lens - I am not familiar with it.
Thanks
OH





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I think it will require a mirror-less like NEX or a 4/3 due to short registration.


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I wish to buy from you, great lens I collect them , don't remember surely I have this pre-set version or not.

To mount you need a rare adapter Konica F -> Konica AR -> Konica -> mirror less camera.

Nikon is hope less, working distance allow may half meter to shoot. Lens register distance is 40,5 Nikon focal plance distance is 45mm.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/japenese/konica/konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8/?


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The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


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Excalibur wrote:
The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/Konica/konica_fp_konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8_fuji200/?

YES Smile


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Attila wrote:
Excalibur wrote:
The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/Konica/konica_fp_konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8_fuji200/?

YES Smile


Indeed Attila..it amazes me when people have asked how to use a Hexanon lens or e.g. FD lens on a DSLR when they can pick up a film camera for peanuts, a digital only guy just needs to use a film camera now and again and actually might enjoy the experience. Rolling Eyes


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Excalibur wrote:
Attila wrote:
Excalibur wrote:
The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/Konica/konica_fp_konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8_fuji200/?

YES Smile


Indeed Attila..it amazes me when people have asked how to use a Hexanon lens or e.g. FD lens on a DSLR when they can pick up a film camera for peanuts, a digital only guy just needs to use a film camera now and again and actually might enjoy the experience. Rolling Eyes


Hmm.
My film days are long behind me and I have no intention of going back.
MF lenses are for me today a pleasure to use and a link to the old days, but that's as far as it goes.
The advantages of digital don't need me to expound.
Don't get me wrong - I loved photography in my days of film, fell away from it in my middle years when I became too busy and re-discovered the passion with digital.
The topic is moot anyway, if I can't use the lens on a digital format camera I will be glad to sell it to someone who will.
Happy clicking
OH


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If you want to use a Hexanon lens then I believe trifox might be able to modify them, but if you want to use Hexanon lenses on a digital camera then, what I have read, an Olympus or Nex is suitable....but I'm not an expert on digital gear.


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OH:

The 35/2.8 is one of Konica's longest-standing lens designs. This is a "F" mount lens made sometime between 1960 and 1965. It's 6/5 optical construction lasted well into the "AR" mount period, from 1965, until 1981, when it was discontinued and replaced with a compact model.

By most accounts, the 35/2.8 is a very sharp and contrasty lens, but without any memorable personality traits (unlike the 35/2.0, made from early 1972). It might be somewhat different with the preset models, as they have a 12-blade aperture (I can't remember right now if the "F" mount version has a 12-blade aperture, but the "AR" preset lenses do). The "F" mount lenses also have their own distinct coatings which differ considerably from those on the early "AR" lenses. They have a light blue-grey hue, as opposed to the straw-amber colored coatings of the early "AR" lenses. Strangely enough, the same coatings can be found on the "AR" preset lenses.

In terms of useability on today's digital cameras, as Attila mentioned, finding the "F" to "AR" mount adapter is quite a feat, but it may be useful to remember that the film to flange distance on both mounts is the same (40.5mm), so maybe a way to affix the lens on a regular "AR" mount adapter could be found. The "F" mount diameter is narrow enough to fit inside the "AR" mount with room to spare.

Nice find in elegant looking shape. Congratulations.


Last edited by konicamera on Fri Jun 07, 2013 8:13 am; edited 1 time in total


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Thanks chaps for the feedback.
As Attila says: the mounting to mirrorless may be problematic
Quote:
To mount you need a rare adapter Konica F -> Konica AR -> Konica -> mirror less camera.

I am happy to pass this lens on to someone else who can use it as I can't see myself utilising it with my current equipment.
The 135mm sibling that I found with it has twelve blades in the diaphragm, and I think that this one does too but my old eyes let me down when I tried to count.
The 135 is completely original and in even better shape.
Cheers
OH


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Excalibur wrote:
Attila wrote:
Excalibur wrote:
The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/Konica/konica_fp_konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8_fuji200/?

YES Smile


Indeed Attila..it amazes me when people have asked how to use a Hexanon lens or e.g. FD lens on a DSLR when they can pick up a film camera for peanuts, a digital only guy just needs to use a film camera now and again and actually might enjoy the experience. Rolling Eyes

We should sympathise with OH a little more I think. Using a film camera is one thing, but being able to buy film and a
decent lab service at a reasonable price in Australia is another. I was very disappointed when I was there.


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peterqd wrote:
Excalibur wrote:
Attila wrote:
Excalibur wrote:
The easiest camera would be a film camera Wink


http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/japanese/Konica/konica_fp_konishiroku_hexanon_35mm_f2_8_fuji200/?

YES Smile


Indeed Attila..it amazes me when people have asked how to use a Hexanon lens or e.g. FD lens on a DSLR when they can pick up a film camera for peanuts, a digital only guy just needs to use a film camera now and again and actually might enjoy the experience. Rolling Eyes

We should sympathise with OH a little more I think. Using a film camera is one thing, but being able to buy film and a
decent lab service at a reasonable price in Australia is another. I was very disappointed when I was there.


Even harder to find in the countryside where I live
No matter
OH


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Oldhand wrote:
No matter
OH

Yes, Australia does have its compensations! Smile


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peterqd wrote:

We should sympathise with OH a little more I think. Using a film camera is one thing, but being able to buy film and a
decent lab service at a reasonable price in Australia is another. I was very disappointed when I was there.


Well that's a good reason not to use a film camera. Shocked


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When I was using film I did all my 0wn processing -negative, print and slides.
I d0n't miss it at all.
The biggest advantage 0f digital is the immediate feedback that is available and the 0pp0rtunity t0 re-sh00t as necessary.
The 0bject 0f all ph0t0graphy is the final 0ut0me after all, n0t just the c0llecti0n 0f camera gear.
There are many in 0ur camera club with GAS - gear acquisiti0n syndr0me) - s0mething I d0n't subscribe t0.
If I can use it - well and g00d - if n0t, pass it 0n t s0me0ne wh0 can.

My ap0l0gies - my keyb0ard started t0 die as I was typing this hence the makeshift characters
0H


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Oldhand wrote:
There are many in 0ur camera club with GAS - gear acquisiti0n syndr0me


Won't find anyone like that here Rolling Eyes


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konicamera wrote:
OH:

The 35/2.8 is one of Konica's longest-standing lens designs. This is a "F" mount lens made sometime between 1960 and 1965. It's 6/5 optical construction lasted well into the "AR" mount period, from 1965, until 1981, when it was discontinued and replaced with a compact model.

By most accounts, the 35/2.8 is a very sharp and contrasty lens, but without any memorable personality traits (unlike the 35/2.0, made from early 1972). It might be somewhat different with the preset models, as they have a 12-blade aperture (I can't remember right now if the "F" mount version has a 12-blade aperture, but the "AR" preset lenses do). The "F" mount lenses also have their own distinct coatings which differ considerably from those on the early "AR" lenses. They have a light blue-grey hue, as opposed to the straw-amber colored coatings of the early "AR" lenses. Strangely enough, the same coatings can be found on the "AR" preset lenses.

In terms of useability on today's digital cameras, as Attila mentioned, finding the "F" to "AR" mount adapter is quite a feat, but it may be useful to remember that the film to flange distance on both mounts is the same (40.5mm), so maybe a way to affix the lens on a regular "AR" mount adapter could be found. The "F" mount diameter is narrow enough to fit inside the "AR" mount with room to spare.

Nice find in elegant looking shape. Congratulations.


I have one of these and a later AR. Are they definitely the same? I have my doubts, the F version has a bigger front glass and they don't render the same, the F version is much better, and is the equal best 35mm lens I have tried with the Opton Biogon 2.8/35.


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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:


I have one of these and a later AR. Are they definitely the same? I have my doubts, the F version has a bigger front glass and they don't render the same, the F version is much better, and is the equal best 35mm lens I have tried with the Opton Biogon 2.8/35.


Hi Ian,

I have several Konica lens brochures from the "F" and "AR"mount periods before me and the optical construction (number of elements, their size, shape and arrangement) is absolutely identical for the 35/2.8 from 1960 to 1981. Perhaps the front retaining ring on your "F" Mount lens is narrower, leading to a larger-front-end impression...? If, however, you have a "F" mount 35mm lens with a markedly wider front end (like a 72mm filter thread), you have the 35 made for one year only (1960) for the Konica F, the first SLR with a speed of 1/2000s (does your lens have an aperture-to-light-meter indexing arm, like the old Exakta lenses?). If so, that lens is as common as hen's teeth, it's worth several hundred quid easy and I was so lucky (I hope you are), I wouldn't tell anyone I have it. Smile

Cheers,


Reply

konicamera wrote:
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:


I have one of these and a later AR. Are they definitely the same? I have my doubts, the F version has a bigger front glass and they don't render the same, the F version is much better, and is the equal best 35mm lens I have tried with the Opton Biogon 2.8/35.


Hi Ian,

I have several Konica lens brochures from the "F" and "AR"mount periods before me and the optical construction (number of elements, their size, shape and arrangement) is absolutely identical for the 35/2.8 from 1960 to 1981. Perhaps the front retaining ring on your "F" Mount lens is narrower, leading to a larger-front-end impression...? If, however, you have a "F" mount 35mm lens with a markedly wider front end (like a 72mm filter thread), you have the 35 made for one year only (1960) for the Konica F, the first SLR with a speed of 1/2000s (does your lens have an aperture-to-light-meter indexing arm, like the old Exakta lenses?). If so, that lens is as common as hen's teeth, it's worth several hundred quid easy and I was so lucky (I hope you are), I wouldn't tell anyone I have it. Smile

Cheers,



So there is no point searching for a "EE" version Question


Reply

konicamera wrote:
iangreenhalgh1 wrote:


I have one of these and a later AR. Are they definitely the same? I have my doubts, the F version has a bigger front glass and they don't render the same, the F version is much better, and is the equal best 35mm lens I have tried with the Opton Biogon 2.8/35.


Hi Ian,

I have several Konica lens brochures from the "F" and "AR"mount periods before me and the optical construction (number of elements, their size, shape and arrangement) is absolutely identical for the 35/2.8 from 1960 to 1981. Perhaps the front retaining ring on your "F" Mount lens is narrower, leading to a larger-front-end impression...? If, however, you have a "F" mount 35mm lens with a markedly wider front end (like a 72mm filter thread), you have the 35 made for one year only (1960) for the Konica F, the first SLR with a speed of 1/2000s (does your lens have an aperture-to-light-meter indexing arm, like the old Exakta lenses?). If so, that lens is as common as hen's teeth, it's worth several hundred quid easy and I was so lucky (I hope you are), I wouldn't tell anyone I have it. Smile

Cheers,


No, mine doesn't have that arm, never seen that version. I believe you that the design is the same, you wouldn't guess it from the outward appearance of the lenses however, and the earlier F one really is quite a lot better, it's outstanding imho, one of the very best lenses I have ever used. The AR one is excellent but not as good.

Thanks for the info, you've answered a query that's lingered in the back of my mind for a while.