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Konica Hexanon 85mm F1.8
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 6:28 pm    Post subject: Konica Hexanon 85mm F1.8 Reply with quote
Anyone have any experience with this lens?

I have a Leitz Tele-Elmarit Thin 90/2.8 which is a lovely small, light lens that I can use wide open. The trouble is sometimes [especially for car photos] I'd like more separation. For portraits the DOF is more than adequate.

I have found a Konica Hexanon 85/1.8 but wondered how that would compare to the Leitz? I mean if I have to go to f/2.2 for good sharpness then 85/2.2 vs 90/2.8 is going to be a minimal difference really isn't it in real world terms?

For use on an A7 btw Smile


PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Search the forum for "Hexanon". You will find a good number of photographs demonstrating just how sharp that len can be.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
One stop faster than Leitz, one step better as well Smile I had that Leitz lens, sold it after a test, kept Konica.
I like Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f2.8 , super sharp wide open with better contrast than Konica or Leica. If you sell Leitz may you able to buy from it's sale price a Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4 which is trully one of the best fast lens in my experience or surely you can buy a Samyang 85mm f1.4 all my suggestions are better than Konica.


PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Maybe go longer? Say a Konica 135mm f2.5 - should be much cheaper, but no sure if your working distance would allow it.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Konica still doesn't look a bad size. I think the Samyang Rokinon 85/1.4 is a little bigger and heavier than I want. 135mm is too long - I have a Helios 135/2.8 but don't use it much. My usual lens is the Voigtlander CV40.

Thanks for the input so far though.


PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 8:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Its a great lens, I had the first version with 58mm filter size in high gloss version. I found that Canon FL, SSC & Canomatic Super R versions (never owned FD) are pretty similar in all respects. I sold the Canomatic, FL and Konica and kept the SSC 85. For practical use, I find Tamron 90mm f2.5 to be the best and much cheaper option than the 85s - much lighter too (52bb version)

Here is my recent thread with pictures regarding Konica: http://forum.mflenses.com/first-shots-konica-hexanon-and-canon-fl-85mm-1-8-t72873,highlight,+konica++85mm.html

Tamron 90 is here: http://forum.mflenses.com/tamron-adaptall-90mm-2-5-52bb-on-x-t1-t73034,highlight,%2Btamron+%2B90mm.html

Edit: Here is another Tamron image from last night @ 2.5 Shot in jpeg - Minor levels adjustment and resized/sharpened for web: SNXT6626

How about 135mm 1.8? or 2.0?


PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Like Dog I confirm it , Tamron is a great inexpensive alternative.


PostPosted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tamron is great but I find too much sharp for portraits Exclamation

I've heard great things about the Konica 85 1.8 though.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
RnR wrote:
Maybe go longer? Say a Konica 135mm f2.5 - should be much cheaper, but no sure if your working distance would allow it.


Here in America the 135/2.5 Hexanons are quite dear when you can find one. Not saying they are as dear as the 85 . . . but "much cheaper" . . . . I dunno about that here. Acknowledge the situation in Oz could be very different. If the 135/2.5 lenses are inexpensive there, I would suggest to accumulate them.

I do not own either lens. Wish I did. But both very expensive.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of my favorite lens is 135mm 2.5 , usually inexpensive. Konica was premium brand in past, oldest Japanese maker, like Zeiss in Europe. Their price level dramatically drop down these days one of the best purchase Konica and Minolta, due none of them usable on DSLR.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
StyxD wrote:
Tamron is great but I find too much sharp for portraits Exclamation

I've heard great things about the Konica 85 1.8 though.


Sharpness is something you can always reduce but never add... I like my portraits with sharp eyes and soft skin Smile


PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
guardian wrote:
Here in America the 135/2.5 Hexanons are quite dear when you can find one. Not saying they are as dear as the 85 . . . but "much cheaper" . . . . I dunno about that here. Acknowledge the situation in Oz could be very different. If the 135/2.5 lenses are inexpensive there, I would suggest to accumulate them.

I do not own either lens. Wish I did. But both very expensive.


Fair point. My copy was something like $AU31 from ebay. Two bidders. The AU market is a touch weird at times. I think its to do with our distance from other markets. Usually sellers don't want the hassle of overseas drama's so they restrict the auction to just Australia.

If I see another copy undervalued to a similar degree, I'll ping ya Very Happy But yeah, they are also fairly rare.


PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I would suggest the Minolta MD 85mm F2 if you can find it.

Brilliant lens, and very sharp, great contrast. Typical Minolta colours.
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