Konica SLR lenses 1960-1987

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Konishiroku Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
version for F bayonet

Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
version for Revue Auto-Reflex

Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1,8
Version for Revue SP

52 mm / 1:1.8
version for Revue Autoreflex TTL

Konica Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
early chrome ring version

Konica Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8
middle chrome ring version

Konica Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8
late all-black version

Konishiroku Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
Hexar 52 mm / 1:1.8
Konica Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8
52 mm / 1:1.8
Konica Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8

Lens data | Variations | Lens overview

The Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8 was introduced for the older F bayonet as budget normal lens – mostly sold together with the camera body. After Konica switched to the newer AR bayonet, the lens was also offered for this mount. It was finally dropped with the introduction of the Autoreflex T3 and supplanted with the improved normal lens Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1,7.

All lenses of this type – including the ones for the early F bayonet – have automatic apertures, manually closing the aperture before exposure is not necessary. The later variations for the AR bayonet additionally have an EE position for fully automatic exposure, where the camera body selects the aperture used. All lenses of this type have the older-style splined metal focusing ring, as the lens was discontinued with the design change to the focusing rings with checkered rubber inlays.

The earlier versions of the lens for the AR bayonet, that were sold togethter with the Auto-Reflex and Auto-Reflex P bodies or their Revue varieties Revue Auto-Reflex or Revue SP, do not yet have a coupling for the widest aperture. Thus, the built-in light meter of younger bodies with through-the-lens (TTL) metering does not give sensible results with these versions.

During the 60s, Konica sold some cameras in Germany over the Foto-Quelle stores; these cameras were labeled with Foto-Quelle's own brand Revue:

• Revue SR (Konica FP)
• Revue Auto-Reflex (Konica Auto-Reflex)
• Revue SP (Konica Auto-Reflex P)
• Revue Autoreflex TTL (Konica Autoreflex T)

In the USA there was a similar strategy, here the Konica FP was sold as Wards slr7000. For the F bayonet, the normal lenses sold with all these cameras were labeled Hexar 52 mm / 1:1.8, and for the newer AR bayonet they were labeled either Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8 (with Revue Auto-Reflex and Revue SP) or simply 52 mm / 1:1.8 (with Revue Autoreflex TTL) – without mention of Konica. The Revue versions had metric distance scales only, none in feet.

Apart from the labeling, these lenses are identical to the contemporary versions of the Konishiroku or Konica Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8, respectively.

On the version for the Revue SP, which has no light meter and therefore no possibility for automatic exposure, the engraved EE mark on the aperture ring is missing. However, the EE position exists and is marked with a yellow dot only. On an Auto-Reflex body with light meter and automatic exposure possibility, this lens can also be used in automatic mode.

Image quality of the lenses is quite decent, the Hexanon / Hexar / Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8 renders sharp and contrasty images with neutral colour balance – but especially in sharpness, the lens cannot compete with its successor model, the first-class Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.7. On a camera body with AR bayonet, you are better off with the successor model.

Due to the deeply recessed front element, the lens is not very sensitive to stray light. A matching, round metal screw-in lens hood with inner velvet lining was available from Konica as an accessory.

Beside the budget Hexanon / Hexar / Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8, Konica offered a faster and more expensive alternative, originally the Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.4. Later, shortly after Konica had switched to the AR bayonet, the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 was introduced instead.

The Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8 can be found quite frequently despite of its age and is rather cheap. In my opinion, it is only interesting for collectors who are looking for a historically correct lens for their old AR bayonet camera body. For photography, the successor model Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.7 is a better choice, which can likewise be bought very cheaply.

Variations

• (Uppermost image)
  Konishiroku Hexanon
  For F bayonet without coupling for light meter of Konica F
  chrome ring
  no EE position
• Hexar
  For F bayonet without coupling for light meter of Konica F
  chrome ring
  no EE position
• Konica Hexanon
  For AR bayonet without coupling for widest aperture
  chrome ring
  EE position (marked only with spot)
  without EE lock
• (Second image from top above)
  Hexanon
  For AR bayonet without coupling for widest aperture
  chrome ring
  EE position (marked with spot and yellow EE)
  without EE lock
  metric distance scale only
• (Third image from the top above)
  Hexanon
  For AR bayonet without coupling for widest aperture
  chrome ring
  EE position (marked with spot only, no EE mark)
  without EE lock
  metric distance scale only
• (Fourth image from top above)
  52 mm / F1.8
  For AR bayonet
  chrome ring
  yellow EE mark
  without EE lock
  metric distance scale only
• (Fifth image from top above)
  Konica Hexanon
  For AR bayonet
  chrome ring
  yellow EE mark
  without EE lock
• (Second image from bottom above)
  Konica Hexanon AR
  For AR bayonet
  chrome ring
  yellow EE mark
  with EE lock
• (Bottom image above)
  Konica Hexanon AR
  For AR bayonet
  all black
  yellow EE mark
  with EE lock

Lens data

More pages on the Konica Hexanon and Hexar lenses:

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