Konica Prime Lenses - High Quality Glass - For Peanuts!

[@Youthure]

Crazy. I just searched for “Konica” to find some history and find a video that was uploaded an hour ago by a channel I’m subscribed to 🤯

[@zenography7923]

Synchronicity!

[@Youthure]

Zenography The only logical explanation!

[@johnbradshaw5900]

Another great video! Konica is arguably the greatest hidden gem of optics. Even in the 80's I remember Konica cameras being a very niche choice yet their optics even then were extremely highly regarded by those who knew about them. Even Fujifilm cameras (which was also a niche player in film days in terms of cameras and lenses) had a higher profile. They had a second wind near the end of the Konica camera line ( they merged with Minolta and of course Konica-Minolta was bought by Sony) with the wonderful Hexar compact and range finder cameras which still enjoy a cult following.

[@spotsill]

Excellent review of vintage gear as always. I could listen to your pleasant voice all day .

[@davidpostma9862]

I appreciate the sample photos you present which accurately match your description and overall presentation. Your KZbins are refreshing to me as also to many others, I’m quite sure.

[@stephenreynolds6414]

I am growing to love these lenses. Recently picked up a 35mm f2.8 preset, along with a 40mm f1.8 to add to my 50mm f1.8, 135mm f3.5 and 80-200mm f4.5. Awesome lenses and very sharp.

[@zenography7923]

My favourite is the 40mm - very hard to beat for the price!

[@damonwood4908]

Great review. I have all three of these and others all from a fateful purchase of the 50mm f1.7 a few years ago now which quite honestly blew me away! Was a massive Olympus OM Zuiko fan but found Konica to be a better value vs performance buy than any other vintage lens manufacturer, so I am a self confessed KonicaHexaholic!!

[@emersoncaspian8726]

Instablaster...

[@ranchupics3919]

Great stuff, I love Konica gear, cameras as well as lenses. I picked my 40mm up with a FS1 SLR and was lucky enough to get a fold out poster showing their lens lineup at the time the camera was produced. They made everything from a 15mm f2.8 fisheye to an 800 mm f8 telephoto.

[@mart3058]

Could you share the poster with us?! Sounds very interesting

[@ranchupics3919]

Hi Mart, it’s surprisingly large so difficult to share but here is an image from another site - static.pacificrimcamera.com/images/162736.jpg

[@mart3058]

@@ranchupics3919 Ah I see haha, cheers though that's a lot of equipment.

[@DominikMarczuk]

I've just bought the Konica Hexanon 50 f1.7. Not the same version as you; mine's the previous version, which focuses down to 45 cm and has aperture clicks at half stops. I don't know if these two differ in terms of sharpness but I've done an MTF table test and compared it to my Pancolar 50 f1.8. Shockingly, it turned out to be sharper than the Pancolar, which was the sharpest vintage lens in my kit. Granted, there might be some variation between lenses and perhaps my Konica is above average and/or my Pancolar could be below average. I will take it for a spin this weekend, maybe along with one of my other Hexanons.

[@Magnetron692]

Hi Nigel, thank you very much for uploading! Yesterday my Konica Hexanon AR 4.0/200 mm arrived in top mint condition which I purchased for less than 50 Euros! Very nice lens indeed! The appropriate adapter for my Nikon Z6 to the AR lens mount I purchased from K&F concept. Very well crafted. By the way, I have new photos made with its Minolta counterpart in conjunction with the Minolta 300-S teleconverter. If you wish, I could send you some images. Just let me know. They are remarkable!! Best wishes, Ralf

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

Hello Zenography, I am going to comment on the 50 f1.7 that you have. Konica originally had a very good 52mm f1.8 lens in its early years, then switched to a 50 f1.7 design which it kept for many years until the T3 autoreflex camera model that lens remained the standard lens. When the other brands began to use electronics in their cameras Konica continued with their purely mechanical systems but in order to continue competing they had to lower production costs and it is in this context that the autoreflex TC appears, a competent camera but compared to the previous ones T was much more basic and cheaper, at that time they also changed the formula and the construction materials of the AR Hexanon 50mm f1.7 considered a little inferior to the previous one although they have the same name. It's a bit shorter and the focus ring has 4 grip lines instead of 5 and in the former one the serial number was in the front of the lens.

[@blotafton]

There are four Konica 135mm's that I know of. Hexanon 135mm f/2.5 Hexanon 135mm f/3.2 Hexanon 135mm f/3.5 Hexar 135mm f/3.5 The best ones are the 2.5 and 3.2.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info!

[@MrGranovski]

the f3.2 ones are the best ones. I own all 3 versions.

[@barrysperonello5822]

@@MrGranovski I was reading a history of Konica lenses, and apparently there were multiple generations of the 135/3.2 lens. Do you know if they perform similarly, or if one is preferred? Which one was reviewed?

[@bebopganymede]

That 2.5 aperture sounds 🤤

[@klpinfl127]

@@MrGranovski I also own all 3 and you are absolutely correct. The 3.2 is the sharpest of the bunch.

[@aerialfilm1]

28, 50 and 135 were my first lenses with my first camera. None were the fast pro lenses, but I learned a lot with them and forty years later I still see and compose in those focal lengths. My photography was much better when I didn’t have money to buy my wish list kit. Now as an adult with more financial flexibility, the quality and enjoyment of my photography is suffering from too many options.

[@zenography7923]

Oh man, I know exactly what you mean!

[@GeorgeK356]

@@zenography7923 Ain't that the truth. I got really tired of my Nokon DSLR's, shooting just wasn't as fun anymore. To lift me out of my rut I bought a Fijifilm X Mout camera, secondhand but hardly used, an X-E1. I was blown away by the quality, but more than that, it allowed me to use all my old film lenses which were worth zero secondhand - Helios, some old Vivitar and Soligor lenses - cheap at the time but coupled to the Fuji body via an adapter they give remarkable results. So much so that I bought my wife a Fuji X-A5 and myself a second body, an X-E2S. Photography is fun again, and a big part of that fun is searching out cheap film lenses from little secondhand shops, pawn shops and used camera shops. Fantastic YT site, Zen, keep up the good work (but don't tell too many people as our lens costs will rocket, lol)

[@zirvecibekir3844]

Excellent review. Thanks !. I have a Konica Autoeeflex T3 camera and f.1.1.4/ 50 mm, f 2.8/35 mm and f3.2/ 135 mm Konica Hexanon AR mount lenses. I use them with an adapter on my Sony Nex 5 T machine. Konica Hexanon AR lenses are great! From Türkiye with love.

[@devolution1310]

Don`t forget the 57mm F1.4. As you would say, a lovely lens that has beautiful creamy bokeh and is very sharp when stopped down .

[@zenography7923]

That sounds like a nice lens!

[@GustavLjungdahl]

I have so many of this and I love them it is my dads old that hi used in his un service in the 70´s so it is cool to give them new life

[@zenography7923]

Cool is the word my friend - enjoy!

[@paulgood2218]

The 135mm f3.2 is a true gem mine is as sharp as most modern lens

[@kogabriga7537]

Bravo,endlich ein Video über konica und konica objektive,für mich gehören die objektive zu den besten,vorallem schärfe und Farbe.das 40mn/1,8 objektiv bestens geeignet zum adaptieren auf digital Kameras,konica objektive sind total unterschätzt und etwas in Vergessenheit geraten trotz der großen Bandbreite an sehr guten objektiven,Danke für das video das den Leute die sehr guten Linsen von konica etwas näher bringt.

[@Ali.lensman]

Good review and great advice sir, I was recently thinking about the best way to store vintage lenses, and somehow I felt the best way is to keep the blades fully open (aperture closed), and here you are mentioned it in the video 😊

[@epicon6]

I have a mint 50mm 1.5 AR and i really recommend it. It had been unused for about 35 years and it's exactly like new

[@zenography7923]

Oh my gosh, it sounds wonderful!

[@paulthomas8986]

These lenses look brilliant. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.

[@ipokefan4]

I picked up a Konica FT-1 with a 50mm f/1.8 Hexanon AR lens a month or two back, and that glass is some of my favorite!

[@zenography7923]

It's really quite something, isn't it?

[@wwtoonlinkfan]

Got a cheapo Konica Autoreflex TC off of Ebay, and it came with the 50mm f1.7 lens. While the camera needs some work, the lens seems to be perfect (aside from the expected dust in the lens, which shouldn't cause any problems from what I've seen). No fungus, either. Considering the price I paid for the camera ($27 with shipping) I think it was worth it for the lens alone.

[@perjrgensen5660]

Thank you for another Nice video. 🙏 Is the Sony adapter to the Konica lens the same as to the Minolta? Thank you. 🙏

[@photohiker81]

Love my 40mm f1. 8 8 on my "vintage" Sony A7, can't wait to get my 85mm 1.8 I just bought tot 100 bugs

[@zenography7923]

85mm 1.8 - now that sounds nice!

[@stegra]

I would love to get the 85mm for my Konica Autoreflex TC as a portrait lens, but the cheapest one on eBay is $250.

[@estevao69]

Great! The 135 3.2 is really awesome. I have also a 35 2.8 and a 52 1.8, that have a colour rendition similar as the 135. I´d like to prove the 50 1.4 and also de 40 1.8 too.

[@zenography7923]

The Konica 40 is one of my favourite lenses, bar none!

[@martinda7446]

Really like that 135!

[@zenography7923]

It's pretty nice!

[@christopherleecowan]

I got quite a few Konica lenses now. If i didn't get a full spectrum modification done on my Canon R I would have never stumbled upon wonderful vintage lenses. The Konica lens were well priced at the time and great for infrared photography. If I did it over i might have went with Olympus or Takamar's. I still may pick some of them up in the future. I have a new appreciation for vintage lenses i have a number of old Nikon's and a Zeiss lens now.

[@zenography7923]

Some of the Konicas are hard to beat - especially my personal favourite the 40mm f1.8.

[@IdleSummer]

Really like that 28!

[@zenography7923]

Indeed, a nice little lens!

[@harryonbackroads7062]

If you like Konica, you must definitely try the 57mm 1.4. The 300mm is also a lot of fun!

[@zenography7923]

Hmm, they sound interesting...

[@jonlouis2582]

Good point.

[@daniel635biturbo]

I can confirm, since I bought my 57 f1,4 it's my new favourite. Maybe an unfair comparison, but at the same focal length it really blows my Helios 44-2 to pieces. With that said it also cost three times the Helios.

[@paulgood2218]

I have the 57mm f1.4 and I'm not happy with it at all not near as sharp as the 135 f3.2 , the 50mm f1.4 I have to stop down to above f4 for it to be good and it's completely unusable wide open . At least my copy

[@vincentdiggins5191]

Thanks, for the great video. Wonderful pictures from these lenses. I'm a big fan of the Konica glass.

[@Digital_Photog1995]

2024 update prices have gone up significantly since this was done. I have all of these lenses and paid a fair price in 2020-2021. Best but was a Hexagon 300mm f4.5 lens that appeared to have haze and or fungus for $50. USD. Rear element was cloudy but on the glass I could clean easily without disassembled.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Great review as always. However, t would be nice if you, at least from time to time, review those old lenses on a film camera, like the one you got here, the Konica FS1. At least in my mind...

[@collinmclaren6608]

I haven't had much luck with the Konica Hexanon mount so far. I'd gotten a 200mm f/3.5 from an antique shop, which is what introduced me to the mount. It ended up turning into a $50 paper weight, being outrageously heavy and bulky, mediocre image quality, and purple fringing out the wazoo. I later got two third party Konica mount lenses, the Sigma Mini-Wide and a Vivitar 80-200mm macro. The former is probably my favourite; decently sharp, has macro capabilities, but is thick in haze. The latter has similar image quality faults to the 200mm. They've kind of left a sour taste in my mouth, I haven't been as eager to buy up more of the mount.

[@optrader1948]

You did not mention the name of your camera. I bought a couple of Fotasy KR-FE off Ebay....they work great on a Sony E-mount camera. . I have the 28/3.5, 52/1.8, 40/1.8.

[@philmtx3fr]

Hi Nigel thx for this video. is the 50mm f1.8 optically as good as the f1.7 or inferior ?

[@heroaomedia]

I was disappointed to see that Konica has a bit of busy bokeh/background blur. And so I'm now going through your entire channel at the moment lol. If we're talking about an entire line up (and not just individual lenses), what lens line-up has the smoothest background blur? From a couple of your 50mm comparison videos, it seems that Canon FD won by a long shot. But would you say Canon FD is the smoothest or is there another lens line-up that you've found that is better or is equal? Your Canon FD line-up comparison seems to indicate that it's the best in terms of smooth bokeh without an unsweet spot. Minolta, Zuiko, and Takumar seem to all have unsweet spots from your comparisons - Pentax M perhaps?. Would love your thoughts! And thanks for all your great videos!

[@BenTascon]

Very good lens. I have : 28mm f:1.8, 40 mm f:1.8, 57mm f: 1.4 and 35-70mm f:3.5 constant. On Sony Nex-6. I'm looking for Konica 21mm 2.8 and change my Nex-6 for Sony A7. I

[@donwallace7354]

Thank you for the insight. I just stumbled upon the 28/3.5 at a local thrift store, with the case. It had been there for a while, so it was marked down to US$10! A Nikkormat body was likewise marked down to US$12.50.

[@zenography7923]

Wow, you certainly got lucky there, well done!

[@aaronramos6056]

Thanks for the advice to store lens with apperture closed. I never do it. I'm going to now!

[@rubenzamora3326]

I bought a very clean 28mm f3.5 of eBay about 6 months ago and it's extremely sharp. I use mine with a Sony A7iii.

[@zenography7923]

It's a great little lens - enjoy!

[@apostolicbible1]

I just picked up a Magnum 24mm 3.5 f22 lens with an AR mount, but I can't find any mention of a Magnum "Made in Japan" lens anywhere, and I have looked a lot. Someone mentions that the Konica 24mm 3.5 f22 lenses were made by Tamron...maybe this one?

[@zenography7923]

It's hard to say for sure, but many third party lenses were made by Cosina, Vivitar, and some by Tamron too.

[@kommissarjupiter7667]

Will you take a look at Ricoh cameras and lenses after you're done with Konica ? Also what do you think about the Konica FS 1 ? Is it worth it (Found a good offer for one with the 40mm f1.8) ? I am looking to replace my aging Fujica ST901. My Fujica still works perfectly and meters fine but using non EBC-lenses is a pain because the DOF preview button requires you to turn and then press it, which sucks in combination with the lackluster ergonomics of the ST901. Also EBC lenses are hard to come by since many just file down the aperture coupling tab.

[@ronaldsand3000]

Nice and sharp with punchy colours 👍

[@zenography7923]

Thanks!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

as far as i remember, the 50 1.8 took over after the 50 1.7,, in my experience owning both,, the later 50 1.8 has a superior coating leading to more contrast, less glow and a little more sharpness wide open as a result.... its underestimated,, i dont understand why all the hype is about the 1.7 and not the 1.8... i hope you will get you hand on one... the konica results remind me of minolta rokkor, but just better... i luw the konica,, my konica 50 1.8 and pentacon prakticar 50 1.7 beats my takumar 1.8 and 1.4, my olympus 1.8 and 1.4, actually all my vintage lenses...

[@zenography7923]

They sound like very nice lenses! My own gold standard for 50mm lenses is the CZJ Pancolar 50 1.8 - beats anything I've ever tried, bar none - and I keep trying!

[@jeghedderhenrik]

@@zenography7923 ive been looking for a pancolar since i ve seen yuorvideos, byt only found 2 so far, but a zebra, 1 was prised 80 pound ,the other have to relubricated, i dont feel like doing any opening a pancolar, i resently wrecked a konica 57 mm 1.4 ,that was a bad day

[@jeghedderhenrik]

@@zenography7923 i get more and more convinced that pancolar practicar version i almost a pancolar, the result seems identical

[@N0rdman]

Thank you for that; I too found the Konica after so many years and found them absolutely amazing. It's difficult NOT to try and get some more, although I pretty much have the same setup as you. A 35mm and a 24mm would be nice too.

[@zenography7923]

Lovely lenses, and bargains right now too!

[@MichaelRusso]

Konica makes great optics. Their rangefinders of the time are wonderful.

[@j.c.103]

the Konica Autoreflex SLR's too !

[@morrisbagnall2690]

I've got three on the way from an auction lot with an Autoreflex TC. 40mm F/1.8 & 28mm F/3.5 & 70-150mm F/4. Hopefully there are no major issues, I'll find out tomorrow. £57.50 including all costs. Not bad!

[@zenography7923]

Certainly a good price - how did you get on with the lenses?

[@morrisbagnall2690]

@@zenography7923 All look very good, the zoom having a couple of spots of dust under the front element. They do make good lens cases compared to my Tamron. Sadly the TC seems to only want to fire at around 1/125 at speeds of 1/125 and above. I thought it might be a default when there isn't battery power but from what I have read that shouldn't be the case. Shame as it is a lovely camera.

[@TourPro]

You must try the 52mm f/1.8 .... it's very nice.

[@optrader1948]

I have one too. It is nice. Like the colors. It is quite sharp.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Shhh, don't tell ebay! :-)

[@photographyforenjoyment]

Worth pointing out that buyers need to be aware that these are 'AR' lenses, released for the Autoreflex range of Konica's in the 70-80's and NOT the much earlier 'F' mount glass from the 60's. The company has a long and distinguished history, merging with Minolta in the early 2000's before the whole imaging division was closed/sold to Sony - whatever became of them I wonder..!?

[@zenography7923]

Apparently they're heavily involved in printer technology today!

[@parker6634]

have a bunch of them,very nice lens ..last bought was a 35/2

[@MrGranovski]

For sure they're best. I have a whole collection of them. By the way, I live in Hope, British Columbia. One time here met a nurse from Liverpool and she told me a funny: "Drop kick and bottle." A Liverpool saying.

[@zenography7923]

Spoken like a true scouser!

[@fatpat9378]

Argghh, subtitles in korean !!! translated into french, it looks like a manual for using a vacuum cleaner of an unknown sub-brand :))))

[@JHuntPhotography0]

Stop making the prices rise!! Wait until I buy them first.

[@slam5]

these will working on sony a6x00 crop? no adapter needed, right? these fast lens are perfect for the a6500 especially considering the price.

[@WraithCalling]

Shhhhh.. I have a few Konica lenses I use on my Konica Autoreflex T2. I just recently started to adapt them for digital use. lol I am still trying to find that 85mm for a good price.

[@zenography7923]

Aren't we all!

[@ki001]

You should try the 135mm F/2.5, hint, it’s a bloody brilliant gem.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for one!

[@fjellvaak]

Thanks for confirming my own experiense! What adapter are you using to the A7?

[@fjellvaak]

...remember - Sony bought Konica ....

[@amsterkiwi]

Another nice helpful video. Thank you!

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@nocommentnoname1111]

How about a Zeiss 50mm 1.7/1.4 CY?

[@Horaczkocom]

It is possible to buy adapter with focus confirmation chip ? For Sony?

[@rubenzamora3326]

I own the AR 28mm f3.5. I use it with my Sony a7iii I get some amazing shots.

[@zenography7923]

I've heard that's a very nice lens - enjoy!

[@blagorodproduction]

Hi! Which lenses do you prefer: Konica 28 or Takumar 28 or Pentax-m 28 or Chinon 28 f/3.5?

[@zenography7923]

It's a hard choice between the m28 and the Konica - I think the Konica, for its colours!

[@blagorodproduction]

@@zenography7923 thanks))

[@carbonejack]

Nice review.

[@AramKaptein]

Great review. 👍

[@hansconley]

Have you ever tried a Sun lens? I use them and was wondering what your thoughts would be.

[@zenography7923]

Only one - a 135mm 2.8 - which to my surprise was a very nice lens!

[@aakifaslam6098]

Shhhh the prices are already high 😩

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Thank you for the lesson

[@zenography7923]

My pleasure!

[@jonlouis2582]

Most of my Konica lenses are pretty good, except the later, cheaper 28/3.5, which is poor. In general I would say my Minolta lenses are a little sharper in this price range. Not that sharpness is everything, as you have shown.

[@optrader1948]

My copy of the 28/3.5 is quite sharp. Stop it down to 5.6 and it is very sharp.

[@georgehuman7253]

How good is Konica FS-1 camera btw? I got T3 and cant find meter batteries :(

[@zenography7923]

The FS-1, although I haven't used it with film yet, seems a very nice camera indeed. Compact, with a motor wind that rewinds automatically too but doesn't pull the whole of the film into the can - ideal for me as I use a daylight developing tank! They do have issues though - mine has a common fault where auto exposure only works for two shots, after which the aperture closes down and won't open. Works fine on manual though!

[@roseedfleming6332]

I have 2 Konica TC bodies and a Konica Hexanon 50mm 1.4 also a Tamron 60-300 a Tamron 28 f2.5 and a Sigma 35-70mm 2.8-4 is anybody interested?

[@MartR80]

👍🏻 Thank you very much for yet another 🤩 satisfying and meditative 🔭 lens video. ❤️ I will surely buy more hexanon objectives in nearby future... Hmmm 57 1.2 ?? 🤔 I use the (rare) Hexanon35mm F2 adapted on my FujiFilm X kit. I would love to see you try and do a review about that lens. I will add a review of the Hexanon 35 F2 from Mathieu Stern. 😘

[@MartR80]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZeVk6FnptBrgLc

[@zenography7923]

I'll look out for the 35 f2, it sounds like it could be a nice one! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ghw7192]

I have 6 Konica cameras and 14 Hexanon and Hexar lenses. They blow very thing else away

[@zenography7923]

They're quite something, no doubt about it!

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

No they don't. For the price they are very good but of all the vintage lenses I own from most manufacturers the Canon FD and Minolta are the best fit for digital sensors in my experience and I'm comparing with Olympus, Konica, Nikon all lenses that work very well on film but when using them on my digital cameras with adapters in both full format and APS_C they have a loss of resolution and more chromatic aberrations than Minolta and Canon in general, there are exceptions of course as many pentax and m42 lenses.

[@Snikkelbek]

1 meter is actually a very respectable focus distance for a 135mm lens.

[@zenography7923]

I guess so - there's certainly plenty of reach available with one of these!

[@mikerodriguez413]

I LOVE your channel, but every video you make about something costing "Peanuts" drives the prices up crazy!!! LOL

[@zenography7923]

Not by too much I hope!

[@thedondeluxe6941]

If you ever get the chance to try the 58mm F1.4 (or F1.2), you won't be able to not buy it. I know, I've tried!

[@abbycasanova1380]

very cheap but sharp lenses

[@zenography7923]

Indeed!

[@georgehuman7253]

What's camera model?

[@N0rdman]

That is the Konica FS-1, very similar is also the later FT-1 www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/eFS-1Haupt.html?=true&width=100%&height=100% I was tempted to buy in back in the days, but I went another route in the end.

[@georgehuman7253]

@@N0rdman thanks :*

[@stillben]

Peanuts aren't that cheap anymore. A bag of KP unsalted roasted are 5UKP for a large bag

[@zenography7923]

:) I think tesco ones are a bit cheaper...

[@stillben]

@@zenography7923 do they do roasted unsailted?

[@k1emenv]

Try 85mm f1.8

[@zenography7923]

If one comes my way I certainly will!

[@mariuszach1344]

That is unfortunately one of the few konica's that is very expensive, they go for 200+.

[@k1emenv]

Marius Zäch 57mm 1.2 is crazy expensive, 85mm 1.2 is really worth 200+€

[@klemenvidic9352]

k1emenv I mean 85mm f1.8

[@samsen3965]

My interest in Hexanon and Konica is growing in wine scale. Logarithmically more with passage of time.

[@zenography7923]

It's funny you should say that...

[@muzicgr8]

Shhhhh be vewy vewy quite im hunting lenses

[@zenography7923]

:)

[@arttafil6792]

How can you sleep at night after stealing this outfit?

[@michelemarcolin2548]

Why talking so slowly...?