Konishiroku Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5

Konishiroku Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5
Preset, F bayonet version

Konica Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5

Konica Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5
Preset, AR bayonet version

Konica Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 with EE marking

Konica Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5
middle version, all-black
with EE marking

Konica Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 with AE marking

Konica Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5
late version, all-black
with AE marking

Konishiroku Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5
Konica Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5
Konica Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5

downLens data | downVariations | internal linkLens overview

The Hexanon 200 mm / F3.5 lens was already available for the early internal linkF bayonet as a preset lens without automatic aperture. There was no version for the coupled light meter of the Konica F, however. After Konica switched to the newer internal linkAR bayonet, the lens was still being offered as a preset lens fitting the new bayonet for a short while. But soon after the introduction of the new bayonet it was fitted with a fully automatic AE aperture. At this stage, the optical formula seems to have been changed, as the front element of the AE versions is much closer to the film plane as it was on the older preset lenses.

During the mid-70s, the 4-element internal linkHexar AR 200 mm / F4 was sold alongside as a cheaper alternative, but this lens cannot keep up optically with the superior Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5. The Hexar series were a series of entry-level lenses sold for a smaller price. These lenses were not manufactured by Konica themselves, rumours say they were probably made by Tamron. Other lenses from the Hexar series beside the internal linkHexar AR 200 mm / F4 are:

In the early 80s, both lenses were supplanted by the new internal linkHexanon AR 200 mm / F4 lens. This five-element lens's optical performance is somewhere between its both predecessors, but is substantially smaller and lighter than both.

Because of the long construction period, many different downvariations of the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 exist.

Image quality of the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 is superb, images are razor-sharp, contrasty and free of distortions. Of all 200 mm lenses from Konica, it is optically the best.

Draw-backs against the other 200 mm lenses are its big size and heavy weight. In addition, it uses a bigger filter size of 67 mm as compared to the 55 mm of the Hexanon AR 200 mm / F4 and Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 lenses.

Like with most telephoto lenses and their big and not recessed front elements, the consequent use of a lens hood is recommended for the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 to avoid loss of contrast due to stray light. In its later AE variations, the lens provides a built-in lens shade that is sufficient in many situations. With a deeper accessory lens hood, better results can be achieved frequently, however. The earlier preset versions for both F and AR bayonet were delivered with a matching metal screw-in hood, which could be stored conveniently on the lens in reversed position. This hood is a bit deeper than the built-in hoods of the later versions and provides better protection.

Lens hood Konishiroku Hexanon 200 mm / 1:3.5

Lens hood
Konishiroku Hexanon
200 mm / 1:3.5

The Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 is neither very common nor is it rare, it is offered only once in a while – therefore it is not an extremely expensive lens, but is not as cheap as the ubiquituous 135 mm lenses. It certainly is worth the moderate prices that have to be paid for it.

Size comparison of different 200 mm lenses

Size comparison of different 200 mm lenses:
Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 (left)
Hexanon AR 200 mm / F4 (centre)
Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 (right)

Variations
Lens data
Angle of view: 12°
Construction: 5 elements in 4 groups
Aperture: F bayonet: Preset, smallest aperture 22
AR bayonet: Preset, smallest aperture 22
AR bayonet: Fully automatic AE, smallest aperture 16
Closest focusing: 2.5 m (8 ft 23/8")
Filter thread: 67 mm
Length (at ∞): 156 mm (61/8") (F bayonet preset version)
158 mm (61/4") (AR bayonet preset version)
147 mm (53/4") (early AR bayonet metal EE version)
143 mm (55/8") (later AR bayonet versions)
Weight: 855 g (1 lb 141/8 oz) (F bayonet preset version)
825 g (1 lb 131/8 oz) (AR bayonet preset version 880 g (1 lb 15 oz) (early AR bayonet metal EE version)
870 g (1 lb 143/4 oz) (later AR bayonet versions)
Lens hood: 67 mm round screw-in (F bayonet preset version)
67 mm round screw-in (AR bayonet preset version)
built-in (AR bayonet EE/AE versions)
Lens diagram: Lens diagram Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5
More pages on the Konica Hexanon and Hexar lenses:

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