Diese Seite auf Deutsch
Konica Hexar AR 200 mm / F4
Konica Hexar AR 200 mm / F4
Lens dataIn the second half of the 70's, a lens from the cheaper Hexar series was offered alongside the 
Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5, with the same focal length. The Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 is a simpler construction having only 4 elements in 4 groups, as compared to the faster, five-element Hexanon AR lens. Different from the Hexanon, it has a 55 mm filter thread and can therefore use the same filters as most other Konica SLR lenses. In addition, it is smaller and lighter.
During the early 80's, both lenses were replaced by the newer Hexanon AR 200 mm / F4. The optical performance of this five-element lens is somewhere in between the two other 200 mm lenses, but it is substantially smaller and lighter than these.
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 Hexar AR 200 mm / F4:
The Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 renders sharp, contrasty images without visible distortions from edge to edge. All in all it is a good lens, but the optical performance, especially the sharpness, is outshined by the Hexanon lenses of the same focal length. Especially the Hexanon AR 200 mm / F3.5 is visibly sharper.
Like with most telephoto lenses and their big and not recessed front elements, the consequent use of a lens hood is recommended for the Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 to avoid loss of contrast due to stray light. The lens does provide a built-in lens shade, which is sufficient in most cases, although a deeper lens hood would have been possible with this focal length.
The Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 is only offered once in a while on the second-hand market – despite this, it is mostly quite cheap. For the usual prices, it is a real bargain.
There is only one variation of the Hexar AR 200 mm / F4 lens. All these lenses have the rubberized focusing ring, a green AE mark, the round AE lock button, a built-in lens hood, and a smallest aperture 16.
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)
Lens data
| Angle of view: | 12° |
| Construction: | 4 elements in 4 groups |
| Aperture: | Fully automatic AE, smallest aperture 16 |
| Closest focusing: | 2,5 m (8 ft 23/8") |
| Filter thread: | 55 mm |
| Length (at ∞): | 151 mm (6") |
| Weight: | 805 g (1 lb 123/8 oz) |
| Lens hood: | built-in |
| Lens diagram: |  |
Top of page
E-mail