Konishiroku Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8 auto-aperture version for uncoupled F bayonet

Konishiroku Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8
Auto-aperture version for uncoupled
F bayonet

Konica Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8 Auto-Reflex version

Konica Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8
Auto-Reflex version
without coupling for widest aperture

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 early chrome ring version

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8
early chrome ring version

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 early all-black metal version

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8
early all-black metal version

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 middle rubberized version

Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8
middle version with rubberized focusing ring

Konishiroku Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8
Konica Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8
Konica Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8

downLens data | downVariations | internal linkLens overview

The Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8 was one of the first lenses to be available for the Konica SLR system. For the early internal linkF bayonet, 35 mm was the only available wide-angle focal length – beside the Hexanon 35 mm / F2.8 there also was a faster variation, the internal linkHexanon 35 mm / F2.

For the coupled light meter of the Konica F, a version with automatic aperture exists, for the uncoupled F bayonet there is a preset version as well as a variation with automatic aperture.

After the switch-over to the new internal linkAR bayonet, the lens was equipped with fully automatic AE aperture. The subsequent design changes like dropping the chrome ring, change to rubberized focusing ring, or replacement of the yellow EE mark with the green AE mark have been applied to the lens, so many different downvariations exist.

With the switch to a smallest aperture 22, the lens has been redesigned – before, it was made of 6 elements in 5 groups, the new version with smallest aperture 22 has only 5 elements in 5 groups. The newer variation is substantially more compact and lighter than the older version.

The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2,8 has a good image quality. It renders sharp images with high contrast and good colour rendition, no barrel or pincushion distortions are detectable. A good lens, just like most of the 35 mm / F2.8 lenses from other manufacturers. Similar to the 135 mm / F3.5 it is a well-proved lens design that almost all manufacturers master well.

The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 is not very sensitive to back or stray light. With its big and not recessed front element, the consequent use of a lens hood is recommended in most situations to avoid loss of contrast, however. A matching rectangular metal lens hood was available from Konica. This original lens hood is quite deep, shades very well and can also be used on many standard lenses. Of course third party lens hoods can be used as well, but the original lens hood is worth it, if you can get one.

The 35 mm lens can be used in many different situations. The wide-angle effect is not as noticeable as in shorter focal lengths, so this focal length was sometimes used as standard lens – many compact cameras with fixed focal length also have 35 mm lenses.

The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2,8 is offered quite frequently and therefore quite cheap. The last variation with smallest aperture 22 is only offered once in a while and fetches a bit higher prices. Lenses for the early F bayonet are rare.

Variations
Lens data
Angle of view: 63°
Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups (earlier versions)
5 elements in 5 groups (f22 version)
Aperture: coupled F bayonet: Auto, smallest aperture 16
uncoupled F bayonet: Preset, smallest aperture 16
uncoupled F bayonet: Auto, smallest aperture 16
AR bayonet: Fully automatic AE,smallest aperture 16 (earlier versions)
AR bayonet: Fully automatic AE,smallest aperture 22 (last version)
Closest focusing: 0.3 m (113/4")
Filter thread: 55 mm
Length (at ∞): 57 mm (21/4") (earlier versions)
38 mm (11/2") (f22 version)
Weight: 240 g (81/2 oz) (earlier versions)
200 g (71/16 oz) (f22 version)
Lens hood: 57 mm rectangular clamp-on
Lens diagram:
Lens diagram Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 6 element version

early, 6 element version

Lens diagram Hexanon AR 35 mm / F2.8 5 element version

late, 5 element version
More pages on the Konica Hexanon and Hexar lenses:

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