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Konica Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4
early version for Konica Auto-Reflex
no coupling for widest aperture
Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4
version for Revue Auto-Reflex
no coupling for widest aperture
57 mm / 1:1.4
version for Revue Autoreflex TTL
Konica Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4
middle, chrome ring version
Konica Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4
late, all-black version
Konica Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4
Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4
57 mm / 1:1.4
Konica Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4
Lens data | Variations | 
Lens overview
The Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4 was introduced shortly after the switch-over to the newer AR bayonet (1966), as faster alternative to the cheaper standard lens Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.8. For the older F bayonet the lens was not yet available, in this mount the Hexanon 52 mm / 1:1.4 was offered as faster alternative, but that lens was not re-introduced in the new AR mount.
The first variation of the Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4 did not provide automatic aperture, but was a preset lens. The introduction of automatic aperture with EE setting for automatic exposure followed not long after the lens was introduced.
A short time after the introduction of the Autoreflex T3 the lens was dropped from the program and superseded by the much better Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.4, therefore all variations of the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 still have the splined metal focusing ring.
Image quality is o.k., the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 renders sharp and contrasty images with neutral colour rendition – results are quite similar to those of the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1,8 regarding quality. But especially in terms of sharpness, the lens can't keep up with its successor, the first-class Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.4, you will therefore be served better with that later lens for normal photography. The differences between the lens generations are a bit smaller than with the slower budget standard lenses, but can still be seen clearly.
It was pointed out to me by a reader that the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 is a very good lens for infra-red photography, where the Hexanon AR 50 mm F1.4 would produce prominent hotspots, so the 57 mm would be superior to the 50 mm F1.4 for this application. I have no own experience with that, but as this info might be interesting, I mention it here.
The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 is not very sensitive to stray light. A round metal screw-in lens hood with inner velvet lining was available from Konica as an accessory.
Lens hood
Konica Hexanon 57 mm / 1:1.4
As a slower budget alternative, beside the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 52 mm / F1.8 was offered first – towards the end of the construction period, with introduction of the Autoreflex T3, the legendary Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.7 was offered instead.
The difference in speed over the budget standard lens is about 2/3 f-stops – this is nowhere near as important as it used to be in the days when the fastest colour film available was Kodachrome 25. Somtimes, the shallower depth-of-field when used wide open is desirable, especially for portraits. In low-light situations, it still can be the small difference that decides whether or not hand-held images can be made without blur caused by camera shake.
The Hexanon AR 57 mm / F1.4 is much rarer than its slower budget alternative, but can be seen once in a while – it is not a very rare lens. In my opinion, it is only interesting for collectors who look for a historically correct lens for their old camera body. For photography, the successing Hexanon AR 50 mm / F1.4 is better, which in addition is much more common and can therefore be obtained easier and cheapter.
Variations
- Label: Konica Hexanon 57 mm 1:1.4
Preset aperture
Chrome ring
No EE setting - (Uppermost image)
Label: Konica Hexanon 57 mm 1:1.4
Chrome ring
Shiny finish
Yellow EE mark
No AE lock
No coupling for widest aperture - (Second image from top)
Label: Hexanon 57 mm 1:1.4
Chrome ring
Shiny finish
Yellow EE mark
No AE lock
No coupling for widest aperture - (Third image from top)
Label: 57 mm 1:1.4
Chrome ring
Mat finish
Yellow EE mark
No AE lock
Coupling for widest aperture - (Second image from bottom)
Label: Konica Hexanon AR 57 mm F1.4
Chrome ring
Mat finish
Yellow EE mark
AE lock
Coupling for widest aperture - (Lowest image)
Label: Konica Hexanon AR 57 mm F1.4
All black
Yellow EE mark
AE lock
Coupling for widest aperture
Lens data
| Angle of view: | 42° |
| Construction: | 6 elements in 5 groups |
| Aperture: | Preset, smallest aperture 16 Fully automatic AE, smallest aperture 16 |
| Closest focusing: | 0.45 m (1 ft 53/4") |
| Filter thread: | 55 mm |
| Length (at ∞): | 42 mm (15/8") |
| Weight: | 280 g (97/8 oz) |
| Lens hood: | Metal, 55 mm round screw-in |
More pages on the Konica Hexanon and Hexar lenses:
Main page | Lens overview | 
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