Konica Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8 - middle metal version

Konica Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8
middle metal version

Konica Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8 - late rubber version

Konica Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8
late rubber version

Konishiroku Hexanon 85 mm / 1:1.8
Konica Hexanon 85 mm / 1:1.8
Konica Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8

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The Konishiroku / Konica Hexanon / Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8 is the fastest Konica SLR telephoto lens.

It was available very early, already for the first Konica SLR, the Konica F – right from the start it was equipped with automatic aperture. The lens has been built until Konica abandoned the SLR line in 1987 and was revised and modified several times. As far as I know, the optical formula remained unchanged, only the lens coatings have been improved. The filter thread diameter was 58 mm in older and 55 mm in later versions.

The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8 has an extraordinary image quality, and renders razor-sharp images with high contrast and very good color fidelity from edge to edge. There are no visible barrel or pincushion distortions. Due to the large maximum aperture it is possible to use it with a very shallow depth-of-field, which makes it a good choice for portraits where the background should be blurred to avoid distractions. But it is also suitable for sports or animal photography in low-light situations because of its speed.

Due to the large maximum aperture of F1.8, the viewfinder image is very bright, so it is easier to focus this lens precisely than many of the slower telephoto lenses with longer focal lengths.

Like with most telephoto lenses and their big and not recessed front elements, the consequent use of a lens hood is recommended to avoid loss of contrast due to stray light. The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8 does not provide a built-in lens shade in any version, however. A round, metal screw-in lens hood with velvet inner lining was available as an accessory.

The lens is not offered for sale very often and is quite searched-after, so it is relatively expensive compared to other Hexanon AR lenses. But it is not extremely rare, either. In my opinion, it is well worth the prices it usually achieves – a real premium lens in a very useful focal length.

Variations
Lens data
Angle of view: 28,5°
Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
Aperture: Auto (for F bayonet),
Fully automatic AE (for AR bayonet),
smallest aperture 16
Closest focusing: 1 m (3ft 3")
Filter thread: 58 mm with F bayonet and early AE bayonet versions without AE lock
55 mm with later versions
Length (at ∞): 67 mm (22/3")
weight: 390 / 400 g (133/4 / 141/8 oz)
Lens hood: Metal, 58 mm or 55 mm round screw-in
Lens diagram: Lens diagram Hexanon AR 85 mm / F1.8
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