■ Super wide-angle lenses
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..1.. 15/2.8 KONICA .UC. Fish-eye HEXANON AR
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Specifications:
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Field
of view
Elements
/ groups
Aperture
system
Aperture
Scale
Metering
Closest
focusing distance
Filters
Hood
Length
Diameter
Weight
(~)
Years
of production
Number
of versions
Rarity |
180º
10/7
Automatic
2.8 to 16 + AE
At full aperture
0.2m
Built-in
Built-in
60mm
70mm
400g
1975-81
2
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Optical diagram:
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Comments: ●
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The
Hexanon 15/2.8 is a full-frame fish-eye lens which was one of the brightest
and sharpest on the market when introduced. It is a specialty lens intended
for those who seek special effects or pronounced distortions greatly
magnified by a very short focusing distance. It produces very sharp images
edge to edge, even when wide open. It can also produce a most original bokeh
on very close-focus shots. The Hexanon 15/2.8 can be used for very wide
panoramas and is ideal for pictures in tightly closed quarters. It is a
lens whose use requires some skill, however. It comes with four built-in
filters (SKY, Y52, R60 and B8). There are two versions of this lens, only the
second of which is a ‘UC’ lens. Both versions have a rubber-covered focusing
ring. It would seem that the first version was produced for only a few
months. It has 9 elements in 6 groups, weighs 395g, and is extremely rare. Almost
all of the 15mm Hexanon fish-eyes in circulation are of the second version. It is one
of the most sought-after Hexanon lenses.
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21/2.8
KONICA HEXANON AR Compact
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Specifications:
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Field
of view
Elements
/ groups
Aperture
system
Aperture
Scale
Metering
Closest
focusing distance
Filters
Hood
Length
Diameter
Weight
(~)
Years
of production
Number
of versions
Rarity |
92º
9/8
Automatic
2.8 to 22 + AE
At full aperture
0.2m
Screw-in, 55mm
Clip-on, 57mm
39mm
63mm
215g
1979-84
1
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Optical diagram:
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Comments: ●
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This
is a rectilinear wide angle lens that is ideally suited for panoramas,
architecture and interiors. Its field of view makes it possible, with a
little luck, to cover two walls at right angle. This lens has excellent
coatings which make flare imperceptible, unless the lens is directed straight
at the sun. Exaggerations of perspective proper for this focal distance are
very well corrected. It is smaller, brighter and just a hair sharper than the
excellent 21/4.0 that preceded it. Its most important advantages over the
earlier version are its brightness and its superior coatings. In addition,
its frontal optical element is not as exposed and it takes regular 55mm
filters. It is a rare and expensive lens, one of three compact Hexanon
wide-angles introduced between 1979 and 1982 (the three musketeers, as I call
them). Its manufacturing was subcontracted to Tokina.
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21/4.0 KONICA HEXANON AR
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Specifications:
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Field
of view
Elements
/ groups
Aperture
system
Aperture
Scale
Metering
Closest
focusing distance
Filters
Hood
Length
Diameter
Weight
(~)
Years
of production
Number
of versions
Rarity |
90º
11/7
Automatic
4 to 16 + AE
At full aperture
0.2m
Screw-in,
77mm
Clip-on, 80mm
59mm
80mm
340g
1966-75
4
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Optical diagram:
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Comments: ●
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Prior
to the introduction of the 15mm fisheye in 1975, the 21/4.0 was the Hexanon wide-angle
lens with the widest field of view. Its retrofocus design meant that no mirror lock up was required to use it. As a result, one could view and focus while looking through it, in contrast to many other lenses of similar focal length available at the time. It was also uncommon in that it produced far less vignetting at full aperture than other comparable lenses. Modern Photography magazine
tested it and found it can resolve almost 100 lpm at f5.6 (!!!). All in all, it was also one of the best such lens on the
market in its time. It's a rectilinear
wide-angle lens whose 5 different versions only differ by their outer
appearance and, especially, their coatings. It is a very sharp lens with good
flare control, despite its very wide and exposed front optical element. Its
light hood is, in fact a lens cap with a rectangular opening (very difficult
to find on its own). It is quite heavy in comparison with its successor, the
21/2.8 and takes uncommon 77mm filters.
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24/2.8 KONICA HEXANON AR Earlier model
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Specifications:
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Field
of view
Elements
/ groups
Aperture
system
Aperture
Scale
Metering
Closest
focusing distance
Filters
Hood
Length
Diameter
Weight
(~)
Years
of production
Number
of versions
Rarity |
84º
8/8
Automatic
2.8 to 16 +
AE
At full aperture
0.25m
Screw-in, 55mm
Clip-on, 57mm
54mm
63mm
280g
1973-80
1
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Optical diagram:
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Comments: ●
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Lens
whose focal length is an ideal compromise between 28mm and 35mm lenses, which
are often too narrow, and 15mm and 21mm lenses with their accentuated
distortions. Ideal for interiors, architecture, landscapes and groups of
people around the table. One of the best 24mm lenses ever made. Very good
edge-to-edge sharpness with beautiful color rendition and good flare control.
The second, compact, version of this lens is much smaller, has better coatings,
which render flare virtually undetectable, unless the lens is
pointed directly at the sun. Its
dimensions are similar to that of the 28/3.5. This second version, which is
quite rare, is one of three compact Hexanon wide-angles introduced between
1979 and 1982 (the three musketeers, as I call them). Its manufacturing was
subcontracted to Tokina.
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24/2.8 KONICA HEXANON AR Compact Later model
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Specifications:
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Field
of view
Elements
/ groups
Aperture
system
Aperture
Scale
Metering
Closest
focusing distance
Filters
Hood
Length
Diameter
Weight
(~)
Years
of production
Number
of versions
Rarity |
84º
8/8
Automatic
2.8 to 22 + AE
At full aperture
0.25m
Screw-in, 55mm
Clip-on, 57mm
37mm
63mm
205g
1980-81
1
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Optical diagram:
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Comments: ●
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Lens
whose focal length is an ideal compromise between 28mm and 35mm lenses, which
are often too narrow, and 15mm and 21mm lenses with their accentuated
distortions. Ideal for interiors, architecture, landscapes and groups of
people around the table. One of the best 24mm lenses ever made. Very good
edge-to-edge sharpness with beautiful color rendition and good flare control.
The second, compact, version of this lens is much smaller, has better coatings,
which render flare virtually just about undetectable, unless the lens is
pointed directly at the sun. It has a smallest aperture of f22 and its
dimensions are similar to that of the 28/3.5. This second version, which is
quite rare, is one of three compact Hexanon wide-angles introduced between
1979 and 1982 (the three musketeers, as I call them). Its manufacturing was
subcontracted to Tokina.
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● KONICA ●
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