Konica Konica 50mm f1.7 Heritage

Overview

The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 debuted in 1973 as the standard lens fixed to the front of Konica's Autoreflex T3 SLR, the successor to the T2. It quickly gained a reputation for its optical performance, particularly its sharpness. When Konica released the smaller, lighter Autoreflex TC in 1976 to compete with newer, more compact offerings, they updated the lens accordingly: it was made smaller and lighter, its closest focusing distance grew from 45cm to 55cm, and aperture half-stops were removed. Importantly, the optical quality was said to remain the same. Production of this second version continued until 1979, when the FS-1 camera arrived with a 40mm f1.8 pancake, after which Autoreflex TCs shipped with that new glass instead. Within the Hexanon lineup, the 50mm f1.7 was the entry-level, budget-priced standard lens, sitting alongside the faster 50mm f1.4 and the iconic 57mm f1.2. Despite being the slowest of the three, reviewers consider it the sharpest and an outright excellent performer with arguably the best price/performance ratio in the Hexanon range. Konica Hexanons historically lagged behind other vintage lenses in popularity because their short flange distance made them difficult to adapt to DSLRs without optical adapters; the rise of mirrorless cameras (like the Canon EOS R) removed this barrier and revived interest. No established nicknames are evidenced in the reviews.

Verdict: The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 is an ideal first vintage 50mm for anyone on a budget who wants sharp, contrasty results without spending much. It rewards mirrorless shooters with excellent center sharpness even wide open and great subject separation, at the cost of a somewhat clicky aperture and a six-blade diaphragm that betrays hexagonal highlights when stopped down. For price-conscious photographers seeking one of the best value vintage primes, it's a fine, well-built performer.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Excellent subject separation, but the six-blade aperture produces distracting hexagonal highlights when stopped down.

Sharpness wide open

Sharp even wide open in the center, considered the sharpest of Konica's 50mm/57mm trio, improving markedly from about f2.8.

Contrast

High global contrast; images described as contrasty and sharp.

Community Insights

What people love

Outstanding price/performance ratio - considered one of the most affordable yet high-performing vintage lenses available
Superb sharpness, reputedly the sharpest of Konica's standard 50mm/57mm lenses, usable even wide open in the center for portraits
Contrasty, sharp image quality with excellent subject separation
Beautiful, sturdy, well-built construction, with early models featuring full metal and glass
Smooth, accurate, easy-to-use focus that gives predictable results and works well with focus peaking on the EOS R
Easy to adapt to mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS R without optical adapters

What people dislike

Only six aperture blades, which cannot produce round highlights when stopped down and create distracting hexagonal shapes in out-of-focus areas
Aperture control is not as refined or smooth as some other vintage lenses - clicky and tactile, similar to Pentacon or late Zeiss Jena
Focus could be a little more damped
Harder to adapt to DSLRs due to the short 40.5mm flange distance

Pro Tips

Adapt it to a mirrorless camera such as the Canon EOS R with a simple non-optical adapter (e.g. Fotasy Konica AR to EOS RF) for best image quality and infinity focus
Use focus peaking, which works well with this lens on the EOS R
Shoot wide open for portraits where the sharp center and excellent subject separation shine
Stop down to around f2.8 for sharpness adequate for most photos, but be aware hexagonal highlights become visible
Identify your version by checking for a serial number on the front - early ones have it, later ones don't

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 debuted in 1973 as the standard lens fixed to the front of Konica's Autoreflex T3 SLR, the successor to the T2. It quickly gained a reputation for its optical performance, particularly its sharpness. When Konica released the smaller, lighter Autoreflex TC in 1976 to compete with newer, more compact offerings, they updated the lens accordingly: it was made smaller and lighter, its closest focusing distance grew from 45cm to 55cm, and aperture half-stops were removed. Importantly, the optical quality was said to remain the same. Production of this second version continued until 1979, when the FS-1 camera arrived with a 40mm f1.8 pancake, after which Autoreflex TCs shipped with that new glass instead. Within the Hexanon lineup, the 50mm f1.7 was the entry-level, budget-priced standard lens, sitting alongside the faster 50mm f1.4 and the iconic 57mm f1.2. Despite being the slowest of the three, reviewers consider it the sharpest and an outright excellent performer with arguably the best price/performance ratio in the Hexanon range. Konica Hexanons historically lagged behind other vintage lenses in popularity because their short flange distance made them difficult to adapt to DSLRs without optical adapters; the rise of mirrorless cameras (like the Canon EOS R) removed this barrier and revived interest. No established nicknames are evidenced in the reviews.

https://www.myfavouritelens.com/konica-hexanon-ar-50mm-f1-7-lens-review/https://lenslegend.com/konica-hexanon-50mm-f1-7-ar-review/