Konica Konica 50mm f1.8 Heritage

Overview

The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 was introduced in 1973 as the fixed standard lens accompanying Konica's Autoreflex T3 SLR, the successor to the T2. It quickly earned a reputation for optical performance, particularly its sharpness. When Konica refreshed its lineup in 1976 with the smaller, lighter Autoreflex TC, an updated version of this lens was released to match the new body: it was made smaller and lighter, its closest focusing distance grew from 45cm to 55cm, and aperture half-stops were removed, though the optical quality was said to remain the same. Production of this second version continued until 1979, when the FS-1 camera arrived bundled with a 40mm f1.8 pancake lens instead. Within the Hexanon standard-lens family, the f1.7 sits as the entry-level or 'budget priced' standard option, below the faster 50mm f1.4 and the iconic 57mm f1.2. Despite being the slowest of the three, reviewers regard it as the sharpest and an outright excellent performer with arguably the best price/performance ratio of the range. Konica Hexanons historically lagged in popularity among vintage-lens shooters because their short flange distance (40.5mm) made them difficult to adapt to DSLRs without optical corrective elements; the rise of mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS R, with much shorter flange distances, finally made simple adapting possible and reignited interest. No established nickname is evidenced in the reviews.

Verdict: The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 is a sharp, contrasty, well-built standard prime that offers arguably the best price-to-performance of the Konica AR line. It is ideal for photographers on a budget who want excellent center sharpness and subject separation, especially on mirrorless bodies where it adapts easily. Those bothered by hexagonal bokeh highlights or seeking silky-smooth aperture action may prefer another lens, but for value and image quality it is hard to beat.

Optical Character

Bokeh

Excellent subject separation, but the six-blade aperture produces visible hexagonal highlights when stopped down; no swirl or bubble effect.

Sharpness wide open

A standout trait with strong center sharpness even wide open, improving significantly when stopped down and adequate for most photos from about f2.8.

Contrast

Contrasty with high global contrast; images noted as contrasty and sharp.

Community Insights

What people love

Exceptional sharpness for the price, with a strong center performance even wide open
Contrasty, sharp images and excellent subject separation
Outstanding price/performance ratio, described as one of the most affordable good lenses available
Beautiful, sturdy, well-built construction; earlier models are full metal and glass
Smooth, accurate, predictable focusing that works well with focus peaking on the Canon EOS R
Easy to adapt on mirrorless cameras without optical corrective adapter elements

What people dislike

Only six aperture blades, producing distracting hexagonal highlights when stopped down
Aperture control is clicky and tactile but not as refined or smooth as some other vintage lenses (compared to Pentacon and late Zeiss Jena)
Focus could be a little more damped
Historically difficult to adapt to DSLRs due to short 40.5mm flange distance

Pro Tips

Adapt it to a mirrorless body such as the Canon EOS R with a simple, glassless adapter (e.g. Fotasy Konica AR to EOS RF) to preserve image quality and reach infinity focus
Use focus peaking, which works well with this lens on the EOS R
Shoot wide open for portraits where the center is already sharp with good subject separation; stop down to about f2.8 or beyond for maximum sharpness across most scenes
Be mindful of the six-blade hexagonal highlights when composing scenes with bright out-of-focus points if stopping down

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f1.7 was introduced in 1973 as the fixed standard lens accompanying Konica's Autoreflex T3 SLR, the successor to the T2. It quickly earned a reputation for optical performance, particularly its sharpness. When Konica refreshed its lineup in 1976 with the smaller, lighter Autoreflex TC, an updated version of this lens was released to match the new body: it was made smaller and lighter, its closest focusing distance grew from 45cm to 55cm, and aperture half-stops were removed, though the optical quality was said to remain the same. Production of this second version continued until 1979, when the FS-1 camera arrived bundled with a 40mm f1.8 pancake lens instead. Within the Hexanon standard-lens family, the f1.7 sits as the entry-level or 'budget priced' standard option, below the faster 50mm f1.4 and the iconic 57mm f1.2. Despite being the slowest of the three, reviewers regard it as the sharpest and an outright excellent performer with arguably the best price/performance ratio of the range. Konica Hexanons historically lagged in popularity among vintage-lens shooters because their short flange distance (40.5mm) made them difficult to adapt to DSLRs without optical corrective elements; the rise of mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS R, with much shorter flange distances, finally made simple adapting possible and reignited interest. No established nickname is 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/