Konica Hexanon 40mm f/1.8

Overview

The Konica Hexanon 40mm f/1.8 is a pancake lens ahead of its time. In an era of chunky SLR lenses, Konica created this slim, fast 40mm that could practically fit in a pocket. The 40mm focal length predates the modern pancake trend by decades, offering a natural field of view that's wider than 50mm but not as extreme as 35mm. It became a favorite for street photographers who valued discretion.

Verdict: A gem for street shooters and compact kit lovers. The 40mm focal length is uniquely natural, and the pancake size makes it invisible. Pricier due to rarity, but worth it if you value a compact, fast, sharp lens.

Optical Character

Community Insights

Summary: The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 lens is a well-regarded vintage lens that offers great image quality, affordable pricing, and a durable construction. Users praise its sharpness, fast aperture, and compatibility with various digital cameras through adapters. Sentiment: Positive Top Praised: - Sharp and high-quality image output - Fast f/1.7 aperture for low-light and shallow depth of field - Durable, well-built construction - Affordable price point for a vintage lens Top Complaints: - Slightly longer minimum focus distance on the later version - Loss of half-stop aperture adjustments on the later version - Potential compatibility issues when using with digital cameras Use Cases: - Street photography - Low-light photography - Portrait photography with shallow depth of field Disagreements: None noted Confidence: 0.8 (The review provides a comprehensive overview of the lens with limited potential issues noted)

Sample Photos

Source: Wikimedia Commons · Credit: Scott S from DC Metro Area, US · License: CC BY 2.0

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