Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 for the Autoreflex T3 SLR (1973-1979)

Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 for the Autoreflex T3 (1973-1979, Version 2 from 1976)

Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7
for the Autoreflex T3 (1973-1979)
The one I have is Version 2.

2016.06.25 - Published
2017.01.26 - Revised

2021.08.20 - Re-written, re-edit video

Konica introduced its Auto-Reflex film SLRs in 1965, which introduced the Konica AR bayonet mount. The lenses they make for their film SLRs are called 'Hexanon'. Hexanon lenses were used by the Japanese government as the standard against which all other lenses were measured because of their reputation for sharpness. Konica stopped producing film SLRs in late 1988.

When the Autoreflex T3 (1973-1978) was introduced, it was fitted with this Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 as kit lens. The lens was cosmetically revised later, but optically the same. You can easily distinguish the versions by their cosmetics, the first one being bulkier and has a minimum focusing of 0.45 meters; the later version is more compact but the MFD is 0.55 meters. It quickly gained a reputation as the sharpest lens in its time and is considered a premium lens; it's the most common Konica lens you will find.

My copy of the Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 is of the second version. It came with a fungus clustered on the center of the front group of elements. There was little impact on the output, if any. I only had a Nikon DSLR at the time and could only test this lens for some macro shots (see 'flange distance'). So far, I've been very impressed that the lens has a neutral color, the colors are very pleasing not too vivid, the contrast was pleasing, and it is indeed sharp. It's a lovely little lens! I have a mirrorless camera now and hope to try one again...

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Konica Hexanon AR

50mm f/1.7

Produced - 1973-1978

This lens is Version 2 introduced 1976
Kit lens for - Konica Autoreflex T3
Focusing - Manual, non-AF

Minimum Focusing - 0.55 meters
Filter Thread - 55mm
Aperture Range - f/1.7 - f/16 + AE
Iris Blades - 6
Optical Formula - 6 elements, 5 groups
Made In Japan

www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e50_17.html

www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/140271