Konica 50mm (2000–1973)
A series of 50mm prime lenses made by Konica for AR and Leica M mounts, including a limited titanium edition released at Photokina 2000.
Overview
Konica produced several 50mm lenses across different eras and mounts. The most notable is the Konica 50mm f/1.2 Limited Edition, a titanium-bodied lens announced at Photokina in September 2000 as a millennium release, with only 2,001 units made. One known example is serial number 1136 of this run. This lens was offered with Leica M mount. Separately, the Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 was the standard kit lens bundled with the Konica Autoreflex A3 SLR, introduced in 1973. Konica also made the M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 for Leica M mount, featuring a 6-element, 5-group optical design with 10 aperture blades.
Specifications
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 (Limited Edition), f/1.7 (Hexanon AR), f/2 (M-Hexanon), f/1.4 (Hexanon AR), f/1.9 (Hexanon) |
| Lens mount | Leica M mount (f/1.2 Limited, M-Hexanon f/2), Konica AR mount (f/1.4, f/1.7), Leica screw mount (f/1.9 Hexanon), Konica AR mount (f/1.7, f/1.4) |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 5 groups (M-Hexanon f/2, f/1.9 Hexanon) |
| Aperture blades | 10 (M-Hexanon f/2) |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.00 m (f/1.9 Hexanon) |
| Filter thread | 40.5mm (f/1.9 Hexanon) |
| Weight | 260g (f/1.9 Hexanon) |
| Production run | 2,001 units (f/1.2 Limited Edition) |
| In production |
Design
The Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 uses a 6-element, 5-group optical layout with a double Gauss-type design and features 10 aperture blades. The Konica 50mm f/1.9 Hexanon for Leica screw mount has a chrome barrel, manual focus, and click-stop aperture controls. The f/1.7 Hexanon AR has a smooth focus helicoid, which users have noted benefits from re-greasing for optimal operation.
Context
The Konica 50mm f/1.7 Hexanon AR was the standard kit lens for the Konica Autoreflex A3, announced in 1973. The f/1.2 Limited Edition in titanium was unveiled at Photokina 2000 as a premium M-mount offering, highlighting Konica’s continued presence in high-end lens manufacturing at the turn of the millennium.
Market
The Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 was listed for $529 on the Fred Miranda forums in April 2021. A Konica 50mm F2 was priced at £499 in the Summer 2021 issue of the Leica Society magazine. The f/1.7 Hexanon AR has been listed at €43.00 on kamerastore.com. The f/1.2 Limited Edition, number 1136 of 2001, appeared on the Fred Miranda forums in beautiful condition with original UV filter, hood, and front cap.
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