The BEST Vintage 50 By FAR? Konica Hexanon 50mm f1.4 v. Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Minolta.
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- čas přidán 21. 10. 2023
- If you want the BEST vintage 50mm f1.4, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!
The Konica Hexanon 50mm f1.4 is a beautiful vintage lens, but how does it compare to lenses from Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Minolta? And to the earlier Konica 57mm f1.4?
Which is sharper? Which has nicer colour and contrast? Which makes the nicest background blur - and which is right for you?
Check out the video for more info.
Go on, you know you want to!
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Thanks for watching!
Nice find. I got an 8 element 50mm f1.4 Takumar a couple of weeks ago its a super lens.
Oh, that sounds nice - enjoy!
Same here. I got on the Takumar bandwagon. Full line of lenses for a fraction of the cost.
I have been shooting Konica since around 2001 and picked up some very nice equipment while living in Tokyo. I have always been very happy with the 40/1.8 and the 50/1.7 and have never been inclined to go for the over-priced 50/1.4. In fact, my favourite 50mm lens these days (adapted to my Fufiilm X-T camera) is a Yashica ML 50/2.0. I think it may be sharper than my Konica lenses, the colours are great and f2.0 provides all the bokeh that I need. (I also have a couple of Canon FDs, a Jupiter 8, and an Industar 61. I like then all for different reasons but the Yashica is the one that resides in my camera bag.)
Those sound like some nice lenses - enjoy!
Never tire of listening. Great voice for story telling.
Thanks!
I dug through my old manual lenses after finding and enjoying your channel. In the 50mm size I have the Konica Hexanon AR f1.7 and the Super Takumar f1.4 (8 element) that I’ll never part with.
I love konica lenses. I have a 57mm f1.2 and a 50mm 1.7 along with the Konica Macro-Hexanon AR 55 mm f3.5. I almost picked up a 50mm f1.4 until a Minolta 45mm F/2 Rokkor came into my possession. I just didn't see the need to have another lens in this focal length at this time but the gear acquisition syndrome always wins out in the end. Thank you for another video I do enjoy them.
I discovered your channel recently and I always find your videos very interesting for the way you deal with the topics. I am the happy owner of a Fuji XH1 and it definitely gives me more satisfaction to use it with vintage lenses. In this period I'm having fun using a "planar 1.7/50". Greetings from Italy
That sounds like a beautiful lens, Glad you're enjoying the channel.
Many thanks for great video!
I have the Nikon 50mm f1.5 ai and shoot on both film and full frame digital. Absolutely great lens - as you say not the sharpest but surely sharp enough and the bokeh is simply incredible. Regards
Excelente vídeo, muchas gracias por compartir su conocimiento. Yo tengo un SMC TAKUMAR 50mm 1.4, y es realmente excelente!!! Saludos desde México!!!
Congratulations! I love the Konica AR Hexanon 50mm f1.4 AR 🙂
It's a popstar, compared to the subdued 57mm (which is also nice!)
So, you have the f16 maximum aperture version. This is a radioactive lens (but not as much as the f1.2). There's also an f22 version of the 50mm f1.4.
I like the 50mm Konica when it's a bright summer day, and there's water in the picture. Somehow it loves that. Turns it into gold, with the sunlight.
A popstar - yes, I think you're right!
Are you certain that Konica Hexanon AR 50 f 1.4 version is thoriated / radioactive? I searched and did not find this information anywhere else.
In my lens stock there are three of these lenses : Konica, Minolta, Canon.
For my experience the Minolta Rokkor 50mm f1.4 and the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 are extraordinary lenses. They are fully usuable at open aperture !!!
And i use them on film cameras, so this statement is very precious.
The Konica 50mm f1.4 was beaten in my examinations by the small Konica AR 50mm f1.8 which is very sharp and contrasty.
When it comes to Konica,Pentax,Canon....50's f/1,4 lenses, sharp enough is sharp enough. How it renders becomes as important.
Agreed!
I have a Canon FD 1.4 and was terrible impressed, very, very sharp. Superb build quality also.
I love the Konica Hexanon 50mm 1.7. With My Fujifilm it renders amazing
A very nice lens - enjoy!
I have the Konica 50 1.7. It i one of my favorite 50's!
An outstanding lens, enjoy!
Topcon also made a few good ones.
Three 58 millimeters, one 55mm and two 50mms (with GN numbers for flash)
Most Topcon owners got the 58mm RE-Topcor 1.8 I think.
2 da 58 mm. 1,4 ed 1,8. Poi un 50 mm 1,4 GN .🤔
I have ordered a later hexanon ar 50 1.4 that stops down to f22 and has 8 aperture blades, the condition should be very good.
Gonna try and use it with Lumix S5ii full frame camera, just waiting for an adapter to arrive is gonna take a while.
I had a prior experience with vintage lenses but mostly on crop sensor cameras, i had minolta MD 50 1.4 on micro four thirds camera and still have SMC Pentax 55mm f 1.8 for K-Mount that i used on fujifilm, and now it's on Pentax MX SLR body. By all accounts the hexanon should be a league above, also curious about sharpness with Full Frame sensor with no AA filter.
I was lucky to find this Konica 50mm f1.4 on a old camera body with the 70-150mm lens. I absolutely love it. One of the sharpest vintage 50's I've used at f1.4. Love the build as well. Just looks nice.
It's lovely - enjoy!
Hello Nigel, many thanks! I've the Olympus OM Zuiko 1.4/50 mm, a nice lens indeed! Best wishes, Ralf
Hey Ralf, I hope all's well. The Zuiko 50 is lovely - enjoy!
@@zenography7923 Yes, thanks, I'm fine. I had the Zuiko back in 2014 for my Canon 6D - image quality very good. At 1.4 there 's a soft glow, typical for this era and some vignetting.
I have all three generations of the Zuiko 50/1.4, even though I prefer 40mm LOL … I can’t afford the Zuiko 40, but do have the Hexanon 40/1.8 which is just a stunning lens.
That little Hexanon 40 is one of the unsung gems of the vintage lens world - enjoy!
Great information! I have the Canon, the Nikon, and the Minolta. I used to shoot the Canon a lot on a Samsung NX300. I loved the results with that combo. Sadly, Samsung withdrew from that market. Bummer.
I guess there were just too many players in the game at a point when the camera market was becoming difficult to negotiate? Are you still using the Samsung?
@@zenography7923 On occasion, yes. I like its color rendering, and the menus are easier to navigate than Sony's.
I used to have the Samsung GX1 which a purchased off of eBay back in 2007 but the autofocus was broken 😞 but I could still use it in manuel focus and loved the images I got from it.
Bought a brand new Nikon f1.4 with a FE2 in 1982 I still have both, the lens is now used on my Sony A7.
But in the past did sterling service professionally.
It's a really nice lens. It took me a while to appreciate its qualities but every time I look at images I've shot with it I appreciate it a little more. Enjoy!
I now have the Konica Hexanon 1.4 50mm as well
There's a 38mm zuiko f/1.4 fir the Pen F mount, so roughly 50 equiv on half frame (and I guess if adapted to apsc). People really rave about it (I only have the f/1.8, which I absolutely adore).
The great thing about Konica (and FD) lenses was that, until relatively recently, virtually nobody wanted them because you couldn't adapt them to DSLRs. So they kind of got forgotten. I picked up several while they were really cheap for my early Sony nex cameras. Think I prefer the 50 1.7. The 50mm 1.8 is not bad either (some say it's sharper) and has one advantage: It was, like the 40mm (allegedly) Tokina made and so doesn't have the bloody awful aperture rings that plague the 'proper' Hexanons (did no one say anything at the time?). Maybe I'll give the 1.4 another go.
A vintage lens that will give you sharpness wide open, is the Mamiya E(F) 50mm f/1.4. You need a special adapter with built in aperture though.
Beautiful compositions as usual. Really like the way you use a lens's full potential.
If you haven't already, please share your experience with the Canon Dream Lens 50mm f0.95
I'd love to try a Canon 50 0.95! Maybe in my dreams?
@@zenography7923 In the real world for sure.
good!
How does it compare to the SMC Pentaxes? I've sold all my 1.4 standard vintage lenses (including the Minolta 58/1.4 and Canon FD 50/1.4) except the SMC Pentax-M 50/1.4 because it was the sharpest. I do, however, use Konica Hexanons often, so I wonder if it would make sense to change the Pentax to a Konica and stick to a single adapter?
@2:30 May I ask where you read about the Japanese navy/army and the Hexanon 50mm f1.7? Great review. Thanks. :)
Not sure where I heard it, but this lage may be a good place to start: www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4494748
They say:
"The Japanese government needed photographic equipment for certain projects, this was in the eighties or so.
So, all the big ones from Japan could offer their gear for comparison by technical specialists from the government. Pentax, Nikon, Minolta, Konica, Canon etc.
These specialists chose KONICA! Why? They performed best! Hexanon lenses are often referred to as "Japanese Zeiss".
For a reason. Their lenses are top notch."
You missed the Pentax 50mm f1.4. Who was the photo journalist 20 yrs ago who wrote that article “Tne best fast fifty by far” and that lens? There was some great Takumars as well
I remember, an old friend of mine said to me, that his Konica 1,4/50mm lens did not make sharp images! I took the lens off, and I had seen a thin layer of grease on the rear lens! After cleaning it, the lens was O.K. but not better as other of this 1,4/50mm glasses!
That layer of grease can't have helped - perhaps there was some inside the lens too?
Hi genuine question, when you talk about the colour achieved on a vintage lens are you talking about film or digital or both? If Film what determines the colour more the lens or the film or the developer and how do you combine these. If digital can’t you reproduce the colour achieved by a lens in post production and make lens presets? I currently shoot b&w film, but will one day try colour when I can afford the developing equipment and the film!
You should have included the Takumar 50mm F1.4 in the line up. I am particularly fond of the SMC variation.
Yes, a very nice lens indeed. Should have included it!
Yes you should have my favorite 50mm1.4 lens
@@zenography7923 do you like takumar or konica?
Nice lens. I've got the later one with 8 blades and f22 minimum but I think that they're otherwise the same lens. One major thing that I really don't like about my lens is that I sometimes get horrible reflections from my camera sensor.
Edit
For me this is only a problem when used with studio lights.
That can often happen with mirrorless cameras, especially when shooting in low light. I've seen it happen occasionally on my Sony A7 but it happens so rarely it doesn't trouble me. Is it happening often with your camera?
@@zenography7923 It usually occurs when I'm using studio lights and, in that situation, it ruins the photo - totally dominates an otherwise well exposed shot.
In fairness, as an everyday lens it is fine. On the odd time that I've seen it in say a night shot, it hasn't detracted much from the photo and could be mistaken for slight flare or Coma.
I have a Sony mirrorless with the same sized sensor as yours. Interestingly my lens isn't affected by CA very much so maybe there is a slight difference to the coatings.
If I didn't like studio portraits it would be my best lens hands down and I often use it when I'm out for a walk.
@@zenography7923 My favourite lens from the film days was my Tamron 90mm macro/portrait lens. I was so pleased, on the advent of mirrorless, at the prospect of using it again - but what a disappointment! Nasty purple spot in the centre of the image. Most noticeable at small apertures but it is there throughout the range. I must have used over a hundred different film era lenses since but it remains the only one I've ever had a problem with.
The glass on your Nikon appears to have a yellow cast in the video. Is it one of the ones which uses radioactive glass? I recently bought a Nikkor-s 1.4 which is distinctly yellow from the radioactive glass, and I’ve been debating whether to treat it with UV to get rid of the yellowing, or to keep it as-is. I’m wondering whether your lens is similar, and if so, whether this is the reason for the distinctive colour palate.
I do love the colours produced by Konica lenses, but don't as yet have the f1.4. I do have the f1.8 but it doesn't get used much atm. I have a lot of Rokkor lenses among which are the 50mm f1.4, 55mm f1.7, 58mm f1.4 all excellent for rendering beautiful colours. I have a Takumar 50mm f1.4 and Mamiya 55mm f1.4 and 58mm f1.7 which are equally good with dreamy out of focus blur. I did have a Canon fd 50mm f1.4 which I sold as the rendering didn't enough character as the others.
The (50mm) 1.8 is said to be Tokina made (like the 40mm). It's a good lens IMO but I only have the (metal) early one. You can pick up the 1.7 for about the same money. The earlier version is better (serial number on front ring) as it has half stops and (if memory serves) a shorter MFD. How do you like the MC 55mm 1.7? I've tried four and every one has had a milky haze on the back element so just assumed all of them suffer from this.
@@hoverboverer my copy of the MC 55mm has a stuck aperture at f1.7, which is a common problem. I like it but as I have so many lenses time has been limited so not had a chance to fully appreciate it's abilities.
There appears to be something special about Konica and Minolta lenses in the very wide apertures of this period. I understand that a lot of them were supplied by Tomioka, who had a stock of glass that just imparted a little bit of magic in the lenses that they made for other manufacturers. Are these Konicas really Tomiokas? who can tell, data is sketchy to say the least. I know that I have definitely got a Tomioka special in my collection, and it gives images like no other lens does.
If you are lucky to get your hands on a genuine Tomioka lens you will see what I mean, it's not easy to describe, colours, bokeh, contrast, all seem just that little bit different, elusive, magical., ethereal, almost other-worldly.
Get one, try it, you'll never look at a camera lens in the same way again.
George
Hey George, hope all's well. I think I may have one - someone mentioned the Chinon f1.9 (or f2) from the late '60s was made by Tomioka - not sure if that's correct though. It's interesting to hear that the Konica lenses may be Tomiokas, it would certainly explain their special look! Thanks for watching mon ami.
While there are lots of stories about lenses made by Tomioka, I never heard that in relation to Konica or Minolta. They definitely produced for Yashica, and their 55/1.4 and 55/1.2 for a number of vendors like Chinon, Rikoh, Sears, Revue, Porst etc.
I have a minolta 50 mm 1.4, not the 58 mm. Its really nice
My Konica Hexanon AR 50/1.4 is 8 bladed. Must be there were both 6 and 8 blade version. And it was cheap. Porst / Revuenon price range.
Ive been shopping around for a Jupiter 9 most ive seen are listed as LOMZ a few as KMZ but ive no idea what LOMZ stands for.
The nicest versions of any of the FSU lenses are usually, in my experience, made by KMZ. Not sure what the 'LO' in LOMZ stands for but the 'MZ' means 'mechanichevski zavod', literally 'mechanical factory' or engineering works. I've had mixed results with manufacturers other than KMZ.
What about the Zeiss planar 1.4?
I'd love to try one!
Is it better than the SMC Takumar?
It's subjective of course. I had a Pentax 50 f1.4 and didn't rate it particularly highly as it happens. I prefer the Nikon and the Olympus. But I have to say, internet opinion would differ!
What about the famous pancolar?
The Pancolar is a stunning lens, but it's not an f1.4 so couldn't appear today!
@@zenography7923 ofcourse! Thank you for yet another excellent video. There is a rare 1.4 version but it’s way too obscure. Thank you 😊
@@zenography7923THE famous Pancolar is actually the very rare and expensive 55/1.4 that came with the Pentacon Super at the end of the 1960's. It's a stunning lens (happen to own one) with very special bokeh and sharpness wide open.
The Petri 55/1.4 (with Petri breechlock mount) is said to be the 'poor man's Pancolar' as it has the same optical scheme and comparable sharpness and is much cheaper, but different bokeh. Both are rather exotic lenses, but I would love to see your review in case you could get your hands on them.
I just purchased a Konica 45mm 1.8 lens. Yes, you read that correctly. It was not intended to be an interchangeable lens but was carefully removed from its original camera. Then a rear piece was made from a 3D printer which can accommodate an e-mount adapter. I don't have it yet but have seen sample images. Anxious to try it out.
I've never really needed a lens faster then f/2 or f/1.7.
The f/1.4 Lenses were heavier, bulkier and more expensive. The only photographs that I know that used them, borrowed them for their Company or Employer. They NEVER bought them with their own cash.
I guess the vintage 1.4s were primarily low light lenses, at a time when very few people used film over 400 iso. They're fun to play with as bokeh beasts today though!
@@zenography7923 My recollection of the film days was that the advantage of a fast lens was being able to see while focusing.
The title says the best 50 mm F1.4 of the vintages, the answer is no, it has many merits but it cannot compete in areas such as buke or image quality, both the Canon FD 50 1.4 is better and the Olympus too. The quality of blur is something subjective of course but in my subjectivity the blur of the Konica seems too nervous, in my taste of course, the Minolta 3rd generation MD 50 mm F1.4 looks a lot like the Konica but in my opinion it is more sharp For portraits the Minolta 58mm F1.4 is better than the others.
Great & interesting prog; thnx for sharing! but how about offering credit also where it's due kind and wise Sir? Super Takumar 50mm f/1. 4 (the proper version, wink wink) comes to mind. Immediately. AND. top photo experts seem to be agreement? historically, speaking and right up this this moment in time? Super Takumar 50mm f/1. 4 (the proper version, wink wink). Blessings.
I guess the proper version would be the 8 element lens, rather than the 7? I had a 7 a couple of years ago and while it was nice, I didn't find it as nice as its reputation suggested. I'd love to try an 8 element lens though!
Thx. how about a nice contest between Hexanon 50mm f/1.4 & S Takko 50 f/1.4? only those two? wow it would be really great; a nice diversion from the dark horrors of human bloodshed. @@zenography7923
👮🏾♂
👍
Are you really surprised by the 6 bladed design of the lens , it is in the name of the lens ,right ?
Of course, the penny didn't drop until you mentioned it! Thanks.
@@zenography7923 don’t be too hard on your self. I’ve been thinking to after my response and I thought maybe the hexagon references the lens coating or lens manufacturing. Do you know if Fluor was used making these lenses ? Fluor crystals make hexagon structures if I’m correct
True, even the old Konishiroku Hexanons for Konica F-mount have 6 aperture blades.
I've got a Hexanon with 12 blades and another with 8 so it must mean something else.
@@perin99 Ah yes, I forgot about the LTM Hexanons. Is there another explanation for the Hexanon name?