Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4

Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM

The Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM is a limited-production collapsible normal lens made in Leica screw mount. It was released in 1997 as part of Konica’s late film-era return to Leica-thread-mount rangefinder lenses, following renewed interest around the Konica Hexar and Konica’s L-mount projects. Shige’s Hobby describes the lens as the Konica L39 Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 and lists it as a collapsible L39 rangefinder lens with 6 elements in 4 groups, 10 aperture blades, 0.8m minimum focus and 40.5mm filter thread [1].

The lens should be kept separate from the Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 for the Hexar RF system. The 50mm f/2.4 is a screw-mount collapsible lens, while the M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 is a Leica M-mount lens with a different optical formula and different mechanical design. Lens-DB lists the Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 as an LSM lens introduced in 1997, with 6 elements in 4 groups and 35mm full-frame coverage [2].

This entry covers the Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw-mount version. The make should be Konica. “KMZ Hexanon” should be treated as a seller-title error unless the physical lens shows unusual custom engraving, because Hexanon is Konica branding and KMZ is a different Soviet manufacturer.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM is a compact Gaussian-type normal lens with a modern coated look and collapsible handling. Shige’s Hobby describes the optical construction as a Gaussian design with 6 elements in 4 groups, rather than a simple Tessar-type collapsible lens. This gives it a different identity from older collapsible 50mm f/3.5 lenses.

Sharpness

Published bench testing is limited, but the lens has a strong user reputation as a capable compact normal lens. Shige’s review presents it as a high-quality L39 lens and discusses its practical performance on Leica M rangefinder cameras. Sharpness should still be treated as copy-dependent because many examples are now collector lenses and may be bought more for rarity than daily use.

Contrast and color

The lens is a modern late-1990s coated design, so contrast is generally expected to be stronger than many mid-century collapsible LTM lenses. Exact coating details are not fully documented in the sources used here, so claims about special coating types should be avoided unless confirmed from Konica documentation.

Bokeh and transitions

The lens has 10 aperture blades according to Shige’s specification table. Combined with the f/2.4 aperture and 50mm focal length, this can give moderate subject separation, though it should not be treated as a dedicated bokeh lens like a 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.2.

Handling

The collapsible barrel is central to the lens’s appeal. Users should verify safe collapse clearance before collapsing the lens on digital Leica M bodies or adapted mirrorless cameras. Rangefinderforum discussions specifically raise the question of whether the lens can be safely collapsed into a digital M, which shows this is a practical issue for users rather than just a collector detail [5].

Digital use

The lens can be used on Leica M cameras with an L39-to-M adapter and on mirrorless cameras with suitable adapters. Because it focuses to 0.8m and is rangefinder-coupled, focus accuracy should be checked on the exact camera and adapter combination. Safe collapse clearance should also be verified before collapsing the lens on any digital body.

History

Development and Launch

The Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM was released in 1997 as a limited Konica screw-mount lens. Lens-DB lists the Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LSM as a 1997 lens. Collector reports commonly describe it as a limited edition of around 2,000 units, and Korean collector writing specifically states that Konica released it as a 2,000-piece limited edition [6].

Production Evolution

No broad production evolution is documented. The lens appears as a single limited collapsible screw-mount model, usually in silver or champagne-silver finish. Public sources do not clearly establish multiple optical revisions, so the database should not split it into versions unless supported by serial-number or factory documentation.

Special Editions/Variants

The lens itself is a limited edition. The main collector-relevant distinction is completeness: original box, caps, documentation, hood or adapter, and condition. Some listings may include an L39-to-M adapter, but that should be recorded as accessory information rather than part of the lens model [7].

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the Konica Hexanon engraving, 50mm f/2.4 marking, Leica L39 / M39 screw mount, collapsible barrel operation, rangefinder coupling, serial number, 40.5mm filter thread, original box and accessories. Important condition checks include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, aperture function, smooth focusing, barrel wobble and safe collapse behavior. Do not list it under KMZ unless the listing is for an unusual custom item with clear proof.

Special editions

The Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM is itself a limited-production lens.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2.4 LTM, collapsible Leica L39 / M39 screw-mount version.
• Complete boxed examples with original caps, paperwork and accessories.
• Examples sold with L39-to-M adapters, accessory difference only.
• Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2, Leica M-mount Hexar RF lens, separate entry.
• Konica Hexanon 35mm f/2 LTM, related Konica L-mount project lens, separate entry.
• Earlier Konica / Hexanon LTM lenses from the 1950s, historically related but separate entries.