Konica M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8

Konica M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8

The M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8 was Konica's bid to build a complete rangefinder system around its Hexar RF body, and it remained the shortest prime in the company's M-compatible lineup [3]. Introduced in 1999 alongside the Hexar RF, it joined the 50mm and 90mm in a launch built on the classical rangefinder focal lengths, with Konica drawing on a long-standing reputation for high-quality optics [3]. Reviewers have generally treated it as a capable, versatile wide-angle that produces strong results without matching the very latest Leica designs pixel for pixel [1][3].

Optically the lens uses 8 elements in 7 groups in a conventional spherical, multicoated design, and because the rear nodal point sits at the mounting flange it works as a non-retrofocus layout rather than a retrofocus wide-angle [1]. It focuses to 0.7 m, takes common 46mm filters, and is rangefinder coupled for use on Leica M and compatible bodies [1]. The barrel is all metal, with anodized aluminium outer rings, brass helicoids, engraved and paint-filled markings, and a chrome mount; the only plastic part is the red index ball [1]. Focusing is by ring rather than a tab and runs slightly stiffer than a Leica equivalent, while the aperture ring operates almost as smoothly; one reviewer described the overall feel as somewhere between a Vivitar and a Cosina-made Voigtländer lens, well built but not as refined as Zeiss or Leica [1]. Konica marketed the lens under its KM mount, described as a copy of the Leica M mount, which has prompted recurring discussion about whether KM lenses sit at exactly Leica specification; in practice many users report no real obstacle to using it on Leica and Cosina bodies, and an electronic viewfinder removes any focusing uncertainty [3].

The 28mm was discontinued along with the rest of the Konica M system, which was quietly withdrawn before the end of 2003 as digital capture took hold, leaving the lens out of production after a short commercial life [3]. No distinct factory variants of this lens are widely documented; it was sold in black finish only. Its filter thread follows the Leica pattern at 46mm rather than the more unusual 40.5mm thread of the Konica 50/2 kit lens [3].

Optical qualities

Rendering Documented impressions describe a versatile wide-angle that renders cleanly, with good sharpness and notably good flare resistance, though on modern high-resolution digital sensors the design shows its age, mainly wide open and in the corners [3]. Testing on a Leica M typ 240 found the lens better than expected, with surprisingly pleasant out-of-focus rendering for a wide lens and usable sunstars [2]. Reviewers consistently rate it a strong performer for general photography rather than a corner-to-corner clinical optic [1][2][3].

Sharpness On a Leica M9 the centre is described as very good wide open and improving on stopping down, with edges that are softer at f/2.8 and clean up by the middle apertures; overall sharpness is judged better than typical SLR lenses and more than enough for fine photographs, while still trailing the Leica 28mm f/2.8 ASPH at the pixel level [1]. A separate test on the M typ 240, using a sample recollimated to Leica spec, reported results the reviewer found clearly better than remembered [2].

Distortion and vignetting Distortion is reported as effectively absent, with only a tiny correction suggested for critical work, and falloff is described as normal for a 28mm rangefinder lens and rarely a practical problem [1].

Aberrations No lateral color fringing was observed on a Leica M9 in one detailed test [1].

Digital use The lens performs well on digital M bodies overall, but the roughly quarter-century-old design reaches its limits on modern sensors, most visibly wide open and toward the frame edges [3]. Lenses made before the M8 era were not always collimated for a flat sensor, so a sample optimised to current Leica spec can give noticeably better results [2].

History

Development and Launch The M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8 appeared in 1999 as part of Konica's launch of the Hexar RF system, which opened with 28mm, 50mm, and 90mm primes [3]. The 28mm was positioned as the system's all-round wide-angle and would remain the widest prime in Konica's KM-mount range [3].

Production Evolution Konica's M lenses were sold under the KM mount, presented as a Leica M copy, and the compatibility of that mount with Leica bodies has been a recurring topic among users [3]. The whole line was short-lived, discontinued without much fanfare before the end of 2003 [3].

Special editions No major factory special editions or alternative finishes of the M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8 are widely documented; it was offered in black [3].

Collector Notes Because the Konica M system was produced only briefly, surviving lenses have become relatively scarce and prices have risen, with one long-time reviewer noting used values have climbed toward those of comparable Leica lenses [1][3]. Buyers should be aware of the KM-versus-Leica-M fit discussion and consider checking that a sample focuses accurately on the intended body, since not all early examples were collimated for digital sensors [2][3]. The lens shipped with a screw-in vented metal hood and soft cases; when the hood is fitted the original slip-on metal front cap will not attach, so a center-squeeze 46mm cap is the practical replacement, and the hood had no separate type number listed in the manual [3].

Sources

• [1] Ken Rockwell. Konica M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8. https://www.kenrockwell.com/konica/hexar-rf/28mm.htm
• [2] The Machine Planet. Konica M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8. https://themachineplanet.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/konica-m-hexanon-28mm-f2-8/
• [3] Macfilos. The M Files (13): Three Konica M-Hexanon lenses, one of them is a real gem and truly exotic. https://www.macfilos.com/2022/04/08/the-m-files-13-three-lenses-from-konica-one-of-them-is-a-real-gem-and-truly-exotic/