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. 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].

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. It focuses to 0.7 m, takes common 46mm filters, and is rangefinder coupled for use on Leica M and compatible bodies. 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. 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. 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.

The 28mm was discontinued along with the rest of the Konica M system, which was quietly withdrawn before the end of 2003 as digital capture took hold, leaving the lens out of production after a short commercial life. 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.

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. 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.

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. A separate test on the M typ 240, using a sample recollimated to Leica spec, reported results the reviewer found clearly better than remembered.

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.

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

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. 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.

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. The 28mm was positioned as the system's all-round wide-angle and would remain the widest prime in Konica's KM-mount range.

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. The whole line was short-lived, discontinued without much fanfare before the end of 2003.

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.

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. 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. 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.