Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/1.2 Limited

Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/1.2 Limited

The Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/1.2 Limited is the fast standard lens supplied with the titanium-finished Hexar RF Limited set in 2001. Production was restricted to 2,001 individually numbered examples. Its combination of native Leica M compatibility, f/1.2 speed and limited-set provenance places it apart from the regular M-Hexanon 50mm f/2.

The optical system uses seven elements in six groups in an evolved double-Gauss arrangement. A ten-blade diaphragm closes to f/16. The lens measures approximately 52mm from the mount, has a maximum diameter of 68mm, accepts 62mm filters and weighs about 390g. Rangefinder coupling extends to the marked 0.9m minimum distance. It has no Leica six-bit coding.

A broad knurled focusing ring replaces the focusing tab used on some compact M lenses. The aperture ring sits toward the front and uses positive click stops. The large front section and 62mm filter thread make the lens more substantial than the regular 50mm f/2, but the short barrel keeps the weight close to the camera. The dedicated ventilated screw-in hood is designed to limit finder obstruction.

Optical qualities

Rendering

At f/1.2, the lens produces shallow depth of field with lower overall contrast and a mild veil around bright transitions in demanding light. Central detail remains usable, while the outer field and high-contrast edges become more controlled as the aperture is closed. By approximately f/2 to f/2.8, contrast and definition rise markedly, giving a more neutral and technically even image. The ten-blade diaphragm helps retain rounded out-of-focus highlights when stopped down.

The 0.9m close-focus limit is conservative beside later 0.7m M lenses, but it matches the rangefinder coupling of the Hexar RF system. Precise calibration matters at f/1.2, and a prospective user should test focus alignment with the intended camera body.

Collector value depends heavily on originality and set completeness. The individually engraved number should fall within the 2,001-piece edition, and the titanium-toned finish should be checked for wear or refinishing. The original Hexar RF Limited body, hood, caps, filter, case and packaging add context, but the lens remains a distinct database entry. A number such as 1437/2001 identifies one specimen and is not a model number.