Konica

Konica (formerly Konishiroku) was one of Japan's oldest photographic companies, predating Canon and Nikon. While globally famous for its film stocks and the ubiquitous "Hexanon" SLR lenses, Konica holds a revered status in the Leica M-mount community for its late 1990s and early 2000s resurgence.

The brand's contribution to the rangefinder world is defined by two distinct waves: a series of limited edition LTM (Leica Thread Mount) lenses released in the 1990s, and the comprehensive M-Hexanon system released alongside the Konica Hexar RF camera in 1999. Konica lenses are widely regarded as the "modern classics" of the M-system, offering optical performance that rivals contemporary Leica Summicrons but with a distinct, high-contrast rendering style often described as the "Hexanon look."

History

Konica's history in the rangefinder market is a story of bold innovation followed by a sudden exit.

Foundations and the "Hexar" Phenomenon (1873 to 1998)

Konica was founded in 1873 by Rokusaburo Sugiura in Tokyo, originally as a photographic materials shop, making it the oldest photographic company in Japan. While they produced cameras throughout the 20th century, their modern rangefinder revival began in 1993 with the release of the Hexar AF. This fixed-lens autofocus camera featured a 35mm f/2 lens that was so optically superior that photographers began demanding it as an interchangeable optic for their Leica cameras. Responding to this demand, Konica manufactured limited runs of the lens in LTM mount, sparking a "rangefinder renaissance" in Japan.

The Hexar RF System (1999 to 2003)

In 1999, Konica launched the Hexar RF, a camera that remains the most technologically advanced M-mount film body ever produced. It featured a 1/4000s electronic shutter, motorized film advance, and aperture priority AE. To accompany it, they released the M-Hexanon lens line. Despite their quality, the system was discontinued in 2003 when Konica merged with Minolta, marking the end of the brand's optical production [1].

Product Lines

Konica's rangefinder lenses are divided into two distinct categories: the earlier limited edition screw-mounts and the standard production bayonet-mounts.

Limited Edition LTM Lenses (Screw Mount)

These lenses were produced in small batches (often 1,000 or 2,000 units) and are highly collectible.

• 35mm f/2 L-Hexanon: A direct port of the lens from the Hexar AF camera. It is often compared to the 35mm Summicron IV ("King of Bokeh") but features a Japanese optical design closer to the Nikkor W 3.5cm f/1.8.
• 35mm f/2 UC-Hexanon: A later, re-engineered version. The "UC" stands for "Ultra Compact" (and arguably "Ultra Coating"). It is significantly smaller than the L-Hexanon and features a focus tab, making it one of the most ergonomic 35mm lenses available for the system [2].
• 50mm f/2.4 Collapsible: A tribute to the vintage Elmar designs. It features a modern optical formula inside a retro-styled barrel that collapses into the camera body for portability.
• 60mm f/1.2: A legendary rarity (only 800 produced). It pays homage to the 1950s Hexanon 60mm f/1.2, offering a unique focal length and massive light gathering capabilities [3].

M-Hexanon Lenses (M-Bayonet)

These were the standard lenses for the Hexar RF camera. They are modern, multicoated optics designed to compete directly with Leica's "Mandler era" and early ASPH designs.

• M-Hexanon 50mm f/2: The standard bearer. It is famously sharp and built to a standard that many users find superior to the Leica Summicron-M of the same era.
• M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8: Known for its high contrast and complete lack of distortion. It is a favorite among street photographers who find the Leica Elmarit too clinically perfect.
• M-Hexanon Dual 21-35mm f/3.4-4: A masterpiece of engineering. This is a dual focal length lens (not a zoom) that switches instantly between 21mm and 35mm. It is considered one of the most useful travel lenses ever made for the M system [4].
• M-Hexanon 50mm f/1.2: Released as a limited kit with the "Millennium" Hexar RF. It provides a soft, glowing character wide open, tightening up to razor sharpness by f/2.8.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mounts	LTM (M39): Limited Edition series. KM-Mount (Leica M Bayonet): Standard M-Hexanon series.
Compatibility Note	M-Hexanon lenses are 100% mechanical and optical clones of the Leica M standard. Early rumors of "back focus" issues on Leica bodies have been largely debunked as myths or results of individual sample variation.
Focus Throw	Generally short and fast (approx. 90 to 100 degrees)
Filter Thread	46mm (Standard M-Hexanons), 43mm (UC-Hexanon), 40.5mm (50mm f/2.4)
Coatings	Advanced Multicoating (matches 1990s Japanese standards)
Build Materials	Anodized Aluminum and Brass helicoids

Why Photographers Choose Konica

• The "Hexanon" Rendering: Konica lenses occupy a sweet spot between vintage character and modern correction. They are sharper than 1960s Leica glass but have more "soul" and vignette than 2020s aspherical lenses.
• Tactile Quality: The build quality of M-Hexanon lenses is legendary. The focus rings are perfectly damped, and the aperture clicks are distinct and mechanical, often cited as feeling "better than Leica."
• The Dual Lens: The 21-35mm Dual remains unique in the M ecosystem. It allows a photographer to carry two essential focal lengths without changing lenses, a capability that neither Leica nor Voigtländer has effectively replicated in a compact form factor.

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Sources

• Wikipedia (Hexar RF History): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konica_Hexar_RF
• Rokkorxblog (UC-Hexanon 35mm Review): https://medium.com/rokkorxblog/konica-hexanon-35mm-f2-ltm-d4bcca07262
• Yanidel (60mm f/1.2 Review): https://yanidel.net/gear/60mm-hexanon-review/
• Dante Stella (Dual 21-35mm Analysis): https://www.dantestella.com/technical/2135.html
• Leicaphilia (Hexar RF System Overview): https://leicaphilia.com/the-best-ae-m-mount-film-camera-ever-made-wasnt-made-by-leica-its-made-by-konica/