Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8

The Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 was recommended to me by a good friend who used to be a professional photographer. He absolutely swears by this wide angle lens, saying that it is one of the best lenses in its’ price range and ideal on any cropped sensor camera. It is true that on paper this lens does look promising. It has a wide angle of view, ideal for micro 4/3 and other cropped sensor cameras. It has an incredible short minimal focusing distance of only 25cm. The Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 is also not that expensive and priced well below the comparable Carl Zeiss Flektogon alternatives. What better way to find out what its really worth than by taking it for a walk through the park I grew by.

Konica Hexanon AR 24 2.8 Recommendation

PROs:

• good build quality
• light & compact wide angle lens
• sharp, especially when stopped down
• good contrast
• amazing minimum focusing distance
• value for money

First things first: I have not been disappointed.

The Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 really offers a great package! It is one of those lenses you can do a bit of everything with. Interested in landscape photography? No problem the wide angle of view will deliver even on a cropped sensor. Low light photography? At F2.8 it might not be the fastest lens but it is still reasonable for a wide angle lens. Fancy doing some macro shots? Get in there, the minimum focusing distance of only 25 cm is really amazing. Any Portraiture pictures required? Open up that aperture and you receive a decent bokeh with nice sharpness. The lens is very sharp when stopped down, the colors are beautiful and the contrast is good.

The Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 is really one of those lenses that will probably be mounted most of the time on your camera body. Of course some lenses might be better at this or better at that, but as an all-rounder the  Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 really does not have to hide – especially at that price. If you don’t want to carry tons of glass around and are looking for a good, light and not too expensive lens, go for the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8. I am sure this little gem would be an ideal lens for any trips where convenience and versatility are required.

CONs:

• slight vignetting
• bokeh is not overwhelming
• rare and hard to find, especially the late f22 version

There really is not too much I can complain about, especially in this price range. I did have the impression that the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 is struggling with bright sources of light like reflections, but most lenses will. The bokeh is not out of this world but still decent enough. There is a bit of vignetting but nothing to worry about. All in all a great lens that offers a bit of everything – I am sure you will not be disappointed if you get a Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8.

Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm 2.8 Versions

The Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 lens was manufactured in Konica AR mount.

Different versions of the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 exist. The first version has a minimum aperture of f16. This older version of the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 is slightly longer and heavier.

The later model of the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 has a redesigned optical formula enabling a minimum aperture of f22. These newer versions of the Konica Hexanon AR 24 mm F2.8 are shorter in size and much lighter.  The later models are recognizable by the green AE mark next to the aperture settings.

• Mounts
  • Konica AR

• Weight: 280 gr (f16 version) & 205 gr (f22 version)
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 25cm
• Filter Mount: 55mm
• Made in Japan
• Aperture: 2.8 – 16 (early version) & 2.8 – 22 (later version)
• 8 elements in 8 groups