Two different 50mm f1.7 AE lenses? Anyone else notice this?

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Not sure if this has been talked about before, but I have 2 very different Konica Hexanon 50mm f1.7 AE lenses in my hands here and was wondering if one of these are rare or not?

Ok, here goes:

Konica Hexanon 50mm f1.7 AE lenses #1: Serial Number:7853636. Konica Hexanon 50mm f1.7 AE lenses #2: Serial Number:7416391.

Differences in lenses:

#1: Smaller type face (lighter too) around the inside front of lens. Serial number is writen where around the inside front of lens. #2 has a bolder type face (like the 50mm f1.8 lens) and the serial number is on the barrel of the lens.

#1: Focusing numbers down to 1.5 ft/.45m #2 has Focusing numbers down to 1.75ft /.55m. #1 the AE is printed in GREEN. #2 in White

#1: The inside front of the lens is metal. #2. The inside front of the lens is plastic. (or it seems that way)

#1: The outside front of the lens is straight from the barrel of the lens to the front end of the lens. #2. Same as above, but 1/2 way up it has a "flange" of about 2mm in width and 5mm in length out to the front end of the lens.

#1: when you set it at its closest focusing point the lens is about 1/4 inch or 1cm longer than #2.

#1: has its silver mount go right to the edge. #2 has its silver mount go about 3mm away from the edge and a black mount can be seen to the edge.

Ok, this is strange to me. Any answers?

Mike

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

Answers

Can there be 2 Different AE versions of the same lens?

I was just informed by Fred M. that:

"You simply have early and late models of a very common, but good, Hexanon lens. The larger version came out with the T-3 circa 73. The smaller version came out a few years later and may have been made into the early 80s. "

So, my new question is.. Does this mean there are different versions of the same AE lens floating around out there? I.e. 2 different versions of the 135mm f3.2, or the 28mm f1.8, or any AE lens?

Mike

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001


2 Different 28mm f/3.5's

Mike, I have two different 28mm f/3.5 Hexanon lenses. I don't have them at hand here to take measurements, etc. (e-mail me if you want a more detailed description), but one has a maximaum aperture of f/16 while the other has a maximum aperture of f/22. The lens with the aperture of f/22 is likely of the same date as the later electronic FS-1, FC-1, etc. cameras. As well, the optical formula has probably changed as the later lens is slightly shorter and lighter in weight as well as having a slightly different front element. As far as I can tell, they perform about the same (i.e. excellent, as they are both Hexanon lenses). I also have two 50mm f/1.7 lenses. I'll have to look and see if they are different. Tom Hulit

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

That's interesting. (re: 28mm f3.5)

I looked at my 28mm f3.5 lens and it is a f22 one. It focuses down to 1foot or 0.3meters, what does the f16 one focus down to?

Mike Photography Blue Book web site. Server #1 Photography Blue Book web site. Server #2

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001


f1.7 Hexanon Variations

Mike, no mystery here. I have 3 f1.7 hexanons. #1 is from an Autoreflex T3. It is the same as your #1. s/n 7883179. It is the early "heavy metal" lens. You will also notice that the ribbing on the earlier lens is much finer and on the "f-stop pointer" ring as well as on the aperture ring. The rubber diamonds on the focusing ring are also finer. The lenscap on this one says "KONICA"

I have 2 of the later lenses. #7133051 and 7180833. They are from the later Autoreflex TC and T4 era. The lenscap on these says "Konica"

Konica serial numbers are meaningless. Ignore them as a guide as to when something was made

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001


f/1.7 Hexanon Variations

Jim, There is also a type with the old metal knurling. I, too, have one originally sold with my T3. I also have a compact version of this speed lens. I don't believe it is the same formula, however.

Jon from Deepinaharta, Georgia

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2001



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