Konica Hexanon 21 mm / 1:4 chrome ring without AE lock

Konica Hexanon 21 mm / 1:4
earliest version

Konica Hexanon 21 mm / 1:4 chrome ring

Konica Hexanon 21 mm / 1:4
early version

Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 all-black metal focusing ring

Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4
middle version

Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 rubber focusing ring

Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4
late version

Konica Hexanon 21 mm / 1:4
Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4

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The Konica Hexanon / Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 is – together with its successor model Hexanon AR 21 mm / F2,8 – the wide angle lens with the shortest focal length in the Konica line-up that still has a corrected image field. The only Hexanon lens with shorter focal length ist the UC Fish-eye Hexanon AR 15 mm / F2.8, which shows strong perspective distortion as an uncorrected fish-eye lens. With a focal length of 21 mm, the wide angle effect is quite extreme, so breath-taking perspektives and very broad panoramas are possible.

Despite of its exteme focal length, it was available quite early in the Konica lens line-up. The first variations were contemporary to the internal linkAutoreflex T, the 21 mm wide angle lens was available earlier than the internal linkHexanon AR 24 mm / F2.8 with 24 mm focal length. Over the years, it was modernized several times, until it was replaced by its faster and more compact sucessor model Hexanon AR 21 mm / F2.8 during the first half of the 80s. You can find an downoverview over the variations further below on this page. All variations share the extraordinary build quality of the Hexanon lenses from the earlier and middle years.

The Hexanon / Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 is of very good optical quality and renders sharp images with high contrast. Vignetting is visible with this exteme wide-angle lens, but is not too disturbing. Distortions are corrected very well, although there are pincushion distortions detectable with straight lines running parallel to the frame – the extreme wide-angle effect is always clearly visible, however. The faster successor model is said to have better sharpness, but I have no own experiences with this lens.

Lens hood Konica Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4

Lens hood
Konica Hexanon AR
21 mm / F4

Due to its huge, not recessed front element, the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 is a bit prone to flare. With its huge field of view, the sun is frequently lying in or just outside the image. Therefore you should use the original lens hood if possible, which was delivered with the lens. It gives much better protection than a collapsible lens hood, that gives almost no shading with the big diameter and the wide image angle. The original lens hood covers those parts of the front element that are outside the image area on the film, leaving open a rectangular opening . The precise aligning is ensured by a groove in the lens barrel with a corresponding feather in the hood.

The viewfinder image is a bit dim with the widest aperture of 1:4, in low lighting split-image or microprism focusing aids tend to black out – precise focusing is a bit tricky under these circumstances.

When new, the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 was quite an expensive lens, because of its extreme focal length it is quite rare and difficult to find. As a rare collector's item, it tends to fetch high prices nowadays. On the other hand, due to its extreme focal length and its very strong wide angle effect, possible use is somewhat limited. Whether the high price can be justified, is a matter of your personal needs. If you find yourself having much use for this focal length, the Hexanon / Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4 will serve you well.

Lens cap Konica Hexanon 21 mm / F4 earliest version

Lens cap
Konica Hexanon
21 mm / F4
earliest version

Variations
Lens data
Angle of view: 90°
Construction: 11 elements in 7 groups
Aperture: Fully automatic AE,
smallest aperture 16
Closest focusing: 0.2 m (77/8")
Filter thread: 77 mm
Length (at ∞): Metal focusing ring version: 59 mm (25/16")
Rubberized focusing ring version: 53 mm (2116")
Weight: Metal focusing ring version: 340 g (12 oz)
Rubberized focusing ring version: 365 g (12 7/8 oz)
Lens hood: 79 mm clamp-on
special hood, delivered with lens
Lens diagram: Lens diagram Hexanon AR 21 mm / F4
More pages on the Konica Hexanon and Hexar lenses:

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