The Konica Hexanon 24mm is a Japanese prime lens from the 1960s, originally designed for still photography and rehoused by Ancient Optics in a GL housing for film set use.
1. Overview
The Konica Hexanon 24mm is a Japanese prime lens from the 1960s, originally developed for photography and rehoused by Ancient Optics in a GL housing for film set use. As a rehoused vintage lens with a T2.9 aperture, it is available on the rental market as a lightweight wide-angle with a distinct character.
2. Characteristics
Flare characteristics according to CINEFLARES datasheet:
- Types: Spherical Spot, Rainbow, Caustic
- Colors: Blue, Amber
- Intensity: Strong
Linked pattern entries:
3. Creative Use
The 24mm Hexanon is suitable for shoots where a soft, contrast-reduced wide-angle image is desired – typical for naturalistic looks or period productions that want to avoid modern sharpness. The flares are documented with strong intensity: spherical spots, rainbow artifacts, and caustic-like light structures in blue and amber, which visibly interfere with direct backlight. The GL housing provides a modern focus ring and standard mounts, simplifying its use in classic rental environments with follow focus systems. Weighing just under one kilogram, it remains manageable for shoulder or gimbal setups. Specific film references are not definitively documented and are not listed here.
4. Specs Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ancient Optics (GL Rehoused) |
| Type | Prime FF |
| Year | 1960 |
| Country | Japan |
| Era | Vintage |
| Focal Length (Reference Datasheet) | 24.0mm |
| T-Stop Range | T2.9 – T22.0 |
| Squeeze | 1.0× |
| Weight | 0.98 kg / 2.14 lb |
| Close Focus | 0.38 m / 15" |
| Distortion | N/A |
News
Konica's Hexanon lenses are enjoying growing popularity within the vintage lens community. Collectors and filmmakers particularly appreciate their solid construction, good ergonomics, and optical quality at still moderate prices. The 40mm model is considered particularly recommendable, while the 50mm F/2 in M-mount version occasionally shows slight focus deviations.
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Konica Hexanon"?