I know that Konica fans will take exception to my labeling of this lens as “obscure”. It is certainly well known among the cognoscenti, but I am guessing that the same is not true of those who never got attacked by the Hexanon virus. I would hazard that many more people have heard of the outstanding 55mm macro Hexanon than of its longer focal length cousin. The production run of the 105mm lens was quite a bit shorter than that of the 55mm lens, perhaps ten times as many of the shorter focal length lenses were made (information kindly provided by Jean-Jacques Granas). There is also the additional complication that the 105mm lens is a “bellows ” lens. You have to attach it either to a bellows (which I always found to be rather unwieldy) or to the the very rare Hexanon helicoid
I used to own a 55mm macro Hexanon and came to appreciate that it is a superb lens – too sharp if a lens can be that!!! But I always found 50-60mm macro lenses somewhat frustrating to work with, at least for my style of photography. Not really long enough, or focus distance not really close enough (unless you use extension tubes), or I am too lazy and impatient. Whatever, both the 55mm Hexanon and the very sweet OM Zuiko 50mm f/3.5 which I also owned never quite worked for me. I sold them both, mostly because I was not really using them all that much, despite their outstanding image quality. I also used to own what may be one of the crowning glories of macro lenses, the Zuiko 90mm f/2. Undoubtedly a masterpiece, but again I tended not to use it all that much, largely because it is a very heavy lens but also because I was never quite sold on its out of focus rendition (“bokeh” always sounded cliquish to me), despite its marvelous sharpness, contrast and color. After much soul-searching I sold it too. After all, I am not really a macro photographer, I just like to get up close to a flower or a leaf or some fungi every now and then, so I don’t really need a macro lens. But…
… about a year ago I came across a set of a hardly used Hexanon 105mm f/4 lens with the corresponding helicoid, both in their original silver Konica boxes. The price was more than reasonable (about a fifth of what I got for the 90mm Zuiko) so I decided to try it. And I am happy I did. For my tastes in “macro” photography it is simply perfect. The exact combination of focal length and minimum focus distance (it can be focused much closer with extension rings, but I hardly ever use them). It is also noticeably lighter than the 90mm Zuiko (f/2 vs f/4 makes a big difference). And, although perhaps not optically better than the Zuiko (but this is debatable), it gives me all I want. This gallery may give you a feeling for what this lens is capable of. Take a look, draw your conclusions and then compare notes with my impressions, below.
In my view this lens is every bit as sharp as the 55mm macro Hexanon, but the rendition is much more pleasant, less harsh. Although the bokeh (there it goes) is not quite that of a fast 50mm lens, the out of focus areas blend very smoothly with areas in focus. The transition is natural, for lack of a better word. To me it resembles what one sees with the naked eye. Perhaps that is what gives the images that this lens produces a strong sense of “presence” (though I will be discussing in the near future another lens that is even more remarkable in that respect, this one from Germany – stay tuned). And the colors! They are pure Konica, especially the greens. This may be my own color perception, and color is something that is impossible to compare among individuals, but to me the greens produced by old Hexanon lenses are like no other. It is hard to describe, I would say that they have the perfect balance between being too yellowish or too bluish – they are green, period. But, again, this is subjective and impossible to compare with how anybody else sees that color. The reds too. This is probably a more universal observation: reds are the most difficult colors to render accurately. Hexanons in general do a great job, and the 105mm macro lens is no exception. And one more thing, the Hexanon helicoid allows infinity focus. As you can see from a few of the samples above, the lens also performs magnificently as a regular short telephoto lens.
Every once in a while I wonder whether I made the right decision in selling the 90mm Zuiko. At other times I get this urge of trying a Contax Makro Planar 100mm f/2, or some other insanely expensive rarity such as a Steinheil macro lens. I have the perfect cure for these attacks of equipment acquisition syndrome: I just go out and shoot with the 105mm Hexanon. The cure has never failed me. If you are considering this lens and come across a good one with its helicoid, do not give it a second thought. Buy it before somebody else does. There are not many of them around, and I suspect that very few people will want to part with them.
[…] Konica Macro Hexanon 105mm f/4 – An obscure gem […]
Just great ,i only just finally received my 5Omm konica macro and now you go tempting me with the 105mm hahahaha great gallery examples once again.
Btw loving the 57mm vs the 50mm (Konica) thanks for the great write up.
I got you hooked – good ! 🙂
Btw i should’ve asked here first before the Mflenses or dpreview forums..which would you recommend for the konica 55mm macro..the macro adapter or an AR extension tube set..mine didn’t come with the adapter (ebay).
Btw the editing on those macro examples in your gallery are insanely good..what software are you using for editing btw..i these and the cat photos are remarkable .
The 55mm has its own focusing helicoid, so any extension tube with AR mount should work fine. It should go down to 1:2 without the extension tube, and 1:1 with the original tube. Te original would of course be nicer, but not necessary. The 105mm is different, though, as it has no focusing helicoid, it is only a “bellows head”. For the 105mm you do need the original Konica helicoid, or the bellows, as there is no way to focus it otherwise.
Regarding editing software, I use Capture One for all my work. I find that it extracts detail from the raw files that Photoshop simply does not “see”. It also has a very uncluttered and intuitive workspace, is incredibly flexible and fast. One caveat, I have only used it on Sony, Leica and Panasonic raw files. I do not know how it performs with other formats, but I have never read anything bad about it. Pricewise it is about the same as Photoshop, but with better support, in my view.
I hope this helps – good light man !!
Your video on YouTube named ‘Back to the Future’ was an eye opener.
Since then, I got myself a Pentax Takumar 50mm f/1.4 lens, and have been extremely happy with it. Although sharpness and contrast wide-open isn’t all that great.
I am using a Sony A6000. Would you recommend buying Contax lenses say the 35-75 Vario Sonnar or even a prime like the 35mm f/1.4? What other lenses wold yo recommend for in the standard focal length range?
Thanks,
Malik
Thank you for your visit, Malik. The Vario Sonnar 35-70 is outstanding, I hope to write a review of it soon. The Minolta MD 35-70 is not far behind, though, and much less expensive. If you are looking for a 35mm prime (about 50mm equivalent on the A6000), then the very best, in my view, is the Leica Summicron. The Contax may be as good, but I have no experience with it. You also can’t go wrong with any of the 35mm Minoltas or Zuikos. Or, a still undiscovered gem, the Zeiss Skoparex 35mm f/3.4 from the 1960’s, a really surprising lens, if not all that fast.
Cheers!
Alberto
Thanks a lot. Really appreciate it.
I will be bombarding you with more questions in the future. Hope you won’t mind.
Keep making a dent in the universe.
Hello! I just got the 105mm on eBay. Unfortunately, it does not come with the helicoid. I did not realize that would be an issue until I read your article. Are there any other extension rings I can purchase on Amazon that would work instead? Thank you so much!!
Hello Laura,
Thank you for your visit! You can use the 105mm lens with a bellows, they are plentiful and inexpensive on ebay. Of course it is not as practical as the helicoid, but it works very well. If I were you I would get a bellows and keep searching for the helicoid. Sooner or later one will turn up.
I hope this helps.
Alberto
Yay! I found the helicoid! I tried it out today on my a6000 and was surprised at how far away I needed to be from the object I’m photographing. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong? Thank you for your reply and the very useful info!
As long as you can get sharp focus I don’t think that you are doing anything wrong. Bear in mind that the longer focal length (compared to, say, a 50mm macro lens) requires a greater working distance. Have you tried going back and forth between adjusting the focus on the helicoid and moving the camera? If you can always get sharp focus at some point then you are fine.
Got it!! Thanks for your reply!
Wow, why don’t I have any Konica glass. Started on the 57 1.4 & started scrolling through your lens reviews, the opening photo stopped me dead in my tracks. Love this focal length for macro.
Hi Viktor,
If you are patient and can find one with the dedicated helicoid you will never regret it. Good luck!