Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f1.2 - Lens Info
Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f1.2
I told myself I wasn’t going to buy any more vintage lenses, but I couldn’t resist! I’m super excited to add the Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f1.2 to my collection! This lens has a bit of a legendary status and always sparks conversation among vintage lens enthusiasts, not least because of its reputation for being seriously radioactive. Honestly, I hadn’t planned on adding it to my collection, it’s pricey and I already have more than enough lenses waiting for content. But when I spotted this one on eBay at a great price, I had to jump on the opportunity. At f1.2 it’s a beauty, letting in an incredible amount of light, with rock-solid build quality and a focus ring that turns with buttery smoothness.
This one’s still new to me, and rather than dump a bunch of generic specs, I want to spend some real time with it, get to know its quirks and character and then share a proper, experience-based review. Come back and check the blog in a month for an updated report :)
LENS SPECS
Release Date: 1967
Format: 35mm
Mount: AR
Filter: 62mm
Aperture Blades: 6
Aperture Range: 1.2 - 16
Min Focus Distance: 0.45m
Weight: 460g
Lens IS: No
Weather Sealing: No
Optical Design: 7 elements in 6 groups
APS-C Conversion Approx.: 91mm
Gear Shots
Radiation
The Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f1.2 is radioactive, significantly more so than most other radioactive vintage lenses. From my research on the interwebs, measurements show roughly 37,600 CPM at the front element and about 26,000 CPM at the rear, making it “hot” from both directions. Most lenses with thoriated glass typically have it confined to either the front or the back, but the Hexanon 57mm f1.2 is rare in using it at both ends. The thorium wasn’t a mistake, it was deliberately added to enhance the optical qualities of the glass, and Konica even highlighted this feature in their advertising at the time.
Is it dangerous?
The Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f1.2, like other thoriated lenses, is mildly radioactive, but it isn’t dangerous in normal use. Most of the radiation it gives off is alpha radiation, which can’t penetrate skin or the lens body, and the small amount of gamma radiation emitted is far below harmful levels for casual handling or photography. Ideally when storing this lens keep it on some sort of container and away from your desk where you spend hours editing photos.
