Our favorite budget 28mm, yes even over the Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron (see the test here), has a new friend at home thanks to KEH Cameras; the Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 designed for the Konica Hexar RF film cameras. Will this 20 year old lens keep-up with the newer (and less expensive) option from 7Artisans? Lets see how via this simple test of wide-open and stopped down sharpness/contrast and color performance.
All images were given a slight and equal post processing and same white balance value.
Each lens wide-open
7Artisan 28mm f1.4 at 1.4 aperture
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 at 2.8 aperture
Each lens at f2.8 aperture cropped
7Artisan 28mm f1.4 at 2.8 aperture cropped
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 at 2.8 aperture cropped
From what we have seen, the contrast and overall color from both is very close. The 7Artisans has the benefit of being stoped down 2 whole stops from wide-open, always improving the IQ. And at this stopped down aperture the center sharpness is only ever so slightly surpassing the wide-open sharpness of the Konica at f2.8. The 7Artisan commendably does a great job with the bokeh of the out of focus areas at this aperture, where they appear slightly more smooth than on the Konica. At f5.6 the Konica and 7Artisans are essentially on the same sharpness level, meaning, for street photography at apertures 5.6 or smaller like f8, you could be better off with the much smaller Konica lens (226 grams) versus the 2x heavier and larger 7Artisans (489 grams). BUT the 7Artisans exhibits more saturated colors, and perhaps slight increase of overall contrast that makes its images pop when directly compared; this of course can all be tweaked in post.
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240 cropped
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240
Konica Hexanon 28mm f2.8 on Leica M240
In-hand feel couldn’t be more different with the size and weight of the 7Artisans making it better for adapted mirrorless setups than on small rangefinders. You only get full stops clicks on the aperture as well, a small detail but one the Konica does better with 1/2 stops for more precise light metering via this adjustment. Our minty copy of the Konica from KEH is built just as well if not a touch nicer than the 7Artisans with a slightly longer and stiffer focus throw. The 7Artisans has a nicer finish though that doesn’t look “plastic” as the Konica does.
If you need a fast 28mm f1.4 aperture, low-light lens and plan to use it on a mirrorless setup, the 7Artisans is the better option. If you are a streetphotographer looking for a unique and small alternative to Voigtlander or Leica glass for your rangefinder camera, the Konica Hexanon would be our pick.