Data sheet: Konica Hexanon AR 135 mm f/3.5 (late)

Pekka Buttler, 08/2022 (Updated 01/2024)

Specifications

The table below summarizes the lens’ key specifications:

Brand:	Konica	Lens name	HEXANON AR 135 mm F 3.5
Focal length(s)1	135 mm	Angle-of-view2	18 °
Maximum Aperture	f/3.5	In Production	1978–1987
Lens mount	Konica AR	Subfamily (if applicable)	––
Length3	84,0 mm	Diameter4	62,4 mm
Filter ring diameter	55 mm	Weight	325 grams
Lens element count	4	Lens group count	4
Aperture blades (S/R/C)5	6 S	Focus throw	170 °
Minimum focusing distance	1,5 m	Maximum magnification	1:9
Has manual aperture ring	YES	Has Manual focus ring	YES

Further notes:
• This lens replaced the Konica Hexanon AR 135 mm f/3.2 [data sheet] in the Konica lineup in 1978, which in turn had replaced the Konica Hexanon AR 135 mm f/3.5 (early) [data sheet] in 1970.
• JAPB is offering distinct data sheets for the earlier and late auto-aperture 135/3.5 lenses, because the lens was fundamentally redesigned before being reintroduced in 1976.
• This, late version of the Konica 135/3.5 can easily be identified by a rubber focus grip and a minimum aperture of f/22.
• This lens offered a built-in (pull-out) hood, that might however be shorter than sometimes needed.

History of Konica AR lenses

Konica is one of those names that will not ring any bells to those who’ve only recently started photographing, but for many years Konica was one of the ‘Great Japanese camera companies’.

After a short-lived and only moderately successful line of SLR cameras known as the Konica F-line (1960-1965), Konica hit pay dirt with the introduction of the Konica Auto-Reflex in 1965 and its new, Konica AR mount. The Auto-Reflex was at the time the first affordable system camera with integrated auto-exposure (albeit the exposure metering was not yet TTL). The Auto-Reflex was followed by a two lines of successful cameras – the more ambitious Autoreflex T-line and the more pedestrian Autoreflex A-line – before Konica (along with the rest of Japanese camera companies) stepped up the automation of their SLR cameras with the 1-series (FS-1, FC-1, FP-1, and FT-1).

But while Konica had often been at the forefront of automation (first shutter priority auto-exposure system, first SLR with integrated winder), Konica’s star had been waning, and Konica decided to not compete against the likes of Minolta, Nikon, Canon, and Pentax in autofocus technology. Instead Konica withdrew from SLR and SLR lens manufacture and focused on compacts and other optoelectronics. Two decades later Konica merged with Minolta to form KonicaMinolta, which subsequently sold its camera business to Sony. So, after a fashion, the DNA of Konica’s camera business lives on in Sony’s camera division.

Relevantly, the Konica AR mount had a relatively good and long (1965–1987) run, and stayed remarkably unchanged throughout. Hence, while Konica changed the design of their AR lenses during those years – moving towards lighter constructions, rubber focus rings, and a more modern look (for more detail, look here) – all AR lenses are physically entirely compatible with all AR-mount bodies.´

Versions

The genealogy of the 135/3.5 design is quite distinguished:
(1962–65) F-mount: preset aperture, metal focus ring
(1962–65) F-mount: auto aperture, metal focus ring
(1965-69) AR-mount: preset aperture, chrome ring, shiny finish, metal focus ring
(1965–67) AR-mount: auto aperture, chrome ring, shiny finish, metal focus ring
(1967–70) AR mount: auto aperture, chrome ring, matte finish, metal focus ring [data sheet]
– – – Temporarily replaced in lineup by Konica Hexanon AR 135 mm f/3.2 [data sheet]
– – – reintroduction of a redesigned 135/3.5 (and discontinuation of the 135/3.2)
(1978-87) AR mount: auto aperture, all-black, rubber focus ring, integrated hood [this lens]

From 1975 to 1978 Konica also offered a 135 mm f/3.5 lens under its budget-friendly ‘Hexar’ (not Hexanon) brand. That lens is optically not related to any of these lenses.

Adapting

n.B! The following applies to all Konica AR mount lenses.

This lens cannot be used natively on any current SLR or dSLRs. To use it in its native environment, you will need a Konica AR-mount film body.

Thanks to being a fully manual lens (manual aperture, manual focus), the lens can be adapted to all mirrorless cameras using a suitable adapter. Moreover, Konica AR lenses are so uncomplicated that a simple ‘dumb adapter’ will do the job perfectly. However, due to Konica AR lenses not being among the most numerously manufactured, special adapters (helicoid adapters, tilt/shift adapters) are not easy to come by and speed boosters are currently unavailable.

Using Konica AR lenses on dSLRs is possible, but difficult. Due to the exceptionally short flange focal distance of the Konica AR mount (at 40,5 mm, a lot shorter than that of any full-frame dSLR mount), any adapter will necessitate some optics to achieve anything near infinity focus.

Footnotes

¹ Focal length is (unless stated otherwise) given in absolute terms, and not in Full-frame equivalent. For an understanding of whether the lens is wide/tele, see ‘Angle-of-view’.

² Picture angle is given in degrees (based on manufacturers’ specs) and concerns the diagonal picture angle. Rule of thumb:
> 90 ° ==> Ultra-wide-angle
70–90 ° ==> Wide-angle
50–70 ° ==> Moderate wide-angle
40–50 ° ==> ‘Standard’ or ‘normal’ lens
20–40 ° ==> Short tele lens
10-20 ° ==> Tele lens
5-10 ° ==> Long tele lens
< 5 ° ==> Ultra-tele lens

³ Length is given from the mount flange to the front of lens at infinity.

⁴ Diameter excludes protrusions such as rabbit ears or stop-down levers.

⁵ S=straight; R=rounded; C=(almost)circular at all apertures.