Data sheet: Konica Hexar AR 135 mm f/3.5

Pekka Buttler, 08/2024

Specifications

The table below summarizes the lens’ key specifications (measurements based on pictured, last version of the lens):

Brand:	Konica	Lens name	HEXAR AR 135mm F3.5
Focal length(s)1	135 mm	Angle-of-view2	18°
Maximum Aperture	f/3.5	In Production	1975–1979
Lens mount	Konica AR	Subfamily (if applicable)	––
Length3	98,4 mm	Diameter4	68,6 mm
Filter ring diameter	55 mm	Weight	556 grams
Lens element count	4	Lens group count	4
Aperture blades (S/R/C)5	6 S	Focus throw	180 °
Minimum focusing distance	1,5 m	Maximum magnification	1:9,0
Has manual aperture ring	YES	Has Manual focus ring	YES
Aperture mechanism type	Auto	Aperture click stops 6	3.5-5.6-8-11-16

Further notes:

• In 1975 Konica introduced a lineup of three lenses under the name ‘Hexar’ next to the established and respected line of ‘Hexanon’ lenses. These three were a Hexar 28 mm f/3.5 [data sheet] a Hexar 135 mm f/3.5 (this lens) and a Hexar 200 mm f/4 lens [data sheet]. The Hexar lenses were from the onset intended for the budget-first consumer. Typically Hexar lenses differed from contemporary Hexanons by a combination of a) simpler optical designs; b) less compact constructions; c) smaller max apertures (in the case of the 135 and 200 mm Hexars); d) lower quality packaging.
• While the Hexar lenses sold relatively well, they were promptly discontinued in 1978 in favour of a new lineup of budget-friendly Hexanon lenses.
• The 135 mm Hexar sports an integrated, extendable lens hood.

• While the Hexar lenses look like Konica lenses, established consensus is that Konica outsourced the design and manufacture of the Hexars to Tamron.
• The 135 mm f/3.5 Hexar was replaced by the final version of the 135 mm f/3.5 Hexanon [data sheet]
• The most striking characteristic of the 135 mm Hexar is that it’s a big lens. At a diameter of almost 70 mm its focus ring looks bulky, and at ≈550 grams it is a heavy lens for these specifications. The image below compares the 135 mm Hexar to both the lens it was intended to undercut, as well as the lens that replaced it.

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.´

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. ↩︎
6. Numbers equal aperture values on aperture ring; • intermediate click; – no intermediate click.  ↩︎