Konishiroku

Konishiroku (later renamed Konica) was the oldest photographic company in Japan, with roots dating back to the 19th century. While the modern "Konica" brand is famous for the 1990s Hexar RF revival, the Konishiroku era (spanning the 1940s and 1950s) represents the company's first golden age of rangefinder optics.

During the post-war period, Konishiroku was a powerhouse of LTM (Leica Thread Mount) production. Unlike Canon or Nikon, who focused heavily on their own branded camera systems, Konishiroku operated largely as a premium lens supplier for various Japanese Leica copies, including Chiyotax, Leotax, and Honor. Lenses from this era are engraved with "Konishiroku Hexanon" or "Hexar" and are prized today for their heavy brass construction and unique "pre-modern" optical signatures that bridge the gap between vintage German character and Japanese precision.

History

Konishiroku's lens manufacturing legacy is the longest in Japan, predating all other major competitors.

Foundations (1873 to 1921)

The company was founded in 1873 by Rokusaburo Sugiura in Tokyo, originally as a pharmacy called Konishi-ya. In 1878, Sugiura spun off the photographic division as Konishi Honten (Konishi Main Shop), which became the first store in Japan to sell cameras and photographic materials. The name "Konishiroku" was officially adopted in 1921 (as Konishiroku Honten), created by combining the family name "Konishi" with "Roku" (from Rokusaburo/Rokuemon, the founder's lineage).

The Post-War Boom (1947 to 1959)

Following World War II, Konishiroku leveraged its massive industrial base to produce high quality lenses for the burgeoning "Leica Copy" market. Their strategy was distinct: rather than just cloning the Leitz Elmar, they often utilized modified Tessar and Double Gauss formulas that offered higher contrast.

• The "Hexar" vs. "Hexanon" Distinction: In this era, the brand strictly separated its product lines. "Hexar" was typically reserved for triplet or Tessar type lenses (f/3.5 speeds), while "Hexanon" was the premium designation for complex, high speed Gauss type designs (f/1.9 and faster).

The OEM Connection

Many Konishiroku lenses were not sold individually but were the standard kit lenses for third party cameras. The Honor camera system, for instance, famously used the Hexanon 50mm f/1.9, creating a confusing historical web where Konishiroku glass appears under various guises in the used market. By 1960, the company rebranded its cameras to "Konica" (KO-nishiroku NI-ppon CA-mera) and shifted focus to the SLR market, ending this specific chapter of LTM production.

Product Lines (LTM Compatible)

Konishiroku lenses are native LTM (M39) and can be adapted to any Leica M camera.

The Standard Primes (50mm)

• Hexanon 50mm f/1.9: The flagship lens of the 1950s.
  • Design: A 6-element Double Gauss design that is often compared to the Voigtländer Ultron.
  • Character: It is famous for its rich, "thick" rendering and smooth bokeh, differing significantly from the sharper but harsher Nikon optics of the same period. It is considered one of the most underrated vintage 50s.
• Hexar 50mm f/3.5: A collapsible lens clearly modeled after the Leitz Elmar 50mm f/3.5.
  • Build: Unlike the aluminum Elmars of the 50s, the Hexar often features a heavy brass and chrome finish. It is a Tessar design known for central sharpness and vintage fall off in the corners.
• Hexanon 60mm f/1.2: The "Holy Grail."
  • Rarity: Produced in 1954 in extremely limited numbers, this lens is one of the rarest Japanese lenses ever made. It was created to demonstrate Konishiroku's ability to surpass Zeiss and Leica in speed.
  • Legacy: This specific lens was the inspiration for the limited edition Konica 60mm f/1.2 released in 1999. Originals command astronomical prices at auction.

The "Honor" Connection

• Honor Hexanon 50mm f/1.9: Identical optically to the standard Konishiroku version but branded for the Honor camera body. These are often found with unique cosmetic knurling rings.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	Leica Thread Mount (LTM / M39)
Focus Type	Manual Focus (Rangefinder Coupled)
Markings	Engraved "Konishiroku Hexar" or "Konishiroku Hexanon"
Aperture Blades	Typically 10 to 12 blades (circular apertures were standard)
Filter Thread	40.5mm (Hexanon 50mm f/1.9), 19mm (Hexar 50mm f/3.5)
Build Materials	Solid Brass with heavy Chrome plating
Coatings	Single Coated (Magenta/Amber tint)

Why Photographers Choose Konishiroku

• The "Ultron" Look on a Budget: The 50mm f/1.9 is often cited as a cheaper alternative to the original Voigtländer Prominent Ultron, offering that classic creamy separation without the need for complex adapters.
• Build Density: Collectors love the tactile experience of Konishiroku lenses. They are famously heavy for their size, feeling like "solid blocks of glass and steel," often surpassing the build feel of contemporary Canon Serenar lenses.
• Historical Curiosity: Using a Konishiroku lens represents the "pre-history" of the modern Konica brand, connecting the lineage from these heavy brass screw mount lenses to the advanced titanium M-Hexanons of the 1990s.

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Sources

• Konica Minolta Global History: https://www.konicaminolta.com/global-en/corporate/history.html
• Konica Files (Historical Overview): http://www.konicafiles.com
• Dante Stella (Hexar RF & Ancestors): https://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexarrf.html
• Camera Quest (Honor Camera & Lenses): https://cameraquest.com/honor.htm
• David De (50mm f/1.9 Review): https://davidde.com/2021/08/22/review-the-konica-50mm-f-1-9-hexanon-1955/