Digital replacement for hexar?

[hexar_hp5]

Hello All,

Just a quick question, is there a digital camera that is a reasonable replacement for a hexar AF?

The hexar AF pretty much suits my needs perfectly, apart from the fact that I need digital versions of all my photographs.

I've got tired of the whole scanning scenario and the scans that I've got from vendors are either incredibly expensive or suffer from scratches, fingerprints.

I'd prefer a viewfinder, but can live without it. Shutter lag and focus lag is something that I need to be quick.

Sorry if this is an oft asked question, but I don't really keep up with the digital scene much.

Thanks.

HH

 

[dazedgonebye]

Panasonic G1 with the promised 20mm f1.7 might fit the bill.
Samsung's version of the same concept might do even better...or not...we haven't seen much about it yet.

 

[Ghiom]

A Ricoh GR-D 1 or 2!
It has a 28mm / 2.4 fixed lens, is images looks quite similar to film especially in B/W, and compared to many others, its price remains reasonable... (GR-D 1 is often <300$) You can get extras like an external viewfinder (28mm or 21/28mm), an adaptator for filters, as well as a 21mm or a 40mm lens adaptator...

Got mine 1 week ago (1st version) second hand "like new" to learn a bit about digital post processing, etc... I shoot every day since, using the 28 viewfinder and the filter adaptator for a better handling... (always in my pocket)

of course it remains a small camera, and some do prefer Canon G9 or 10...

here is a sample taken 2 days ago...

PS: I did own an Hexar AF up to 3 months ago... although I am more familiar with 35mm compared to 28mm, this GRD-1 is fitting the bill to me!

 

[Ghiom]

Here is another shot, taken yesterday with Ricoh GR-D1... processed today with Light-Room... just to say it can be fun!

 

[Wouter]

The GRD, IMHO, is not an equivalent substitute for the hexar af. The hexar was meant to be a gentlemen's (and -women's) camera. It is large, ergonomically almost perfect, has a superb 35mm f2 lens and is superbly built. I would certainly welcome a digital hexar, but it would have to come with a large sensor and good iso 1600 performance.

 

[ddimaria]

Sorry, what exactly is a "gentleman's" camera?

 

[monochromejrnl]

Hello All,

Just a quick question, is there a digital camera that is a reasonable replacement for a hexar AF?

The hexar AF pretty much suits my needs perfectly, apart from the fact that I need digital versions of all my photographs.

I've got tired of the whole scanning scenario and the scans that I've got from vendors are either incredibly expensive or suffer from scratches, fingerprints.

I'd prefer a viewfinder, but can live without it. Shutter lag and focus lag is something that I need to be quick.

Sorry if this is an oft asked question, but I don't really keep up with the digital scene much.

Thanks.

HH

it may help if you describe how you used your HAF (assuming you plan to use a digital replacement the same way)...

I use my GRD (I love it so much I got a used backup recently) as a carry with me everywhere dP&S ... the GRD/II can do pretty much everything the HAF can do except:

1. focus as well in the dark, the HAF's IR af system is second to none;

2. provide selective DOF for isolation of subjects;

3. HAF has a proper optical VF (easily mitigated because you can use an excellent VC hotshot VF) and the total package is still considerably more compact than an HAF;

4. offer a 35mm FOV ; and

5. flash compatibility is better on the HAF.

Differences in lens speed are negligible in practical use, (f2 vs f2.4) since the GRD's wider FOV and size make it just as 'handholdable' as the HAF.

Both are excellent 'street' or 'candid' photography cameras since you can set either camera at a selected hyperfocal distance.

Differences in shutter response are probably imperceptible in AF mode for practical purposes and negligible when set at hyperfocal distance.

 

[ampguy]

I thought the GRD has a fixed 28mm lens and tiny sensor? The HAF has a great 35mm F2 lens, and is full frame. Flash is great on the HAF. The HAF has narrower DOF as it is FF, longer lens, and faster lens.

I think there is no digital equivalent to the HAF. Not that I have seen.

 

[monochromejrnl]

I thought the GRD has a fixed 28mm lens and tiny sensor? The HAF has a great 35mm F2 lens, and is full frame. Flash is great on the HAF. The HAF has narrower DOF as it is FF, longer lens, and faster lens.

I think there is no digital equivalent to the HAF. Not that I have seen.

a digital equivalent does not exist in terms of similar or the same specifications but cameras are tools and if he can produce similar results with GRD as he did with the HAF it is then an adequate digital replacement (not equivalent - he didn't ask for equivalent) for the HAF.

hence the first question in my post... what will be a digital replacement will in large part come down to how he used his HAF and if he intends to use a dP&S in the same way

 

[Ghiom]

1 more picture ... for the Hexar AF Ayatollahs...

😉

 

[Paul T.]

For me, the digital equivalent is to use the AF and get the photos processed and scanned.

If anything else came close, I would buy it. Hell, if there were a digital Olympus Mju/Stylus I would buy it.

 

[kywong]

Well GRD and LX-3 would fit the bill, but as many have pointed out, with their smaller sensors, at the expense of image quality. But obviously they would be much more compact than the limited alternatives out there with a sensor closer to APS size.

Between those two, well... compacts have always been a bit fiddly to me, it's difficult to have complete control, so LX-3's iA mode would just tip it for me. Plus despite it's zoom lens, it's fast throughout it's limited range (f/2-2.4).

If a small sensor won't do... the DP1 focuses waay too slowly, I'm not sure to what extent has the DP2 rectified that, in all honesty I doubt it'd be quick, just less slow.

The G1 is also an option, but you'd have to wait for a compact lens to go with it.

Sticking with Micro 4/3s, Olympus is working on something more compact than the G1, but obviously, you'd have to wait.

I'm also aware of Samsung's NX, it might be better than what Olympus would eventually come up with, but you'd have to wait for that too.

I'd go with either the LX3 or wait for Samsung's NX/Olympus's Micro 4/3s camera.

 

[jaap]

There is absolutely no digital replacement for a K Hexar AF. This is only be the case if they are able to put a full frame sensor in a camera like the Hexar. Even a M8 is no replacement for a hexar

 

[Eric T]

I recently picked up a Panasonic DMC-L1K at the local Ritz that was closing. The camera with the Leica Vario 14-50mm lens was $799. It is a bit big but I like the simple manual control of exposure with AF. I was afraid that I would be put off by the low resolution (7.4 MP) but this is not a problem for most of the pictures I take (for work or for fun). The viewfinder is not as bright as I would like but is much brighter than that found in a Leica IIIf.
This camera has taught me not to get caught up in the megapixel wars. Up to 10 MP is fine for me.

 

[dazedgonebye]

There is absolutely no digital replacement for a K Hexar AF. This is only be the case if they are able to put a full frame sensor in a camera like the Hexar. Even a M8 is no replacement for a hexar

I think this is a matter for the individual user. Although, I would not use the word "replacement" without meeting your requirements, I think a functional equivalent might be had short of a full frame sensor.
A 25mm f1.x on the Samsung concept might be functionally equivalent...able to replicate the dof of the 35mm f2 on the hexar and might perform well in low light. My personal standard would require very low noise performance at 1250-1600 iso.
Every digital equivalent of a Hexar AF will fall short in one way or another, and likely in several ways, not the least of which is it won't be as beautiful.

 

[historicist]

Having owned the Hexar AF, all the GR series film cameras and the GR-D, I can safely say that the GRD is not even vaguely the equal of film on the Hexar AF of GR series cameras. The look is completely different and the quality much poorer.

There isn't even really an equivalent of the Hexar AF in film, so I guess it's no surprise that a digital alternative isn't there yet.

Maybe the micro 4/3rds type cameras will get close soon, but I doubt a camera with exactly the same combination of virtues will be made again, much as I hope it would.

 

[hexar_hp5]

Hello all,

Thanks for the detailed and constructive responses.

For me the HexarAF is a machine that I can pick up and pretty much use as a complete people photographing machine. I can either load it with Reala or NPH and put my Vivitar 2800 on it and get some great flash photo's for the family, or I can load it up with HP5 and enjoy seeing how things look on it.

Though I enjoy taking the odd scenic shot, for me it's all about photo's of friends and family.

Flash photography is important in the sense that sometimes I need to take photo's in colour in low light. One thing I must note is that it seems that I don't need to push much above the odd 8*10.

It does look like I'll be shooting with the hexars for a while yet. Please keep your comments coming.

Thanks,

HH

 

[Dante_Stella]

Sigma DP2 may be your ticket. 35mm lens but one stop slower at f/2.8

Hey! "Slow as hell" is not part of the Hexar vocabulary...

🙂

 

[Bobfrance]

An Olympus E-420 with the Zuiko 25mm pancake could be said to be similar to the AF. It has a viewfinder and probably isn't any bigger. Where it differs is in the it's 50mm focal length and the fact that it definately has no silent mode.

As others have mentioned. I wouldn't call a GRD similar to the AF. Lack of a viewfinder means it's not even that similar to a GR1. 😉

 

[Kevin]

No, the E410/E420 cameras hunt for focus in low light and the 25mm pancake has severe barrel distortion. More important, however, is the sensor in the E410 and probably the E420. It pretty much sucks and has become my least used camera.