What to do with my Hexar AF?

If you're not using it, sell it. Take the emotion out of it's and just keep reminding yourself that you don't get along with it.

If down the line you want another, you'll be able to buy another.

I go through the same agony as you when I decide to sell gear and i've yet to re-buy a camera that I've sold, no matter how much angst I had at the time.
 
Patrick,

Stop thinking about what it does not have or what you do not like about. Just stick it in Program mode. Load a roll of Illford Pan F or Neopan 100. Shoot then check the results. I did that and kept my SECOND Konica Hexar AF. The results were great. After I stopped worrying about the AF and the silent mode and all the bells and whistles. Just compose and fire away. This camera is all about the LENS!

Maiku
 
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Don't sell it. Period. It will only cost more later when you're sellers regret overcomes you and you decide to buy another one.
 
The Hexar AF is a camera for photographers... Seriously, not all cameras are that exigent about the photographer knowing how to use it... It's not a point-and-shoot: it has a maximum shutter speed of 1/250 (for having a shutter that's more silent than Leica shutters) so it gives something like 3 or 4 safe shutter speeds only... That's what makes lots of hobbyists get bored: being an automatic camera, you can't use it that relaxed way... You can't use fast film on it and be able to shoot in all kinds of light, stopped down AND wide open, so you can't do what you feel like doing in some moments... You could, but you need to be a photographer: someone who knows about light and film, and about ND filters, AND feel using the camera that way IS relaxing, instead of thinking it's complicated or limiting... That's what I like about it: it's not for everybody, and those of us enjoying it, will have Hexar AFs offered in the market for a nice price for many more years... Only a good photographer used to walk knowing all the time the surrounding light and being ready to shoot with a manual camera, can get the most out of a Hexar AF.

Yet (on P mode, no settings at all!) it can be used for all kinds of light from direct sun to low light with 400 film, and you'll have from 1/250 f/16 to 1/30 f/2, and if you shoot at 1600, with an ND8 for sun, you "extend" your slow shutter speeds for low light indoors. That's close to 14 stops of use on the same film! 1/30 f/2 at 1600 is close to night photography!

I really think they're right when they say it's not about the camera but about the photographer... ;)

Cheers,

Juan
 
Thanks so much for all of the insight. I realize that this is a decision that I really need to make on my own and I think I have.

Good points all around. I picked it up again tonight and it just doesn't jive with me. No offense to it of course, it's a fantastic camera. But I believe that I will sell it. Like some of you said, I can always buy another one, albeit at a higher cost.
 
It is about the challenge for me when it comes to photography...it would be great to be able to tinker with all of these cool cameras and learn how they draw and all of that jazz...but there is not always the time or resources to do this so you must do what you must do... :)

With that being said I would like to have one with a Contax G series lens hood... ;)
 
I loved my Hexar AF from the very first roll I shot with it. It's meant to be used opened up and preferably from close range. Slow film and/or ND filters are good for it.
 
Mablo said:
I loved my Hexar AF from the very first roll I shot with it. It's meant to be used opened up and preferably from close range. Slow film and/or ND filters are good for it.
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Sure! I haven't got one single out of focus image yet in more than 1000 shots (30 rolls: I've used it for a few months only)...

With more options than any other camera ever designed, and a superb and fast lens with the most accurate autofocus on earth, well, I really can't imagine, as a photographer, other photographers not seeing its value as a tool that can do things no other camera can...

But I guess people are different... Maybe for some people the end is not the images but having fun or being relaxed no matter if the images can't be obtained... OK, I love having fun, but one thing is shooting trees and a very different one is capturing vanishing moments... I won't ask any more reasons, but I'm really surprised... It's interesting, though... It makes me try to imagine the ways other people think and photograph...

Cheers,

Juan
 
I keep mine for those times I know I want a fast camera with a great lens that I can use with one hand. Yes, a point (recompose) and shoot it is, and a great one.
If I was sure that such occasions are not to happen from time to time, I would sell mine.
Also, I tend not to hold on gear that I don't really use and tend to develop flaws. The hexar has this shutter release problem developing with time, and you don't want it to happen on your shift. For the same reason, don't be so sure that if you regret selling yours it will be easy to find one in good shape. I also had one that had a problem with frames alignment...
 
same here

same here

Have only put a couple of rolls in the last one over a couple of years (2 just before end of 2010 - K25/K64), but check the battery every month or two.


filmfan said:
I have bought and sold 4. Haha
I love the results it makes but it's not exactly the best tactile experience.
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Paddy C said:
I felt the same way about my Contax G2 kit. And that was after using if for two years. Sold it to fund a ZI kit and haven't regretted it for one day.
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Same here. The automaic modes on the G2 just didn't make the camera engaging. I guess the hexar may be similar. My G2 went and my M6 was purchased instead.
 
FrankS said:
It is the ultimate P+S as far as results go. (Could be smaller.)
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+1 for a small hexar af

I own one, I had some fun shooting with it but as in the OP case I prefer my M6 and CLE. However I realize that the AF and super silent mode are very useful in certain situations, that's why I decided to keep mine. You never know what kind of shooting style you're going to need in the future.

EDIT: also the ability to focus as close as 60cm is a big plus for me!
 
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To be blunt, you bought the wrong camera without, it seems, having performed reasonable due dilligence before the purchase. To blame a camera for being what it is (and what it was always marketed as being) seems unduly harsh to me.

For instance, to state (or to expect flack for stating) that it "feels too much like a big point and shoot ... albeit a great one" is exactly the point; it IS essentially a high-end "point and shoot" and was always marketed as such; the manual functionality is vestigial at best.

To state that a camera designed largely for (and at its best using) automatic shooting (including AF) is not as "engaging" as a manual, semi-auto or manual focus camera is just stating the obvious ... it is AUTOMATIC - it is not MEANT to "engage" you - if it engages you it is not doing its job, just as an auto car is invariably less "engaging" than the equivalent manual car ... precisely because it does not require (and hence respond to) your input when it comes to changing gears.

I would also dispute that these cameras are "rare". Sell this one and if that causes you pangs of regret, buy another. Simple.
 
DamenS said:
To be blunt, you bought the wrong camera without, it seems, having performed reasonable due dilligence before the purchase. To blame a camera for being what it is (and what it was always marketed as being) seems unduly harsh to me.

For instance, to state (or to expect flack for stating) that it "feels too much like a big point and shoot ... albeit a great one" is exactly the point; it IS essentially a high-end "point and shoot" and was always marketed as such; the manual functionality is vestigial at best.

To state that a camera designed largely for (and at its best using) automatic shooting (including AF) is not as "engaging" as a manual, semi-auto or manual focus camera is just stating the obvious ... it is AUTOMATIC - it is not MEANT to "engage" you - if it engages you it is not doing its job, just as an auto car is invariably less "engaging" than the equivalent manual car ... precisely because it does not require (and hence respond to) your input when it comes to changing gears.

I would also dispute that these cameras are "rare". Sell this one and if that causes you pangs of regret, buy another. Simple.
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I think that you are being unduly harsh with the OP. Check out this quote from him in his last post: "I picked it up again tonight and it just doesn't jive with me. No offense to it of course, it's a fantastic camera."

Cameras are a personal, subjective thing. Individual photographers sometime don't "get along with" even great cameras. One does not find this out until we use it. Other great cameras that many don't get along with include the Rollei 35 and Hasselblad 500 series.
 
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I sold mine for a Contax G, the reason was the same, I wanted more easily accessible controls. With the contax g it's far easier for me to shoot hyperfocally (I hated the fact that on the Hexar I had to hold a button down for 2seconds to change the MF distance, each time). On the other hand I lose P mode and only get AE... and f22 on the 35mm, and T mode etc. :D

It's just a tool at the end of the day but I do miss it a little, I'm a big fan of the P&S style shooting (though the Hexar is far far more advanced than a P&S, it's in a camera class of its own). For what the camera costs its a gem, it wouldn't complain if I sold the G and bought back the Hexar for less than half the price, I just can't be bothered.
 
Thanks for the insight guys. Just put it up for sale...hope I don't regret it! ;)

Damen...I tried to make it clear that me not enjoying the camera was not a fault of the camera, but of myself.
 
I have a black here waiting for you if you change your mind :) I'm kind of dealing with cameras so I don't care. Never get married with the stuff...cameras should be fun, fun to own and fun to shoot with. That's why a small scale focus camera like the Oly Trip, or a Leica M2-M3 are so great. BTW: try a Yashica Electro 35 CC. Rangefinder but f1.8/35mm lens that equals the Hexar's. Has 1/250 as fastest shutter speed too, so you won't miss that either ;)
 
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