Hexar AF - EEE Error on Autofocus - UV Filter?

[Mr_Toad]

Hi, P&S Folks,

I recently purchased a great, used Konica Hexar AF from ampguy...and I am trying to learn how to push the buttons.

Sometimes, I get an "EEE" error on the display, and I googled that it is because I have a UV protection filter over the lens. May I ask...


1. Is the EEE error caused by the lens autofocus movement being obstructed by the UV filter in front?

2. Is it true there is a "filter shim" available to resolve this problem? (I guess by extending the UV filter forward?) If so, where can I get one? I'm googling...

3. Are there other ways around this problem? I ordered a 46mm to 49mm step up ring, thinking this might work to use a 49mm UV filter.


Thoughts are appreciated,

🙂

Robt.

 

[filmfan]

You are correct. Some filters work, others don't.
When I used the Hexar AF, the filter that worked for me was a Hoya thin filter. I forget the actual model, but it's their thin line of filters and it caused no problems with focusing.

 

[md2008]

I've used the B+W F-Pro 010 UV filter on two different Hexars (Silver and Rhodium) without a problem at all focus distances.

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thank you!

I will try one of those..

I searched on EEE, but didn't find it in RFF, so I posted this so there would be an easy thread to find for Hexar noobs like myself.

robt.

 

[sanmich]

IIRC, later hexars ahd the problem solved (late blacks, silver, Ti, Rodhium and Plutonium).

I wouldn't conclude that a filter working on a late Hexar that never jams is ok.
It's most likely the camera that is sorted out.

My Hexar AF showed the problem with a B+W filter and it was a pain.
I have now a Hoya on it and it doesn't jam.

 

[ampguy]

you don't want to use a std filter on the HAF. I doubt a step-up ring would work either, unless the 46mm thread area was very short, and if it did work, wouldn't the dia. get in the way of the built-in hood?

If you absolutely do need/want a filter, google search returns many 46mm ones that do fit and work.

more info here: http://www.tedm.com/hexar/hexar_p.pdf

most complete info. is probably at the photo.net hexar af thread.

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thanks, Ted!

You're right....i hadn't thought that the step up would interfere with the hood.

I'd not seen that PDF before, so I appreciate the link. Also, there's a surprising amount of text on the web about these cameras.

My wanting a filter is just my fear of damaging the lens of any camera.

Thank you!

Robt.

 

[Mr_Toad]

.

Hi, All...

Just a follow-up. In my obsessive lil' way, I tried several UV filter brands....Tiffen, B+W, and Hoya.

Both filmfan and sanmich are correct. The HOYA Thin UV filter did not obstruct the autofocusing movement of the lens (so far)...so the lens is covered.

Always Use Protection!!

Robt.

 

[pvdhaar]

In what seems like a long time ago, in a universe far away, I had a black Hexar (with date-back). I had it sent to the then Konica importer in the Netherlands for the filter modification. It accepted every filter I tried after that. The funny thing was that there was nothing visible on the outside of the camera that suggested a change, while the minimum focus distance remained untouched too. To me this suggests they shimmed the lens outer barrel at the back where it mounts the body..

 

[muf]

In what seems like a long time ago, in a universe far away, I had a black Hexar (with date-back). I had it sent to the then Konica importer in the Netherlands for the filter modification. It accepted every filter I tried after that. The funny thing was that there was nothing visible on the outside of the camera that suggested a change, while the minimum focus distance remained untouched too. To me this suggests they shimmed the lens outer barrel at the back where it mounts the body..

Just break the glass out of one filter and screw that in between the lens and the good filter. That will provide room for the lens to move without bumping the back of the filter. A home made spacer. Easy.

 

[johannielscom]

Just break the glass out of one filter and screw that in between the lens and the good filter. That will provide room for the lens to move without bumping the back of the filter. A home made spacer. Easy.

Remember where you read that first!
🙂

Still a good tip, least complicated!

 

[Mr_Toad]

Hi, All,

If I may disagree....

With at least one of the filters I tried, it was the rear metal ring that was blocking the lens perimeter...not the glass. Of course, if it's possible to remove that ring, but I didn't try it.

Robt.