Hexar AF Journal

[md2008]

I've just acquired about 100 rolls of rebranded Fuji Superia 200 which expired about 3 years ago for free. AND I've also just reacquired a Hexar AF which I will not sell again.

So, I'm going to use all those rolls in the Hexar - a kind of "one camera, one film" type of project. It might be fun to see how the pictures evolve (or stay the same) over the course of this project. I'm going to post here to keep track.... My output from May so far.



Sakura blooms in High Park

Looked like a futuristic lounge

You can see the distortion of the Hexar lens in this one

I was drawn to the light falling on the windows

He's been popping up around town lately

Yes, all that white stuff on the ground is...

Light falling on the trees in Chinatown

The side of the historical Maple Leaf Gardens, now being "upgraded" to a giant grocery store

Crossing

Construction site. The white piping seemed a lot more luminous than shown in the photo

Again, pretty significant barrel distortion from the Hexar lens

Extension cord

Bicycle in Kensington Market

Shadows of trees

Cardboard

 

[Richard G]

Beautiful. The B&W comes out very nicely.

 

[md2008]

Although I'm primarily using the expired color film I've mentioned, a lot of which I've been converting to B&W, I've decided I'll also be using Tri-x/HC110 since it's the primary reason I wanted the Hexar back.

 

[Moriturii]

You mentioned that the Hexar AF has eliminated your GAS and it has so with me as well to be honest.

I got a M2 and M3 with 50mm lenses respectively and a Hexar. The Leicas for outdoors (one for sunny, the other for shadowy scenes) and the Hexar for indoor stuff (or general 35mm viewfinder situations) and I can't think of anything else I'd ever need to be honest.

I did used to want a Contax G2 but now not really. I used to think of getting an Olympus OM4 but not really anymore.

Only thing to do now is to take pictures. We got the perfect combo! 🙂

 

[Robin Harrison]

Really nice shots. All-time great camera. About two years after I sold mine I bought it back again! Still one of the most obvious bargains of the secondhand market right now.

 

[md2008]

I also just ordered a Domke F803 to carry the Hexar with an iPad. I had looked at the Retrospective 5 but it didn't properly fit the iPad and I didn't really like the pinestone. Should be a good combo to explore new neighborhoods. Nothing better than relaxing in cafe after a few hours shooting and hanging out.

You mentioned that the Hexar AF has eliminated your GAS and it has so with me as well to be honest.

I got a M2 and M3 with 50mm lenses respectively and a Hexar. The Leicas for outdoors (one for sunny, the other for shadowy scenes) and the Hexar for indoor stuff (or general 35mm viewfinder situations) and I can't think of anything else I'd ever need to be honest.

I did used to want a Contax G2 but now not really. I used to think of getting an Olympus OM4 but not really anymore.

Only thing to do now is to take pictures. We got the perfect combo! 🙂

 

[Dr Gaspar]

I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Nice pictures, and what a great camera... I will never sell my Hexar AF (again).

 

[md2008]

Delivery van

 

[md2008]

So, one definite negative with the AF - can't focus past windows. On my walkabout today, I saw a few shots of interiors through windows that I was interested in taking, but the Hexar's AF system locks on to the window. I wasn't able to stop down because it was too dark, and I wasn't too sure about estimating distance especially with the shallow DOF wide open. We'll see if any turn out.

 

[md2008]

Dried flowers

 

[Moriturii]

Keep posting!

 

[apodeictic]

As another Torontonian (albiet a new one), I say keep it up! I'm in love with Tri-x and HC110 right now too. 🙂

 

[BTMarcais]

Some of my favorite shots w/ the hexar (that I don't have anymore 🙁 ) were actually taken in Toronto when I lived across the lake in Rochester... I'll have to see if I can dig them up. These would be about 12, 13 years back or so.

-Brian

 

[jack_to]

Good stuff!

 

[md2008]

Had a walk out in drizzle/high humidity with the camera out - through Chinatown, Little Portugal, and the Polish neighborhood. It was that annoying drizzle that an umbrella doesn't really help with but just mists your glasses and clothes, like sticking your face in the humidifier. On the plus side, it did give a glowing quality to the light all day. No problems with the camera in the moisture.

How do you guys like to carry the Hexar? I usually just carry it in the hand, strapless, with a shoulder bag for when I'm not shooting. Even with an accessible shoulder bag though, I find I don't take pictures unless I actually already have the camera out and ready - I'm that lazy.

Cafe

Chinese herbs

Chinese pastry shop

Sing Tao Daily

Closed

 

[bensyverson]

This is my new favorite thread on RFF. Keep up the great posts!

How do you guys like to carry the Hexar? I usually just carry it in the hand, strapless, with a shoulder bag for when I'm not shooting.

I put a strap from an Epic through one of the strap loops, and wrap that around my hand... It makes it a little bit more secure than just handholding it. I also carry a shoulder bag, but like you, I shoot much more if the camera's already in my hand.

 

[md2008]

Things I'm trying to remember when taking photos to minimize time looking through the camera:

1. Frame the shot before bringing the camera up to the eye - just confirm the framing with the camera and take the shot
2. Ask: What is the subject/theme of the photo? Focus attention on the subject/theme. Simplify and remove extraneous details that don't support the subject/theme.

Usually I just end up seeing a potential photo op, and before really clarifying what it is that drew my attention to want to take the photo, I take the shot. More often than not, it doesn't have a clear focus of attention, is poorly cropped/composed, and has lots of detracting elements. My "street" photos usually don't have people or fast moving subjects so it's not as though I don't have time to consider the above before taking the shot. I just forget.

I've also been finding that a lot of the photos I take are due to the mood or light and not really about the physical subject matter itself although it never hurts if the subject matter is itself interesting. So a lot of my photos may be boring if people don't find the subject interesting.

Just a ramble on a Sunday morning.

 

[md2008]

Oh yes, and as Filmfan predicted, this thread has indeed been moved to the Point and Shoot sub forum. As users of the Hexar AF though, I think we can all agree that using this camera is much closer in use and philosophy to using an M or other real rangefinder than it is to using a true point and shoot. But I guess technically, it really isn't a rangefinder.

 

[bensyverson]

I do it all the time, but using "point and shoot" to describe a camera doesn't seem quite right. "Point and shoot" is more of a mental mode. You could point and shoot with an M9, 5D, Mamiya 7, 4x5, etc.

The Hexar may technically be an autofocus viewfinder camera, but spiritually it belongs to the fixed lens RF tradition. As I slowly learn to trust the autofocus, it's erasing my desire for a Zeiss Ikon...

 

[md2008]

Seen underground in the subway

Chair