Hexar AF or Minolta TC-1

johnny9fingers

johnny9fingers

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I'm looking for a camera to have with me all the time. The first choice was to get the Hexar, this is a camera I used to have and now regret selling. There has been a lot of good things said about the TC-1, and being smaller might find it's way in my pocket daily. I know the Hexar will be quite a bit bigger than the TC-1, so am interested in learning about comparisons in speed, ease of use and quality of the pictures they produce. Any folks out there with experience with these cameras that could share pros & cons between them. I would use the camera as an everyday shooter taking snapshots, landscapes, and street in a wide variety of lighting. Primary film would probably be Fuji Neopan 100 Acros & 400.
Regards,
John
 
The Minolta Tc1 is a 28 mm and the Hexar is a 35 ...... I have no experience with either camera , but have read great reviews about each ... especially the Hexar .
Here is a great write up on the Hexar written by Dante Stella.

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexar.html

Another option to be considered is the Ricoh GR 1 , GR1 s or the GR 1 v....
http://tinyurl.com/lg8u9n

I have and use this camera daily .... really enjoy using it and its small enough that I actually take it with me everyday .......
Ricoh Japan stills services these cameras ..I sent 2 cameras to them to Ricoh for a CLA and they came back like new ; ) and not to pricey either . Not sure about the Konica or Minolta ...

You already owned the Hexar and you know you really want to try the Minolta TC-1 ; )

Hope you find what you are looking for ....
 
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I had a Hexar, never owned the Minolta. Loved the Hexar dearly, enough to buy another after I sold the first, but it's definitely not a pocket camera as you know. For years my pocket cameras were Contax T's so I would recommend searching out a good T3. Sharp 35mm lens and about the size of a cigarette pack. Repairs on the T are getting a bit dodgy, otherwise I'd still be a missionary for them and the T3 is autofocus.

Gerry
 
It's hard to read Dante's review on the Hexar without wanting to rush off and get one!
 
I've come to the conclusion the Hexar AF is the camera for me, and have a trade offer in the RFF classifieds in hopes of finding someone willing to part with one....
 
Great timing: I just bought Raid's. :)
I sold my first one to Memphis and have regretted it.
 
johnny, good to hear that. My question (ok besides the price) with cameras like TC-1 is that do I want a 28mm to be my carry-it-everywhere shooter? Among the Contax G28, 35, 45, 90 I own, I use G35 the most, regardless the superior MTF result of G28/G45.

Of all cameras at this focal length, Hexar is second to none.
 
All this Hexar talk is making me want to get my Silver version out again. The lens is superb and the AF fast. This was the camera I would choose when travelliing but really I've barely used it much. Been consdiering putting some Ektar 100 through it. Recently I haven't even been shooting much film, having got an RD1 about four months ago. Sometimes too many cameras can be a curse:)
 
KEH has one with my name on it... won't be long now. Just need some more B&W film. Last roll is in my freezer.
 
There is a Hexer on it's way to me yipee!! Still would like a smaller pocketable camera. I have a line on a Contax T2. Is it comperable to the TC-1????
 
It would be a trade so no cash involved, just heard good things about the T2 and thought it might make a nice pairing with the Hexar.
 
Judging what I have read, seeing the Zeiss lens and some photos shot with this camera, the T2 does look sweet. You may be onto something there. It's just that it seems a lot to pay for - I guess because of the lens? And the 2.8 lens, slower by a stop than the Hexar? If it were cheaper, I might want one myself. This, like the Epson R-D1 are in a category of "nice, but over-priced." IMHO, of course. If you can get one in a trade, great! (depending on what you need to give away)
 
Get one of these:

712636490_905aabb993.jpg


cheap as dirt and the results are just as ... Zeiss-y :)
 
I have both. The tc-1 is louder, the finder dimmer and less eye relief, but it has fast focus And an excellent lens. It's much smaller. I take the tc-1 everywhere.
 
Had the Hex AF for five years, loved it madly.

Gave it up (a bit reluctantly) for my first Hex RF body. Replaced by Ricoh GR-1.

When I dropped, and broke, the GR-1, I tried several sub-par substitutes. Thought about another Hex AF, but the Ricoh got me hooked on smaller-size stuff. (BTW: still have the Ricoh, and will get it fixed...eventually.)

In May of this year, I got this (thanks yet again, Frank!):

contax03.jpg

Contax Tvs

I'm loving it just as much as I did my Hex AF, even though it's a different beastie with different strengths and weaknesses. It's with me most every day. Currently has a roll of HP5 in it (yes, I'm starting up the "real" b/w film thing again:)). And, yes, having a zoom sometimes has its perks.


- Barrett
 
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Thats my thinking to, a small carry everywhere camera is better than the wunder camera you leave home, and really, the Hexar isn't THAT big. Plus, I am very interested to see what that sonnar lens can do. I've been watching posts by several folks, and their cameras seem to come and go (over time of course), but most cling tightly to the little T series cameras...
John
 
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