Konica Hexar AF - Erratic start up time - turn on

[giannidalmas]

Hi! A couple of days ago I've received a "perfect working condition" Hexar AF just to discover it has the well known shutter button issue. That's bothering me, but I know it's cleanable and I found a reasonable repairman who will do the job.

But, yesterday, I discovered the start up time (when I switch the camera on) to be extremely erratic, taking from 3 to 10 seconds before the camera is turned on after I move the main dial to "P"... sometimes it never turns on: I had to remove the battery and after a while the camera would turn on, again with erratic start up times.

I haven't shoot the first roll yet, cause I need to decide if I better return the camera or try to clean/repair it (the seller already resolved the case in my favor with a full refund, but I have to cover the return shipping costs from my country to the Chicago, about 110USD). I already have bought a ND9 filter (50USD) so I'll have to start searching for another Hexar AF, hoping for a better luck, or just try to repair this one.

Do you have any suggestions about the main dial issue on start up? Do you suggest me to return the camera anyway?

Thank you so much!
Regards,
gianni

 

[lonemantis]

The shutter button is fixable, but the erratic startup time suggests issues with one of the PCBs that cannot be fixed, and no replacements are available.

I'd suggest returning it for a full refund and keep looking. The Hexar is easily one of the best cameras ever made, but with no spare parts available they're all on borrowed time at this point. If you find a good one, use it as long as you can, but don't waste your time/money trying to revive one that doesn't.

 

[giannidalmas]

Thank you lonemantis!
I was hoping it was a "contacts issue" on the main switch as well as the AF button 🙁

Do you know if this issue has been reported by other users? I couldn't find any mention of it on the web, for this reason I was doubting if it was just a voltage problem from the battery.

Regards,
gianni

 

[lonemantis]

You might want to try a new battery, just to rule that out as an issue. Also check to see if there's any corrosion on the metal contacts in the battery chamber. If there is, it could cause sporadic power issues. A good repair shop can clean that properly.

Does the startup time vary depending on how you flip the power switch? For example, try switching it slowly and gently, then faster and firmer, and see if that affects the startup time. If it does, it could be a faulty power switch, which is fixable as long as it just needs a cleaning and not a whole new part.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's really always best to return cameras that arrive with issues. The Hexar AF is a wonderful tool when working properly.
There was one for sale here recently. Maybe it's still in the classified.

It's my favorite 35mm camera. Several times I have bought back ups to my old trusty as I worry he may one day give up.
Each time I have sold those back ups. Once you get a good one you are likely good to go for a good while.
That said, ... a copy that has issues and ghosts will likely be very challenging to repair if it's serious.
You know these date back to 1992? Even if it looks mint it could be quite old.
If I was in your position I would not mess around. Just return it and start fresh with another copy.

Best!

 

[giannidalmas]

Does the startup time vary depending on how you flip the power switch? For example, try switching it slowly and gently, then faster and firmer, and see if that affects the startup time. If it does, it could be a faulty power switch, which is fixable as long as it just needs a cleaning and not a whole new part.

Nope, I just notice it takes less time to power on after the first time I flip the power switch.
For example: the first time it could take 6 to 10 seconds to turn on, and if I switch it off and on again, the display will turn on faster (3-4 seconds).

But, if I repeat the switching on/off for 2 or 3 time, the camera starts again to take longer before it powers on: 10 or more seconds, sometimes it simply won't turn on, just to realize after a while (couple of minutes) that the camera is sitting on the shelf with the display powered on 😀

Those 110USD for the return shipping are really hurting me: I'd like to find a way to repair it without having to send it back :'(

 

[giannidalmas]

That said, ... a copy that has issues and ghosts will likely be very challenging to repair if it's serious.

Thanks f16sunshine, I have the same feelings, but it seems to be so difficult to find a good copy. If I consider the return shipping fare of more than 100USD (from my country) it's quite expensive to keep trying 🙁

 

[johannielscom]

Then why buy in the US, if you don't mind my asking?
Surely there must be cameras closer to where you live, on eBay or local vending sites?

Regarding the erratic switch-on time, could be dirty contacts or a weak battery. Or something worse.
But if you run two single drops of denatured alcohol under the switch and see the issue disappear after a few switch-ons and re-appearing later (when the alcohol dissolves), then that means there's some grease or dirt under the switch and it disrupts contact when switching it on. Simple test.

 

[giannidalmas]

Then why buy in the US, if you don't mind my asking?
Surely there must be cameras closer to where you live, on eBay or local vending sites?

I'm living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: it's not that far from the US, but the shipping service is untrusty and customer service is complicated, so I have the packages shipped to Miami, then a dominican shipping company forwards the items to Santo Domingo quite cheap (4USD/pound).
NOW, the other way around is only operated by DHL, TNT or FEDEX: the same package used to carry the Hexar (2 pounds = 8USD) it's costing 110USD to send it back! AND it's the same price to send the package to Chicago than to have it dropped down at the closest USPS office in Miami: that means I can't even use the free return label offered by eBay 🙁

But if you run two single drops of denatured alcohol under the switch and see the issue disappear after a few switch-ons and re-appearing later (when the alcohol dissolves), then that means there's some grease or dirt under the switch and it disrupts contact when switching it on. Simple test.

Thanks for the advise: I'll ask the seller if he allow me to have a try with the alcohol. If it'll solve the problem, both of us will be happy 😀

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

When things are switched on there's usually a surge of power that fades quickly and which will power up or overcome a high resistance somewhere; temperature also affects this. But the initial surge doesn't seem to be happening with your one so I'll go along with the others.

After using a few times or switching on and off, as you did, the battery will have faded and need time to recover.

I'm sorry to say it but this non-repairing because of parts is what I fear with all electronic devices as the parts become unavailable. I just hope that in the future someone will become so incensed that they start to make them again, like the Leica minilux problem solutions that are appearing here and there.

Regards, David

 

[lawrence]

I had one of these for many years but it also developed a strange problem, which was missing frames completely. You'd shoot a whole roll and there would usually be a blank frame somewhere (no, it was not a lens cap problem!). Pity, because as has been said, when they work they are wonderful cameras.

 

[giannidalmas]

Hi,

When things are switched on there's usually a surge of power that fades quickly and which will power up or overcome a high resistance somewhere; temperature also affects this. But the initial surge doesn't seem to be happening with your one so I'll go along with the others.

Thank you David and all the members who contributed to find out what was causing the start up issue: the switch seems to be perfectly clean and functional, so the capacitor located in the main circuit board is the usual suspect 😡

Yesterday I managed a substantial refund with the seller and I'll keep using the Hexar till it will be fully inoperable. Then, I'll pick up a Silver model, hoping for better luck. 🙂

 

[BlackXList]

I'm afraid I've been through exactly the same issue.
I got a full refund, what I sadly didn't get was more than a week with a hexar

Someday though

 

[benji77]

I had one of these for many years but it also developed a strange problem, which was missing frames completely. You'd shoot a whole roll and there would usually be a blank frame somewhere (no, it was not a lens cap problem!). Pity, because as has been said, when they work they are wonderful cameras.

Oh! I've had this issue on a few rolls, and I told myself "how silly can I be to shoot with the cap on after all this years!".

This is a stunning camera that made me love the focal length of 35mm. I hope you find one in good shape.

Or, you might never know it suddenly springs to life, like my Fujifilm Kasse W after being dead for 3 months.