Konica Hexar AF flash

[Allen Gilman]

What flash would you recommend to use w/ the Hexar? I've got the flash which comes with it but I need some more POWER. Optimally, I'd like to keep it small, light, and lean. I've got a Nikon SC-17 cord (to use the flash off camera) so I'm leaning towards Nikon but...any suggestions out there? Help a comrade out here - don't have much experience using dedicated flash units.

 

[Ralf]

Don't forget that the Hexar uses a "flashmatic" flash system in which the guide number is entered into the on board computer (GN 14 for the flash that comes with it). This allow you to use a bigger flash, but you have to tell the camera what the power of the flash is. This very useful if you want to over expose or under expose the flash, for whatever reason, simply by altering the guidenumber in the camera. E.g if you set the camera to GN to 14, and then mount a GN 20 flash (in manual mode), the flash exposure will be one stop over exposed.

So I think you can pretty much mount whichever flash you like, or are comfortable with.

 

[Allen Gilman]

Got it. Yeah, I read about that somewhere. I'm going to be using it in dark places so I just want the flash to illuminate the subject and the rest to go dark so I don't know that "flashmatic" really does anything for me in that situation - I don't need to balance ambient w/ flash. Thanks for the info tho.

 

[FrankS]

Hi Allen,
Can't help you with the alternate flash unit question except to suggest you simply use a faster film type. Same result (except bigger grain).

 

[Allen Gilman]

Thanks anyway Frank. That's always another option. How's the new M treatin ya?

 

[Nick R.]

I'd recommend the NIkon SB-15. It can do bounce, straight on, or anything in between all while remaining in the horizontal position. They're selling pretty cheap now on 'bay, ~$25. Here's a link Nikon SB-15/17 . Note that the picture shown is of the SB-17; scroll down a little to see the 15.

 

[Allen Gilman]

Nick - thanks for the link!

 

[thmk]

The Nikon SB-20 would also be an option. And changing the GN on an updated black Hexar is no problem at all. I do not know if the other Hexars have this feature, too.

 

[pvdhaar]

If you need more power than the HX14 provides, there's the HX18 to consider if you need one stop more. It's the flash that comes with the HexarRF. Two auto positions (f2.8 and f5.6) instead of the single one (f4) of the HX14, and a P-full as well. Should be possible to get a second hand one over the net at a fair price.

If you really need to toast your subjects, then Nikon compatible flashes will do. The pinout of the flash-ready signal corresponds to that of the Hexar.

In any case, in P-Mode of the Hexar with flashes other than the HX14, you'll need to be able to tell the Hexar what the GN of the flash is. That's because the Hexar does the Aperture=GN/distance calculation for you (flashmatic) if the flash is strobed at full power. Of course, you can/should dial in different values if you either strobe the flash at half or quarter power or if you want to over/underexpose.

If you have a Silver Hexar, setting the GN is possible by default. If you've got a black one, check out the Hexar article on photo.net, where the reprogramming procedure is explained.

The nice point about flashmatic is that it's not confused by subject reflectivity, and also not by whether or not there's ambient light. It works both for fill as well as for a flash only exposure.

 

[Marcus B]

Just use any big flash you can get cheaply, can be nikon compatible, if you want the pinout to be compatible. The point is, you can use any old, powerfull flash (Metz 45CT series etc.), I use a Braun 340 (metric GN34).
Due to the Flashmatic mode (just update any Hexar using the well-known description you can use any flash and as Peter already wrote, you have almost perfect exposure anytime.

MB

PS: for the update look on photo.net or check the post by felipe in this RFF thread . It enables all advanced functions of the Hexar, like silent mode, auto bracketing, IR-focusing, GN selection for Flashmatic, multi-exposure.

 

[Allen Gilman]

Yeah, thanks for the info guys. My Hexar's already been updated and I've read the PNet link too. Appreciate all the advice and info I've gotten here.

 

[wblanchard]

Hmmm...wondering if i could mount and use my Vivitar 283 on my black hexar af? it seems to fit perfect on the camera, but i'm afraid to power it up and fry my hexar.