Konica Hexar Classic AF

hexaf

hexaf

for those in the know, yes, a true cult classic. what a lens! beautiful bokeh, and in stealth mode, no vibration or noise (to speak of)- did i just take a picture???
hexar af, f2 @70mph
 
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If you scroll through this review to comments left in December 2003, you will find instructions on enabling the "stealth mode" on the silver model. I haven't had the opportunity to try this, but people say it works. Presumably the feature was simply disabled in the silver models after someone alleged it infringed their patent. http://www.photo.net/equipment/point-and-shoot/konica-hexar
 
tajart said:
for those in the know, yes, a true cult classic. what a lens! beautiful bokeh, and in stealth mode, no vibration or noise (to speak of)- did i just take a picture???
hexar af, f2 @70mph
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Smooth ride at 70mph.....must be a Benz.

Yeah, they are wonderful cameras. I was just thinking about mine; sold it and miss it now and then. Although a great available light camera, I always loved the sound that it makes when shooting with flash. And I used to get great results using flash fill with the Hexar. Aside from the kit flash I would use my Sunpak 1600 which is nice and compact but bounces too.
 
endustry said:
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2 words, JAW DROPPING!!!
 
...gas attack!!

Got one tonight. Original model.

This thread and the one on photo.net made me curious as hell. Got one on feebay just now and I took a risk. Hell, if the common problem/risk is a dodgy hard switch... well it so happens I've experience with having alps switches replaced on other stuff.
 
Great buy, you will love the camera. I am so taken by my Hexar Silver that I will buy another as soon as I sell off some other gear. Then I can keep one loaded with FP4+, and the other with Provia........
 
andersju said:
I did try a bit of cleaning, according to the instructions on silvergrain, and it did improve the situation but not much.
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I am also the proud owner of a Konica Hexar black (the one with factory-enabaled stealth mode) and I just love it. I probably shot more than half of my B&W rolls with it and, in 15 years, the only problem I had was the shutter-button-issue. It had to be replaced, cleaning was not enough.

Apart from that, is virtually indestructible (several falls from waist high to concrete) and it has, IMHO, the best 35mm lens I have had (and I had a Leica 35 Summcrion ASPH). I'll post a few pics with it, as soon as I'm back home, because images are much better than words. But, be it on B&W or color slide, image quality is stunning. And it's the best "light-gathering" lens I've owned. I've wonderful pics inside churches, only lit by candles, with a 100 ASA slide film. Global contrast is slightly lower than the 'cron ASPH but detail and microcontrast are just unbelieveble. That's perfect for high-contrast, low-light situations.

Moreover, I can esily shoot with it at 1/15th and lower with no shake, the shutter button is very soft and the shutter itself has no vibration. On stealth mode, is my quietest film camera. I think I make more noise advancing the M3 lever than the Hexar does on stealth mode! 🙂

I still use it regularly (I don't have the guts to sell it and it kills me seeing it standing on a shelf) and it's one of the reasons why I sold my 35 'cron asph (that, and several very good CV lenses on the same focal).

If you like Tri-X on the Leicas, just try it on the Hexar... I even tried Tri-X+Rodinal and it's a killer combination on the Hexar: incredibly sharp negs, without the "britleness" you can get with the same combo on the 'cron ASPH (too much overal contrast).

The Hexar AF lens should be perfect on a digital body, such as the Epson or the M8. I know there was a version of this lens on L mount (http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hex352.html) but it's almost impossible to find. I would buy one for my R-D1s.
 
This might sound kinda geeky, but this is the first camera I wear around my neck all the time. It's just so damn fun to shoot, it goes everywhere with me. But my employer did make me take it off and set it on a back table during a meeting yesterday. And wouldn't you know it, but I missed some great shots of a fellow nodding off, and another daydreaming out a window...rats...
 
Just found out about this camera and I am really tempted to save for one. I think they go for around £150 on Ebay here in the uk? I currently shoot a Bessa R2a and 35mm Ultron 1.7, but it would be nice to have something quieter and more automatic to have on my when I dont need the extra speed or manual input.
It really seems to be a very nice camera huh?
 
This is the finest camera I've owned. Started with an Oly XA and Yashica GN, then tried the big Fuji's medium format, some folders then Nikon SLR. The Hexar is far and away my personal favorite. Wonderful lens, fun to shoot with, wonderful lens, great programing features, wonderful lens, and a great solid build and ergonomics. Did I mention it has a truly wonderful lens? ha ha.
 
Do you know a recommened place in europe where I can find Hexar AFs in good user condition? I mean everything except ebay...
 
zsero said:
Do you know a recommened place in europe where I can find Hexar AFs in good user condition? I mean everything except ebay...
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I bought mine from aperture in London. It was a little pricey (but had a 6 month warranty). They do mail order. They don't have any in a the moment though.
Ffordes is also usually OK and you get some sort of warranty too.

www.apertureuk.com
www.ffordes.co.uk

edit: ffordes have 2 in stock now, but pricey.
 
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