Konica Hexar: Disabling Auto Date

[sooner]

Hi Folks,

I am the proud new owner of a hefty Konica Hexar AF, and was wondering if anyone knows where the date imprint appears in the pictures (or on the film between frames?), and how to disable this feature. I have the manual and can't figure it out. Thanks.....John.

 

[jaap]

I'm also a proud owner of the hexar af (silver with stealth mode)
To disable the dat inprint just press the mode button severall times til the display gives ------ . unfortunately the printing is in the picture.

 

[sooner]

Thanks, Jaap. I didn't want to presume that was the answer because it's the only camera I'm taking to San Franscisco with me this weekend, and I didn't want to be wrong and have some date in all my shots. I got an original black model, and the stealth mode really is unbelievable--you can't hear a shutter, only a subsequent muted whirr of the motor advancing the film. I'm really hoping the lens lives up to its reputation......John.

 

[amateriat]

John: Congrats. You have what I've been told is a relatively-rare Hex AF (black w/date back). I had one for about five years and loved it, giving it up only to help finance the first of two Hexar RF bodies.

Provided all is working as it should with your Hex, I think you will be quite satisfied with the resulting images.

Have a good trip, and show some pics when you get the chance.


- Barrett

 

[sooner]

Barrett, good to hear about my Hexar, and your experiences with one. I will post pics upon my return....John.

 

[sahe69]

I'm really hoping the lens lives up to its reputation......John.

It will, rest assured.

 

[Ming The Merciless]

I just got my second Hexar AF. The first one is the black with stealth mode and last week I got a silver model without stealth mode. I've come to love the Hexar AF and mainly for its great lens. I doubt you will be disappointed with yours.

 

[Tim N Calif]

I got an original black model, and the stealth mode really is unbelievable--you can't hear a shutter, only a subsequent muted whirr of the motor advancing the film. I'm really hoping the lens lives up to its reputation......John.

I also recently acquired a black AF, with data back but never turned on the data mode. It has stealth mode, but it's really quiet in non-stealth also. Not knowing much about this curious camera, I wasn't sure what to expect, though I'd read on CameraQuest that the lens rivals Leica. The controls are a challenge, but lens has impressed me. I read in another thread that an Hexar AF user highly recommends using iso100 with the lens at f2.

Here's a few of my first shots from the AF.

On Fuji Superia 800

On Fuji Provia

 

[nandemofoto]

As jaap said you can disable the data imprint with "mode" located on the back of your camera. As for the "-- -- --" it doesn't show on my negatives or pictures.

 

[jaap]

That Hexar af complements my Contax G2 very well because of it,s stealth mode and larger viewfinder. Actually this is my second hexar about 10 years ago I sold one to finance a G2 outfit

 

[sooner]

Hey Jaap, funny you should say that. While walking around Fisherman's Wharf last weekend with my Hexar, I ran into a guy with a G2 and a wide-angle digital cam. I spoke to him about the G2, but he didn't seem to know about the Hexar. I'm supposed to get my slides back tonight, and will post some pics this weekend...assuming any are worth sharing.

 

[sooner]

Couple of Hexar Pics

Couple of Hexar Pics

My first roll's slides came out just fine, perhaps a bit underexposed and I'm not sure if that's my model or the way Hexar's are. The scans from my lab were just terrible--definitely not worth the $4 for a cd--but my scans at home were okay. Here are two. The shot of downtown was from Coit tower, and the slide is extremely sharp. I'm very happy with the camera.

 

[amateriat]

John: Exposure looks about right to me on both. If memory serves, the Hex AF tends to bias a tad toward underexposure, which generally suited my shooting just fine with slides, although when shooting color or b/w neg I would dial in about 1/2-stop in the other direction. Ilford XP2 Super is just killer with that camera at that setting.

Glad to see it's working out. Looking forward to seeing more.


- Barrett

 

[ampguy]

Very nice photos Tim! I have 2 regular black silent ones (though I rarely bother to go to super silent mode), and am thinking of getting one with the date mode. I miss having to guess when photos were taken, and think the date back is a good idea.

How much heft does the date back version add, over the basic versions?

 

[Tim N Calif]

Secret Controls for Hexar AF

Secret Controls for Hexar AF

Ampguy:

I have only the black model with data back, so I've nothing else to compare it to . However, I don't find the slight bulge on the data section bulky at all. Nor do I find the camera heavy in weight. Perhaps someone with the camera with and without the data back can comment.

Barrett:

The seller of my Hex AF also had praise for Ilford XP2 super for the camera - I haven't tried it yet, but pending my results, "I second that emulsion." 🙂

Others familar with this camera:

Regarding those "upgraded features" (IR focusing, aut-bracketing, multiple exposures, etc . . .) once available from Konica: 1) Are these functions possible by using "hidden controls" without upgrading the "classic" version, as suggested on some sites (see, http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3716; a thread started in 1996); and 2) if not, can the camera still be ugraded by Sony or anyone else?

Thanks, TSF

 

[Sunti]

How often to disable the Hexar Autodate

How often to disable the Hexar Autodate

I'm also a proud owner of the hexar af (silver with stealth mode)
To disable the dat inprint just press the mode button severall times til the display gives ------ . unfortunately the printing is in the picture.

Hi...How often do you have to disable the Autodate? Just once up front? every time you turn the camera on? every exposure? (certainly hope this isn't the case).

Thanks! Appreciate the info. I'm closing in on a Hexar, but unfortunately it comes with Autodate.

 

[yeah!]

the databack is powered seperatley from the camera, (runs of a small battery in the back itself) when it is set to ----- it stays like that until you change the setting again.

I shot a roll with the data back turned on just to see if it worked and no date showed up in my negs, maybe I need to replace the battery, or it just does not work.

 

[Taipei-metro]

Very nice photos Tim! I have 2 regular black silent ones (though I rarely bother to go to super silent mode), and am thinking of getting one with the date mode. I miss having to guess when photos were taken, and think the date back is a good idea.

How much heft does the date back version add, over the basic versions?

The date and non-date are at the same weight, 495g less the 2cr5,
non-d 137.5x76.5x64.5mm, w date 137.5x76.5x67.5mm

 

[Taipei-metro]

the databack is powered seperatley from the camera, (runs of a small battery in the back itself) when it is set to ----- it stays like that until you change the setting again.

I shot a roll with the data back turned on just to see if it worked and no date showed up in my negs, maybe I need to replace the battery, or it just does not work.

The black Hexar debuted in 1992, The Silver in 1997, I think it's the button battery's need a replacement.
Date print on the Hexar is very subtle, almost the smallest I've found on '90s Japanese p and s cameras.

I have a date Hexar Silver, this is a non date photo


F1050023_2-1 Taitung Tuban, Taiwan 台東縣 by mitwnn, on Flickr
When shooting in the field, this camera is too quiet...it becomes as a disadvantage for the work, I need to check the frame counter to make sure the picture was taken!!

 

[bensyverson]

To disable the date back entirely, just remove the battery...