mrjr
Established
Here’s something I’ve been preoccupied with for weeks: what camera should receive the title "the poor man’s Hexar AF"?
The background for me is this: I had a Hexar AF earlier this year for long enough to shoot a single roll of film before I had to return it for an undisclosed filter ring dent. I'd like to get another, but the prices have actually gone up, and there are so many other capable compacts with 35mm lenses available for a fraction of the price, that it hardly seems justified. So I'm looking at alternatives (with intent to purchase): fixed-lens compact cameras with semi-wide, fast lenses and the best balance of enthusiast features... priced to be wallet-friendly.
I think most people would agree that the Hexar is a benchmark camera in its class—a standard of comparison for all others. I have a couple candidates in mind (one of which I own), but I’m asking the collective:
Make your case; what camera is the poor man’s Hexar?
(To be clear, this is not a theoretical exercise intended to create a heated debate. Rather, I’m asking for your well-reasoned input to assist in a purchasing decision.)
The background for me is this: I had a Hexar AF earlier this year for long enough to shoot a single roll of film before I had to return it for an undisclosed filter ring dent. I'd like to get another, but the prices have actually gone up, and there are so many other capable compacts with 35mm lenses available for a fraction of the price, that it hardly seems justified. So I'm looking at alternatives (with intent to purchase): fixed-lens compact cameras with semi-wide, fast lenses and the best balance of enthusiast features... priced to be wallet-friendly.
I think most people would agree that the Hexar is a benchmark camera in its class—a standard of comparison for all others. I have a couple candidates in mind (one of which I own), but I’m asking the collective:
Make your case; what camera is the poor man’s Hexar?
(To be clear, this is not a theoretical exercise intended to create a heated debate. Rather, I’m asking for your well-reasoned input to assist in a purchasing decision.)
daveleo
what?
Look at the Canon Canonet model. When I was using that (ages ago) I really liked it. Meter battery may be a problem (mercury I think), but I just carried a little exposure card in my pocket.
I must ask: what is the "candidate" that you already own ??
I must ask: what is the "candidate" that you already own ??
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
I nominate the Nikon L35AF. One stop slower and a good deal noisier (I suppose, never having been around the Hexar AF) but will take standard filters, has focus confirmation in the VF, and manual backlight compensation. No flash off switch but it will expose correctly if you hold the pop-up flash down, I believe that was even the official advice in the manual.
Full disclosure: I don't use mine and am ready to let it go, through the classifieds here.
Full disclosure: I don't use mine and am ready to let it go, through the classifieds here.
lonemantis
Well-known
The Hexar is totally an anomaly in the compact camera world - why Konica ever produced it in the first place is baffling to me. But I'm glad they did!
The main benefit of the Hexar over other compacts are the VF size, lens quality, and silent operation. Unless you really need AF, the closest relative I can think of would be the Canonet QL17.
The main benefit of the Hexar over other compacts are the VF size, lens quality, and silent operation. Unless you really need AF, the closest relative I can think of would be the Canonet QL17.
Greyscale
Veteran
I nominate the Canon ML.
f16sunshine
Moderator
40mm f1.9 lens Canon AF35ML .
It takes aa batteries and has a nice sharp lens. Hits focus pretty well.
Not very quiet. There really is only one Hexar AF but this camera is fun.
Jeff here on the forum gave me one last year during the christmas giveaway.
I've shot a few rolls through it and actually have had some great results.
It was the camera on the table last year during our Superbowl party. Super fun.
Click the embedded link to KR's review
It takes aa batteries and has a nice sharp lens. Hits focus pretty well.
Not very quiet. There really is only one Hexar AF but this camera is fun.
Jeff here on the forum gave me one last year during the christmas giveaway.
I've shot a few rolls through it and actually have had some great results.
It was the camera on the table last year during our Superbowl party. Super fun.
Click the embedded link to KR's review
B-9
Devin Bro
Yashica T* compacts are very solid performers, cheaper than their contax cousins, with identical glass.
The Nikon L35AF and Canon 35AF are about on parr with one another, cheap, noisy, and plastic. I prefer the canon for its ability to lock focus before an exposure.
Any of the 70's compacts will do you proud, if you can live with a longer lens (38-45)
The Canon QL models are expensive, and typically require repair (sticky shutter blades)
Goodluck!
The Nikon L35AF and Canon 35AF are about on parr with one another, cheap, noisy, and plastic. I prefer the canon for its ability to lock focus before an exposure.
Any of the 70's compacts will do you proud, if you can live with a longer lens (38-45)
The Canon QL models are expensive, and typically require repair (sticky shutter blades)
Goodluck!
taemo
eat sleep shoot
does it have to be film or can it be digital? x100 can be had for a little more than an Hex AF
have no experience with the HexAf though and actually about to pick it up at the post office in 2 hours, very excited.
had the x100 and x100s and loved them, just prefer film more than digital
have no experience with the HexAf though and actually about to pick it up at the post office in 2 hours, very excited.
had the x100 and x100s and loved them, just prefer film more than digital
taemo
eat sleep shoot
maybe the yashica electro cc/ccn if you want a compact 35mm RF, only downside is that it is MF and Av mode
Vics
Veteran
Canon Sure Shot Supreme with its 38mm f2.8 lens, makes damn fine pictures in daylight. AE AF. I paid two pounds at a boot sale in the UK.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
In the 90s, Ricoh came out with some very nice professional P&Ss - R1, GR1.
A tad slower than the Hexar but equally as fun to shoot.
You can also include the Fuji Klasse in this catagory.
A tad slower than the Hexar but equally as fun to shoot.
You can also include the Fuji Klasse in this catagory.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Just get a Hexar mate!
The contridiction in your post is clear. The AF is the Benchmark and it is totally justified!
mrjr
Established
Good input so far, gentlemen.
I'm happy to see the Nikon L35AF get a recommendation. And to answer DL's question, that's the "candidate" that I currently own, and which I'd argue certainly must be near the top of the list (for features like manual ASA, qdistance scale, 46mm filter threads, good 35mm lens, etc). I have my first roll of film loaded in it right now.
I'm not opposed to manual focusing, and there's no sense hiding that I both have and enjoy using my Olympus XA and my Konica Auto S3. I, personally, don't care for 40mm lenses, but I wouldn't preclude any one of the vast selection of such rangefinders from this comparison on that point alone.
In terms of AF options, I'd be thrilled with further input and suggestions. For instance, would anybody here put the Stylus Epic ahead of the Nikon L35AF? I'm wondering how the IR AF performance compares to the Hexar (and to the L35AF) in precision and speed? Would anyone say the smaller size and 3200 ASA offsets the lack of exposure control and filters?
I'm happy to see the Nikon L35AF get a recommendation. And to answer DL's question, that's the "candidate" that I currently own, and which I'd argue certainly must be near the top of the list (for features like manual ASA, qdistance scale, 46mm filter threads, good 35mm lens, etc). I have my first roll of film loaded in it right now.
I'm not opposed to manual focusing, and there's no sense hiding that I both have and enjoy using my Olympus XA and my Konica Auto S3. I, personally, don't care for 40mm lenses, but I wouldn't preclude any one of the vast selection of such rangefinders from this comparison on that point alone.
In terms of AF options, I'd be thrilled with further input and suggestions. For instance, would anybody here put the Stylus Epic ahead of the Nikon L35AF? I'm wondering how the IR AF performance compares to the Hexar (and to the L35AF) in precision and speed? Would anyone say the smaller size and 3200 ASA offsets the lack of exposure control and filters?
mrjr
Established
Holy crap! So many responses between the time I started the above reply and the time I posted it.
I'll get to some other replies as well, but to answer film/digital and the question about the X100... I actually have an X100S, which I would say is the spiritual successor to the Hexar. For the purposes of this thread and to justify future purchases (haha), let's talk about film.
I'll get to some other replies as well, but to answer film/digital and the question about the X100... I actually have an X100S, which I would say is the spiritual successor to the Hexar. For the purposes of this thread and to justify future purchases (haha), let's talk about film.
Ranchu
Veteran
The Nikon's lens is much better than the stylus epics. I think both are equal at af, no issues for me.
Swift1
Veteran
The Pentax PC35AF is a very well built AF P&S that is very underrated. Has a great 35/2.8 lens. It's almost like an AF XA.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
The Ricohs are a different kettle of fish altogether, I find. Wide and slow lenses instead of semi-wide and fast as requested in the OP. Plus the LCDs tend to die on them, and that's not just the exposure counter but the mode symbols and the VF framelines!
I have an R1s (silver R1) with the above symptoms, it's still a fun p&s with fast film but no more than that.
I have an R1s (silver R1) with the above symptoms, it's still a fun p&s with fast film but no more than that.
burancap
Veteran
Glad it found a happy home! To the OP, forget the $100 and just get another Hexar!
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Name a few, please? Preferably the ones that can do P, A, M with manual override?
IMHO, Poor Man will have to save pennies and be Rich Man, to subsequently morph into Hexar Man
BlackXList
Well-known
They're not the same glass at all, the Yashicas are Tessar lenses, and the Contaxes are Sonnars, (and the Contax T2 is 38mm not 35).
I also had a Hexar for a single roll before it died, (a capacitor died) and it's definitely in a league of it's own function wise.
I have the Nikon L35AF2 and 3, they're very capable but for some reason I find I don't shoot a lot with them.
Although the feature sets are a little different I've found that I really like the Yashica T4 for B/W and the Contax T2/T3 for colour work.