What's my Hexar AF doing?

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hi!

I'm testing a Hexar AF just got, but there is something I'm not sure I can make sense of, so I'd appreciate a hint from other users.

When shooting in A, the camera should select a suitable speed depending on the set aperture. It should do this no matter how slow the necessary speed might be.

However, my camera seems to be only handling exposures down to 1/4s, which is the lowest selectable speed to prevent camera shake. Now, say that light is too low to enable shooting with 1/4s @ f2. The LCD in this case shows which speed the internal meter suggests (ex. 1"), however the " - " LED light keeps blinking in the finder, indicating underexposure. So what's the camera actually doing? Is it telling me "you should be shooting 1s but am not letting you go under 1/4, so expect underexposure"?? Why isn't it going down to 1/2s, 1s, 2s.. ?? Does it only let you shoot slower than 1/4s when in M? That would be ridiculous. Any clue?

 

[zuikologist]

is it a camera shake warning?

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

is it a camera shake warning?

I'd love to think so, but the instruction book says that light blinking means underexposure. Judging from the shutter sound only, I can't figure out whether the camera is shooting 1/4s (underexposed) or slower.

 

[user237428934]

http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html

Look in the section exposure mode where the different behavior of "-" is explained for P and A mode.

In A mode it warns, that the time goes below critical handshake shutter speed.

 

[user237428934]

The review at photo.net was written in 1996. I bought my Hexar in 1999 because of that review 🙂 (and I still have it)

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html

Look in the section exposure mode where the different behavior of "-" is explained for P and A mode.

In A mode it warns, that the time goes below critical handshake shutter speed.

Excellent, thank you so much. Now at least I know that the camera is doing what I want. It seems to be a wonderful camera, with only two major flipsides so far: 1) the non-illuminated frame lines & focus area, that are totally invisible in the dark, and 2) the IR-based AF that may be the world's fastest but can't focus through glass. This wouldn't be a major issue if at least the MF (in the irritation I tend to forget it stands for manual focus...) were usable.

 

[Richard G]

MF is useable for reflections or through windows. Lock on something else and then use that. Or use infinity.

1. Infinity focus: in P mode press MF.
2. Lock focus: half press of shutter button in P mode then press MF.
3. Adjust focus: while pressing MF use the - / + buttons. Quicker to start from 2. above

On the Exposure question: consider P mode as only allowing you certain things and it will take the shot even if underexposed, and in A mode it will set the exposure required, and useability of the motion blurred image be damned.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

.. in A mode it will set the exposure required, and useability of the motion blurred image be damned.

Or "and the wanted motion blurred image be thus possible" 🙂

 

[Richard G]

Or "and the wanted motion blurred image be thus possible" 🙂

Forgive me.

 

[sniki]

When operating in P camera never shoots under minimum shake time you chose, but advices you if this - consequently - will underexpose your shot. Operating in A under the same conditions gives the same alert, but to inform you it will shoot under minimum shake time you chose in order to do not underexpose your shot. Hexar AF is a matter of religion! Such an incredible camera!