Yeah, I'm liking the Konica Hexar AF

[eric]

I've always wanted one of these. I'm a big Konica fan. I have the SLR's and lenses but you can't get an adapter to put those lenses on a digibody like you can with Nikons, Canons, Minoltas, and M42 lenses.

But I got one of these the other week from here. I'm loving it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35127095@N00/sets/72157603413082258/

 

[vrgard]

Me too, Eric. I just picked one up off ebay this week. Still getting used to it since it's so much like a rangefinder camera yet with the automation it isn't. I'm just glad there's so much great info on the net about this camera because I never would have appreciated half of what it can do otherwise. I assume you've seen it but in case not, the photo.net review and follow on comments is a wealth of knowledge (see http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html).

-Randy

 

[RayPA]

I recently added to my collection of high-end 35mm P&S cameras, and I was shooting some comparison tests with all my p&s cameras this morning, including the HAF. It seemed silly to add the HAF to the group. I've had it for a couple of years now, and I already know it'll easily blow away the others. The quality is so good on this camera that I can't bring myself to call it a p&s (with all the negative connotations associated with that category of camera).

 

[vrgard]

I can't disagree with you, Ray, except to say that my first shooting experience with this camera on Friday morning was a bit disconcerting. I had been used to thinking so much about aperture and shutter speed that it just felt weird to set the Hexar on "P" and let the camera figure things out for me. I did set my desired aperture, of course, and the composition is still mine, but it did feel weird to just "point and shot" and heck, I haven't run through a whole roll that fast in ages!

-Randy

 

[RayPA]

Randy, I shoot the HAF in either 'A' or 'M' mode. I'm not a big fan of 'P' mode on any camera.


.

 

[vrgard]

Normally I would too, Ray, but with the Hexar AF in P mode, you can set the camera to a preferred aperture and the camera will match your preferred aperture to the right shutter speed for the proper exposure and will only vary from the preferred aperture if needed for the proper exposure. As a result, to me, this seems preferrable to A mode where the camera will use the aperture you set even if it results in a wrong exposure.

So tell me, how and why do you use the A and M modes? Like I said, I just got mine and have only run one roll through it so could use any insights you care to share.

-Randy

 

[mfunnell]

I'm not a big fan of 'P' mode on any camera.

I'd agree with you except in two cases - some clever flash modes (on some of those sorts of cameras) - and the P mode on the Hexar AF. Its a remarkably clever little beastie in that it will give you the aperture you've set unless the exposure is unachievable (usually because of the slow max shutter speed, in which case it stops down for you). It also allows you to set a floor on your shutter speed and will open up (max f2, of course) if you're going to go below that.

I rather admire the latter in theory, though I've never set or used it. I do like the "I'll obey you, unless you're stupid" approach of the first feature. Even with an ND filter I like the overexposure protection, especially when shooting slide film (something I like the Hexar AF for). Quite unlike an SLR in "dumb mode" that decides everything for you.

...Mike

 

[vrgard]

Mike, I have not yet used the flash with the Hexar AF. Care to share any of your tips or experiences?

-Randy

 

[mfunnell]

Mike, I have not yet used the flash with the Hexar AF. Care to share any of your tips or experiences?

-Randy

Sorry I wasn't clear - by "those sorts of cameras" I meant SLRs (with modern E-TTL and stuff). I've never used the flash on the Hexar AF either.

...Mike

 

[RayPA]

Normally I would too, Ray, but with the Hexar AF in P mode, you can set the camera to a preferred aperture and the camera will match your preferred aperture to the right shutter speed for the proper exposure and will only vary from the preferred aperture if needed for the proper exposure.
As a result, to me, this seems preferrable to A mode where the camera will use the aperture you set even if it results in a wrong exposure.
So tell me, how and why do you use the A and M modes? Like I said, I just got mine and have only run one roll through it so could use any insights you care to share.
-Randy

I understand how P mode operates on the HexAF, but I guess I'm not following why it's preferable to use it over A mode or especially M mode. For me the idea of having more control over the camera is improved accuracy and consistency. I don't want the camera changing my exposure, because the camera can be fooled, very easily.

So, I try to use the camera as much as possible in the same way I would use a non-p&s camera (manual mode), and you can do that fairly easily with the Hexar AF. The lens is waaay to nice, and silent mode is waaay to cool a feature. The point of my original post was that this camera produces some very atypical "p&s" results, which makes me want to treat in a very non-p&s fashion.

As Mike stated, I've found value in P mode for flash situations (where I get fooled). I used to shoot P mode a lot with my Nikon N2000 with a mounted flash. It was great for fill-flash situations.

 

[RayPA]

Eric, nice shots, btw. I like the dips you did. The one of the dog is great.

 

[ampguy]

Randy, glad to hear you finally got an AF, I'm sure you'll love it.

This is the only camera I'd use P mode on, as it can be like a shutter priority mode.

In low light or where you'll be pointing in and out of dark and bright, you can set your A to 22, and your lowest acceptable speed to 1/15 or 1/30 or whatever, and the camera will vary the A wider, but by trying to match your 22, will essentially keep your shutter at 1/15th or 1/30 giving you max DOF without getting blurry or underexposed.

For when I don't need that level of automation, I use A mode. I don't use the M mode, because the meter then becomes a spot meter, and I have to think a lot more.

 

[pvdhaar]

The P-mode with flash is the most cleverly thought out mode ever in the history of photography. It takes the ambient exposure using the aperture you've selected (assuming that it can match it with a shutter speed in the range of 1/250 down to the value you set as camera shake speed). But now comes the clever part.. towards the end of the ambient exposure, the camera does the A = d/GN trick, which means it calculates the required aperture for correct flash exposure, and closes down the aperture during the shot.

This gives 100% perfectly balanced flash, no matter where in the frame the subject is, or how little area it occupies, or whatever the backlight... and all that while the ambient exposure is made at your chosen aperture..

I know of no other camera that allows you to do flash photography this way..

 

[amateriat]

The Hexar AF at night

In the five years that I owned it, I doung the Hex AF just wonderful to work with. Available-light work was always one of the camera's strong suits, but popping on its little flash was great as well. The "secret" wasn't all that much a secret: instead of an on-flash sensor, the Hex AF automatically adjusts lens aperture according to focused distance, guided by the flash unit's guide number (and, of course, film speed). You can use most any hot-shoe-equipped flash with the Hex this way, but you'd have to manually dial in the GN (not necessary with the Hexar's own HX-14 flash). No sensor to get thrown off by, say, a subject's especially bright/shiny clothing when shot against a stark, black background.

The following images were shot on Halloween of '99.


Halloweegee

Yes, he was actually shooting that night, his bag loaded with film holders, and a coat pocket loaded with flashbulbs. Cool guy.


Winged Pixie

She has stardom written all over her.



Polka Spider Girl

She got the Cuteness Award for the night, as far as I was concerned...


- Barrett

 

[vrgard]

The P-mode with flash is the most cleverly thought out mode ever in the history of photography. It takes the ambient exposure using the aperture you've selected (assuming that it can match it with a shutter speed in the range of 1/250 down to the value you set as camera shake speed). But now comes the clever part.. towards the end of the ambient exposure, the camera does the A = d/GN trick, which means it calculates the required aperture for correct flash exposure, and closes down the aperture during the shot.

This gives 100% perfectly balanced flash, no matter where in the frame the subject is, or how little area it occupies, or whatever the backlight... and all that while the ambient exposure is made at your chosen aperture..

I know of no other camera that allows you to do flash photography this way..

Thanks, Peter, for explaining this. I was thinking the camera needed to be in A mode for that to work but after double-checking it looks like you're right that P mode is the proper setting. I've read and re-read the discussion of the Hexar AF's flash capabilities and settings on photo.net and am still trying to sort out how best to actually use the camera and flash. I guess I should just try some different situations and settings to clear up in my own mind exactly what is going on and how best to set & use the camera & flash. Fair warning - I may be bugging you soon for answers to questions that will likely arise!

And thanks Barrett/amateriat for posting your flash shots. Can you tell me what settings, including mode, you were using on the flash & camera?

Oh, and Ted/ampguy and Ray/RayPA (and Roland/ferider), we should get together sometime soon to compare notes on this camera. Not only are we overdue for a beer together but I would enjoy comparing notes on how each of us is using this camera to best effect.

-Randy

 

[amateriat]

Randy: All photos were taken in "P" mode using the HX-14 flash. Believe it or not, I think I took these with slide film, but will need to check to be sure (these are from old scans I made about a week after the parade).

The Hex AF is one of the very few cameras I miss having (only got rid of it to help fund one of my two Hexar RFs). It realy is that good.


- Barrett

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, Ravinder. I just sent you a PM with my email address.

And if anyone else has any personal favorites in terms of how they use their Hexar AF, with or without flash, I'm interested in hearing about it. As I said, I'm new to this camera and still learning about its capabilities.

-Randy

 

[mfunnell]

All this good stuff about flash has made me want to try it. Yet another area where the Hexar is an especially clever little beastie. This morning I unearthed my HX-14 (I knew it was somewhere) and will use it some time Real Soon Now. I was already thinking of using the Hexar as my main camera for recording the family Christmas, and this might add an extra trick to its use.

...Mike

 

[amateriat]

Mike: That setup is definitely the hot ticket for candid holiday snaps with real snap. (Note to Konica Auto S3 owners: this camera's flash system was the basis for the Hexar AF's, albeit with manual focus. Yes, I have one.)

Hope you have fun (first and foremost), and get some good pics.

And, as an example of shooting "the living daylights" with the littlest Hex, here's one, on K64:

(I just realized, this scan may go back to late 1998, with my first film scanner [second-hand Nikon LS-10]; time for a re-scan.)

- Barrett

 

[eric]

Thanks, Ravinder. I just sent you a PM with my email address.

And if anyone else has any personal favorites in terms of how they use their Hexar AF, with or without flash, I'm interested in hearing about it. As I said, I'm new to this camera and still learning about its capabilities.

-Randy

Randy,
I mostly been using it with the A mode. I'm just used to aperture priority. ASO 400 film rated 200. But my shots on flickr were done on Delta 400 @ 320. With AF systems, I like to focus and recompose.