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Changes: Konica Hexar

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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">[[File:Excellent-konica-hexar-black-35mm-f-2-af-film-camera-functional-a414c7fdb301a3cb51e423dddb3f4b38.jpg|thumb|220x220px]]
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The '''Konica Hexar''', first released in 1993, is a fixed-lens, [[autofocus]] camera from [[Konica]] with a 35mm f2 lens, rather expensive when new. It appealed with its superb lens and the general high quality of its construction. It also has some unique features, such as a "stealth mode" that makes it one of the quietest of [[35mm]] cameras despite its automatic winding.
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Among users, it is popularly referred to as the "Hexar AF" (for "autofocus"), in contradistinction to the interchangeable-lens, [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] focused [[Konica Hexar RF]].</p>
   
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">The Hexar AF was sold as a luxurious [[Point-and-shoot|point and shoot]] with a fabulous lens (the lens is often compared to a leica summicron). It can be compared to the [[Nikon 35Ti]], the [[Contax T2]] or the [[Ricoh GR1]], but the high quality construction, the fabulous lens and the price made of the Hexar an alternative to interchangeable-lens [[Rangefinder camera]] such as the [[Contax G]].</p>
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The 1993 '''Konica Hexar''' was an expensive, fixed lens, autofocus camera from [[Konica]] with a 35mm f2 lens. Falling between the Leicas & Contax Gs of the period, it sold on the superb wide angle lens and the general high quality of its construction. It also had some unique features - a "stealth mode for one - - Stephen Gandy thinks it had the quietest motorwind of any 35mm
  
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== Versions ==
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">there are 2 versions of the Hexar AF and 3 limited editions.</p>
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#The "KONICA HEXAR" is the first version. The camera is black, has the "stealth mode". It was available with or without date back. Released in february 1992.
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#Released in april 1997, the "HEXAR Silver" is the second version. It has a chrome finish and a date back, the "stealth mode" dissapeared, but the camera get extra features : multiple exposures, one step exposure setting in manual mode, guide number setting, and infra red film setting.
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">the limited editions are :</p>
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#The "HEXAR Classic". 2000 made. chrome finish with "stealth mode" and an extra feature : Auto backeting. Released in 1993 for the 120th anniversary of Konica.
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#The "HEXAR Gold" Also named "Titanium". 500 made. Gold finish with "stealth mode". Released in 1993 for the 120th anniversary of Konica.
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#The "HEXAR Rhodium. This is an HEXAR Silver with a pinkish finish. Released in may 1994.
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">Brown leathered versions also exist, But officially these were never made.</p>
   
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13">Every features can be unlock for every version of the hexar with some kind of firmware procedure (to know this procedure search for the charles clemens' comment in the Richard Caruana's review)</p>
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Among users, it is popularly referred to as the "Hexar AF" (for "autofocus"), in contradistinction to the interchangeable-lens, rangefinder focused [[Konica Hexar RF]].
 
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<br clear="all">
  
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<div class="floatright" style="text-align:center;"><div style="border:black 2px solid">http://www.ukcamera.com/collect/images/konicahexar1sm.jpg</div></div>
  
   
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== Specification ==
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== Specifications ==
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* Lens: Hexar 35mm f2; six groups, seven elements; minimum aperture f22; built-in [[lens hood]]
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* Autofocus: infrared active - 105 steps
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* Lens: Hexar 35mm f2; six groups, seven elements; minimum aperture f22; built-in lens hood
  
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* Autofocus: infrared active - 290 steps
  
 
* Close focus: 0.6m
  
* Close focus: 0.6m
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* Shutter: Electromagnetic 30secs - 1/250
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* Shutter: Electromagnetic 30secs - 1/250
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* Light meter: SPD - Centre-weighted (15 degrees) Spot-metering (4 degrees)
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* [[Light meter]]: SPD - Centre-weighted (15 degrees) Spot-metering (4 degrees)
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* Sensitivity: EV 0-16 @ ISO 100 (centre) EV3-18 (spot)
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* Sensitivity: [[EV]] 0-16 at [[ASA|ISO]] 100 (centre) EV3-18 (spot)
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* Modes: Programmed AE, Aperture priority, Metered Manual
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* Modes: Programmed AE, aperture priority, metered manual
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* Film speed setting: DX coding or manual (6-6400)
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* [[Film Speed|Film speed setting]]: [[DX coding]] or manual (6-6400)
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* Viewfinder: Reverse Galileo with bright lines, automatic parallax and angle of field correction
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* Viewfinder: Reverse Galilean with bright lines, automatic [[parallax]] and angle of field correction
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* Displays: [[LCD]] on top, viewfinder
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<br clear="all">
  
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* [[Film advance|Film transport]]: Motor (and rewind)
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<div class="floatright" style="text-align:center;"><div style="border:black 2px solid">http://www.ukcamera.com/collect/images/konicahexar2sm.jpg</div></div>
  
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* [[Self-timer]]: Electronic (approx 10 seconds; no thread for a cable release)
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* Displays: LCD on top, viewfinder
  
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* Film transport: Motor (and rewind)
  
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* Self timer: Electronic (approx 10 seconds); there is no thread for a cable release
  
 
* Other features: focus lock, exposure compensation (1/3 stop increments); silent mode (standard with some variants, programmable with others)
  
* Other features: focus lock, exposure compensation (1/3 stop increments); silent mode (standard with some variants, programmable with others)
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* Power: 6v (2CR5)
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* Power: 6v (2CR5 battery)
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* Dimensions: Width - 137.5 Height - 76.5 Depth - 64.5
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* Dimensions: Width 137.5mm, height 76.5mm, depth 64.5mm
 
* Weight: 495g without battery
  
* Weight: 495g without battery
 
* Matching flash: HX-14 (GN14)
  
* Matching flash: HX-14 (GN14)
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* Price in Britain: £600 August 1998)
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* Price in Britain: £600 (August 1998)
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<br clear="all">
  
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<div class="floatright" style="text-align:center;"><div style="border:black 2px solid">http://www.ukcamera.com/collect/images/konicahexar3sm.jpg</div>All Illustrations from catalogue - Copyright Konica</div>
  
 
== Links ==
  
== Links ==
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* [https://books.google.com/books?id=X03FXxyDJfQC&pg=PA76&dq=konica+hexar&hl=en Konica Hexar presentation] in Popular Photography issue Dec 1992 at Google Books.
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* [http://www.sample-image.com/konica-hexar-af/ Konica Hexar AF - Sample Images]
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* Richard Caruana's [http://www.photo.net/equipment/point-and-shoot/konica-hexar review] at photo.net (discussion includes very useful hidden function unlocking information)
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* Richard Caruana's [http://www.photo.net/equipment/point-and-shoot/konica-hexar review] at photo.net (discussion includes very useful hidden function unlocking information).
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* Steven Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/konhex.htm overview] at Cameraquest
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* Stephen Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/konhex.htm overview] at Cameraquest.
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* Dante Stella's [http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexar.html review].
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* Dante Stella's [http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexar.html review]
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* Davidde Stella's [http://web.archive.org/web/20040817152547/www.davidde.com/articles/hexar.html comment on durability and lens design] (via Wayback, therefore slow).
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* Stuart Richardson's [http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~srichardson/hexar.htm Commentary].
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* [http://wiki.silvergrain.org/wiki/index.php/Konica_Hexar Detailed article] at [http://wiki.silvergrain.org/ Silvergrain wiki].
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* Stuart Richardson's [http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~srichardson/hexar.htm Commentary]
  
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* Matt Alofs' [http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/hexar-af-review review].
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* [http://wiki.silvergrain.org/wiki/index.php/Konica_Hexar Detailed article] at [http://wiki.silvergrain.org/ Silvergrain wiki]
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konica_Hexar article on the Hexar].
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_hexar/konica_hexar.htm Hexar instruction manual] in English.
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* On [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand :
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* Matt Alofs' [http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/hexar-af-review review]
  
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** [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12428 Konica Hexar ]
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** [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12436 Konica Hexar ]
   
 
== Photos ==
  
== Photos ==
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* Random [http://pbase.com/cameras/konica/hexar_af Hexar photos] from pbase.com
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<p zoompage-fontsize="13"></p>
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* Random [http://pbase.com/cameras/konica/hexar_af photos] from pbase
  
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[[Category: Konica|Hexar]]
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[[Category: Konica]]
  
 
[[Category: K]]
  
[[Category: K]]
 
[[Category: H|Hexar]]
  
[[Category: H|Hexar]]
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[[Category:Japanese autofocus]]

Latest revision as of 18:37, 5 December 2018

Excellent-konica-hexar-black-35mm-f-2-af-film-camera-functional-a414c7fdb301a3cb51e423dddb3f4b38

The Konica Hexar, first released in 1993, is a fixed-lens, autofocus camera from Konica with a 35mm f2 lens, rather expensive when new. It appealed with its superb lens and the general high quality of its construction. It also has some unique features, such as a "stealth mode" that makes it one of the quietest of 35mm cameras despite its automatic winding.

Among users, it is popularly referred to as the "Hexar AF" (for "autofocus"), in contradistinction to the interchangeable-lens, rangefinder focused Konica Hexar RF.

The Hexar AF was sold as a luxurious point and shoot with a fabulous lens (the lens is often compared to a leica summicron). It can be compared to the Nikon 35Ti, the Contax T2 or the Ricoh GR1, but the high quality construction, the fabulous lens and the price made of the Hexar an alternative to interchangeable-lens Rangefinder camera such as the Contax G.

Versions[]

there are 2 versions of the Hexar AF and 3 limited editions.

  1. The "KONICA HEXAR" is the first version. The camera is black, has the "stealth mode". It was available with or without date back. Released in february 1992.
  2. Released in april 1997, the "HEXAR Silver" is the second version. It has a chrome finish and a date back, the "stealth mode" dissapeared, but the camera get extra features : multiple exposures, one step exposure setting in manual mode, guide number setting, and infra red film setting.

the limited editions are :

  1. The "HEXAR Classic". 2000 made. chrome finish with "stealth mode" and an extra feature : Auto backeting. Released in 1993 for the 120th anniversary of Konica.
  2. The "HEXAR Gold" Also named "Titanium". 500 made. Gold finish with "stealth mode". Released in 1993 for the 120th anniversary of Konica.
  3. The "HEXAR Rhodium. This is an HEXAR Silver with a pinkish finish. Released in may 1994.

Brown leathered versions also exist, But officially these were never made.

Every features can be unlock for every version of the hexar with some kind of firmware procedure (to know this procedure search for the charles clemens' comment in the Richard Caruana's review)

Specifications[]

  • Lens: Hexar 35mm f2; six groups, seven elements; minimum aperture f22; built-in lens hood
  • Autofocus: infrared active - 105 steps
  • Close focus: 0.6m
  • Shutter: Electromagnetic 30secs - 1/250
  • Light meter: SPD - Centre-weighted (15 degrees) Spot-metering (4 degrees)
  • Sensitivity: EV 0-16 at ISO 100 (centre) EV3-18 (spot)
  • Modes: Programmed AE, aperture priority, metered manual
  • Film speed setting: DX coding or manual (6-6400)
  • Viewfinder: Reverse Galilean with bright lines, automatic parallax and angle of field correction
  • Displays: LCD on top, viewfinder
  • Film transport: Motor (and rewind)
  • Self-timer: Electronic (approx 10 seconds; no thread for a cable release)
  • Other features: focus lock, exposure compensation (1/3 stop increments); silent mode (standard with some variants, programmable with others)
  • Power: 6v (2CR5 battery)
  • Dimensions: Width 137.5mm, height 76.5mm, depth 64.5mm
  • Weight: 495g without battery
  • Matching flash: HX-14 (GN14)
  • Price in Britain: £600 (August 1998)

Links[]

Photos[]

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