Konica Hexar AF

The Ultimate Fixed Lens Available Light Point & Shoot

The Konica Hexar AF is a fantastic available light candid camera that is both simple and complex. In certain ways, it is unrivaled, lending credence to its "cult" position as the ideal stealth street camera. A fast sharp lens paired with very quiet and fast operation — quieter and faster than a Leica M6!! While some of the controls are cumbersome, the Hexar AF is the most technologically advanced 35mm camera ever built with a fixed 35/2 or faster lens. The original black Hexar and black Hexar Autodate offer "stealth" film advance mode, which is perhaps the quietest motorized film advance mode of any 35mm camera. On second thought, I can't hear the camera operate in silent mode; I've never found a quieter 35mm camera. It'd be ideal for movie settings or courtrooms.

Important Characteristics

The Hexar AF delivers far faster operation than any classic manual focus rangefinder, including the Leica M series, when using autofocus in conjunction with Aperture or Programmed exposure settings. In 290 steps, you can get from 2 feet to infinity using active infrared.

Fixed sharp 7 element 6 group 35/2 lens with f/22 aperture and 46mm filter. This lens is said to be a near-exact replica of the Leica non-aspheric 35/2 Summicron.

By slightly depressing the shutter release, you can combine AE Lock and AF Lock.
Accurate rapid infrared active autofocus with mostly ineffective manual override
Unbelievably quiet film advance in "Silent Mode," also known as "Stealth" film advance, Aperture priority, and match needle exposure.

Shutter speeds are displayed on the camera's top LCD monitor.
Metering that isn't TTL: 15° (EV 0 - 16/ISO 100) or 4° (EV 3 - 18/ISO 100) The centerweighted meter is three stops more sensitive to low light, while the spot meter responds to two stops higher light levels; the metering cell is on the front, near the conventional self timer placement.

Exceptionally bright viewfinder

Excellent ergonomic form, very easy to hold because to the built-in grip
All versions include, or can be adapted to, autofocus for infrared films (Kodak or Konica IR films). This is a HUGE DEAL for me because I enjoy IR films but dislike the inconvenience of manually centering the lens after each shot. I wish EVERY AF camera had this function.
Details

The electronic leaf Shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/250th of a second, with T Flash sync available at all speeds for manual or aperture priority images.

The dials and shutter release are large and simple to use.
The button controls are small and difficult to operate.

Quiet motorized film advance with automatic roll end rewind and incomplete roll film rewind.
Mode of Silence Film advance is exceedingly quiet, even quieter than the renowned Leica M cameras, but it may not work if the battery is low. DX film speed setting at 6 meters is 25-5000, manual setting is 6-6400.

Integrated lens shade

2CR5 power source 6 volt lithium battery, good for 200 24 exposure rolls.
In two hours, the auto shuts down.
All models have double exposures or can be updated to have them.
Auto Film Rewind displays the film leader near the end of the LCD panel; open the camera back up then if you want to remove the film leader from the cartridge.

Manual By tapping the "R" button with the tip of a pencil or pen, you can rewind before the end of the roll.
Konica developed a fantastic Hexar casing, however it appears to be difficult to find used.
NO TTL flash, basic tiny HX914 dedicated flash, or advanced flash characteristics — All speeds of flash sync
Automatic operation 2 to 23 feet on 100 film, guide number 46 on 100 film
The HX914 can be used in aperture priority, manual, or program mode.

Usable with any flash or flash combo, not only on-camera flash, as most P/S are.
The incredibly handy and precise Guide Number flash technology is standard on all models or can be updated. As long as you use the suitable GN, you can achieve precise flash exposures with any flash. As you concentrate, the aperture opens or shuts to meet the flash output.
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Viewfinder

Even with glasses, it's bright and easy to see.
Crosshairs in the center to indicate the AF focus point
Motorized framelines are used to correct parallax.
Frame lines are visible, but not as bright as those on Leica M cameras.
Focus confirmation in green AF LED
Finder Distance Scale
Warning: too close focus
LED plus/minus indicators and over/under exposure alerts
There are no shutter speeds or f/stop finder displays. Over-rides

Plus/minus 2 stops in 1/3 stops for exposure compensation
Manual Focus — but VERY inconvenient and time consuming AE lock Program Biasing — a well-thought-out alternative
ISO can be set manually.
Negatives

Many of the functions accessible via the little "Select" and "MF" buttons are unlabeled. These functionally hidden commands become "The Lost Commands of Hexar" if they are not memorized or if you do not have an instruction book accessible. The ever-valuable Silent Mode film advance command is a prime example. The Hexar is NOT controlled by intuition.

Even if you are familiar with the controls, the small multi-function "Select" and "MF" buttons are difficult to use and frequently confuse. The Hexar AF would be a MUCH better camera if these were replaced by dials that were easier to use.
The LCD frame counting vanishes once you slightly depress the shutter release, to be replaced by the different camera status readouts. I've never seen a camera where the frame counter can disappear; it can be annoying if you're towards the end of a roll.

No battery = no camera

While the Hexar has manual focus override, most photographers find it so difficult to operate that it is a waste of time.
Meter cell window on front of camera in traditional self-timer position. If not careful, the photographer's fingers can obstruct the meter and the IR focusing beam.

Some shooters may find the top speed of 1/250th to be a significant disadvantage. To some extent, you can get around this by using a neutral density filter, but you must remember to manually reset the film speed because the meter does not read through the filter.

Instead of a fixed databack on only one model, I would have chosen a more advanced interchangeable data back fitting all Hexars.

There is no standard PC connection, however it can be used with studio flash via a hot shoe/PC connection adaptor, as an IR transmitter, or as a slave to on-camera flash.

There is no cable release of any type, therefore the self timer serves as a sort of alternative.
The instruction guide for the Hexar is badly written, making it difficult to understand all of the camera's functions. If there is an award for "worst camera instruction book," the Hexar AF may win first place.
Which Hexar AF is the best fit for you?

1993 Original Black Hexar: featuring a comfortable black rubberized finish, stealth or standard film advance, and NO databack.

The same camera with databack, the "Autodate" Databack Hexar seen to the right: same as above but with bulkier basic date back for day, month, year, or time, stealth film advance or normal film advance, stealth film advance or normal film advance. The original Hexar databack is extremely rare.

Many people believe that the first two Hexars' black, easy-to-grip rubberized surfaces are the most usable and least visible of the Hexar series.

While these Hexars had the desirable silent "stealth" film advance, they lacked four features that Konica will gladly upgrade them to for only $30: multiple exposures, AF focusing for Infrared Kodak or Konica films, Guide number focusing flash exposure, and a one-button option to quickly switch to match needle exposure mode with spot metering. If you still have an original Hexar with the old software, upgrade it as soon as possible. Konica will not continue to provide this upgrade indefinitely!
UPDATE: I ran into the retired Konica sales manager in the United States. He claims that the black AutoDate Hexar AF is a very unusual camera. When they were first introduced, no US dealers wanted them. He recalls only 20 AutoDates being formally imported into the United States. He further stated that, contrary to many other sources, ONLY the original Hexar and Hexar AutoDate feature the entirely silent film advance.

Rhodium: — pinkish color — the same specifications as the updated original Hexar Classic: 1993 silver chrome finish Hexars honouring Konica's 120th anniversary. Only 2000 were created, making it difficult to find, distinctive gray presentation box, top plate etched "120 Years, Since 1873." The only Hexar AF that includes Auto Bracketing! Otherwise, the specifications are the same as the updated Original Hexar.

Gold Hexar: gold-plated Classic honouring Konica's 120th anniversary, limited edition of 500. View Photos
Silver year: 1997 The specifications are the same as the improved Hexar, however there is no Silent Mode (wah!!!). To me, the lack of a silent option indicates that the Silver is the Hexar to avoid. Naturally, the Silver is the only Hexar AF now in production. There was apparently some form of patent infringement, and Konica was forced to delete the silent.
Personally, I prefer the original Hexar to the subsequent Hexars:

The very silent "stealth" film advance option is fantastic.
The original Hexar is likely to be less expensive on the used market than later variants, while black is frequently a more desirable color. I have no confirmation, but I suspect that more original Hexars were produced than later variants, making it simpler to locate one.

The dark finish of the first Hexar is much more in line with the stealth capability of Silent mode film advancement; yet, I don't really like the "flashiness" of the later Hexars.

For only $30, Konica will upgrade the original Hexar to all later Hexar capabilities except auto-bracketing.
I'm not a big fan of the AutoDate's basic data backup functions.

Hexar's Forgotten Commands

Many Hexar AF functions are unreachable unless you know the secret unlabeled commands. It's similar to having a secret password or handshake. Woe betide you if you purchase a used Hexar without an instruction manual. Woe betide you if you buy a used Hexar with an instruction booklet, given how terribly it's written. The designers must have had a good time disguising the functions by not labeling the controls — "Oh huh, well look at this, I can do even better, they won't be able to figure this one out even if they have the instruction booklet...HA HA HA HA." This section is not intended to cover all of the commands, only the hidden ones that I am aware of. Take a photography class if you don't know what the "P, A, or M" on the Hexar's top plate mean.

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Take note of the metering and AF sensors in the typical self-timer position, as well as the built-in hand grip.

"Stealth" silent film advance: this is a genuine issue because it is so critical, but the controls are COMPLETELY UNLABELED!! 1) Turn off the camera 2) Press and hold the "MF" button 3) Turn on the camera to any setting 4) Continue holding down the MF button until a "L" for Low Sound shows on the left side of the LCD panel 5) Depress the MF button and shoot in all exposure modes silently. 6) Stealth film advance works on all camera modes until you switch the camera off, which returns the camera to normal advance.

4 Degree SPOT Metering Spot metering is only available when the camera is set to "M" manual exposure mode. The aperture is adjusted with the big aperture, and the shutter speed is adjusted with the + / - buttons, in accordance with the red + - LEDs in the viewfinder.

Infinity Lock: If you've ever used a screw mount Leica, you're familiar with infinity locks. This allows you to swiftly take photos by locking the lens focus at infinity. At lesser apertures, this 35mm lens will focus on almost everything. 1) Turn on the camera; 2) Press the "MF" button until a "999" appears in the LCD monitor. In all exposure modes, your camera is now set to infinity. 3) It will remain locked on infinity until you press the "MF" button again and see a "AF" for Autofocus in the LCD window, or until you turn off the camera, which will reset the Hexar to AF when you turn it on again.
Focus Lock Distance: 1) use AF to focus 2) Half-press the shutter release. 3) Press the MF button to lock focus at that distance, which will be displayed on the LCD monitor. 4) The focus will remain locked until you hit the "MF" button again or switch off the camera.

Manually Set the Film Speed: 1) Switch the camera to "A" mode. 2) Hold down the "Select" button until the ISO film speed appears in the LCD panel. 3) To select film speed, use the unlabeled + / - buttons adjacent to the aperture dial.
Not all of the secret commands are listed here, as experienced Hexarians will notice. There's a reason for this: I haven't yet successfully deciphered the #@%* instruction book!

Some less well-known Hexar AF features:
When you turn off the camera, it immediately switches from silent to ordinary advance mode.
After you turn off the camera, it automatically resets the filter or film compensation.
If you do not use DX film, the camera will automatically reset the film ISO every time you reload.
1/250th Maximum Speed