Konica Hexar AF - Silent Mode with Expired Fuji C200

[@sebsus]

I've been using the Hexar AF for two years now(40rolls or film or sth like that). It will be a very good camera, if you know what you want. It's quiet, it has a stellar fast O(1) active infrared autofocus which let's you focus at night and take pictures e.g. with the flash(good for parties and friends). It is full of complex features and comes with a very useful program mode as the video describes it. The Battery lasts forever, huge bright viefinder not as clear as the BESSA R or Leica M tho but almost. Manual focus is very inconvenient and different compared to other cameras, but i'll never use it. There is nonetheless a very handy infinity-lock button to prevent focus errors. The Internet claims that the lens might be similar to the Summicron but it's definitly not a copy(Wikipedia). There will be more and good reviews and instructions on how to use the hidden features of this camera, if you look carefully enough for them on the internet. I bought the Hexar AF mainly because it's very easy to use(even my friends can handle it) and for it's precise auto focus.

[@AaronFleming]

That's great to hear! It truly is a great camera! Since this video I have also bought a 120th anniversary gold edition that is completely unused and it came with the original manual and a little card which cleared up any questions I had about the features

[@acidsnow5915]

what a great video! the konica hexar AF looks amazing and that expired film is dope :O thanks for sharing this great content with us! really enjoyed watching this

[@AaronFleming]

Thank you very much! It's an awesome camera and I'm definitely going to be using it a lot more

[@stacker62]

It's funny you mention shooting the Hexar on Grafton street and ran into another Hexar user. I was shooting on Grafton street with an original Hexar back in 1996. I just bought it brand new for my trip to Ireland, and all of my best shots were from that camera.

[@AaronFleming]

That's an awesome story! Yeah it was fairly funny, it was my first time shooting the camera. I've never met another person shooting and of my other main cameras (contax T2, contax G1) on the street or on my travels

[@cbra736]

Showing the silent mode with music in the background does not make a lot of sense :)))

[@randallstewart175]

When I bought my Contax T2 years ago, I considered the Hexar and another camera. The Hexar has the better lens, the quiet advance mode and several other high-tech features compared to the T2. I choose the T2 because it was a bit smaller and had a retracting lens, making it pocketable where the Hexar is not. At the time, prices were comparable. The lack of built-in flash in the Hexar was not a negative factor for me. I considered the Hexar's limited fast shutter speed (1/250) as a negative at the time, but I would not now (how often do you really use 1/500). I also prefer the longer focal length of the T2 lens (38mm) versus the Hexar (35mm); doesn't seem like a significant difference, but it is. Comparing a Contax G1 didn't occur to me than, and doesn't now. It's bigger, heavier, takes interchangeable lenses. If you use a G1 with just a 35mm lens, then several fixed lens cameras are probably preferable.

[@AaronFleming]

Before I bought the Hexar I actually bought the Hexar I thought it would be about the same size as the T2 seeing as it was a fixed lens camera and pictures made it look small. The thing that amazed me is that it's actually heavier than my contax G1 with the 45mm f2 which means this camera is in a weird position in my bag as it's biggest benefit is not size or weight but rather just the quietness. The camera is also bigger than the G1 with the 45mm lens too.

[@steverosenblum823]

Nice video. One suggestion. I find the background music distracting. It doesn’t add anything but it does make it harder for me to concentrate on what you are saying. I probably will buy the Hexar. Cheers and happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

[@azrup]

Hello! I know the video is old, but I'm still trying. I saw that the camera has a filter attached to the lens. I don't know what filter it has, but can you tell me if it ever got stuck? (Error EEE) Or if it has that spacer ring offered for free at that time by Konica? Thank you!

[@LC-nd9hv]

Do you have an ND filter for this?

[@photobobo]

It is most definitely NOT a Summicron copy, it WAS modeled after the Nikkor 35/1.8 W. Recomputed to make room for the leaf shutter. The image quality is however, very much like the Summicron. Maybe a little better in some respects, certainly in cost.

[@pothos89]

Not that it really matters, but the lens on the Hexar is not a Summicron copy. I don't know who started this rumour but it is false. That being said the lens is EXCELLENT. It's a really cool albeit quirky camera. I have got some of my best photos out of it. Nice video.

[@80-80.]

Great video (it starts at 1:17)

[@sesioramadhan5137]

you deserve 100k subs

[@AaronFleming]

Haha thanks, I appreciate that!

[@keyboardwarrior6890]

I Wish i knew this Cam exist bevor buy my Leica M4 haha it would saved me a lot of Money, but i was in the leica rabbit hole Back then 😅

[@MrGilramosjr]

hope you make another vid with this camera soon

[@AaronFleming]

I hope to soon

[@jonatascd_]

nice video - the photo at 10:06 is good huh! nice for a C200. now, about the camera, do you still own it and use it? I have a Lieca mini II and it's really good, but sometimes I wished I could countrol a bit more and keep the point and shoot gist of it. again, good video, gave the info I needed about the camera

[@pofty]

AF or the T2?

[@dennislam8102]

chose between Contax TVSIII and AF.Based in the weight, i chose Contax on ebay.The silent mode on AF is gorgeous.hope you can review T2/3. Where did you buy the G1 viewfinder？

[@AaronFleming]

I actually had 4 contax t2s but recently sold one of them, I really like them but for street I do think that the AF wins. I've two videos of the T2 up already if you want to check them out. I bought it with the 21mm lens

[@123oner2]

@@AaronFleming Four, share the wealth man

[@BrettFosterDotNet]

man i have longed for a hexar since the 90s lol! The focus looks spot on in all your shots. did you find that to be the norm? I find 80s and 90 af to be generally bad.

[@devtank]

Great machine. Its the lens. Next you have to try and find a Fujifilm Natura and if you've money to burn a Klasse.

[@AaronFleming]

Thanks for the tip! Will try get my hands on them at some stage

[@tomallen6073]

Why not just use your iPhone for street?

[@MrSodaBelly]

Can’t decide between this or a Nikon35ti!!! So it’s 1/250th for shutterspeed & if I shoot iso 400 - 1600film I won’t get good shots?! Even if I leave it in AutoMode?! So you’re telling me the Nikon35ti & yashica T4 can shoot iso 400-1600 film and the hexar CANT?! How is that possible?! IM LOST! I thought point and shoots can shoot all films? I am lost! Someone explain! Cuz i googles konica hexar portra 400 & those shots look fine.

[@AaronFleming]

So with the Konica it will automatically close down the aperture to compensate if you're in auto. That said you can still only do max 1/500 shutter speed on a contax t2, Nikon 35ti etc.

[@Ruylopez778]

The 1/250th maximum shutter speed is seen as a limitation, particularly for people used to faster shutter speeds on a SLR/DSLR. It's only going to be a problem if you want a wide aperture (want shallow depth of field/bokeh) in bright sunlight. If you're shooting colour film, it probably has latitude to overexpose so no big deal. Usually with B&W people want to maintain detail in the shadows. A common work around is to have a ND filter for the lens if you're in bright sunlight and want to shoot 1600 ISO or wide aperture, like f2, f4. But, the camera does NOT meter through the lens, so you need to use manual mode if you want total control in that situation. Unless using slide film, you have a couple of stops of under/over exposure that can easily be corrected in post. Portra for example has plenty of latitude. Think of this camera as best suited to low light situations (evening/night/indoors). If you want to shoot at 1600 in bright sunlight you might find it's a bit overexposed unless using a filter. In my experience, the program mode works perfectly in most conditions. DigitalRev also has a great video about this camera. Also 'rangefinder forum' has a thread on this camera with lots of info and sample shots.

[@rbrettparsons]

that contax shutter is perhapst the worst shutter sound ever. the hexar ftw.

[@doozledumbler5393]

This but the opposite.

[@shoumenyuan]

Anybody have shutter button issue with this camera?

[@AaronFleming]

I think sometimes if I don't press it hard enough it will autofocus but not take a picture immediately. Haven't had this happen in a long time though!

[@Ruylopez778]

I had one like that, which would sometimes fail. I owned two. The contacts on the internal button mechanism need to be cleaned, that's all. It's probably nothing serious. You can find the steps to DIY clean it online - there's even a YT video I think. Doesn't look too difficult. I guess any competent film camera repair shop could easily do it.

[@dennislam8102]

try Minolta TC-1！

[@AaronFleming]

I'm a bit broke at the moment but probably will at some stage. I was watching one on eBay until a few minutes ago but it went for a lot more than I would have paid for it

[@rubykirwan9694]

Hi aaron

[@AaronFleming]

Ruby Kirwan hey Ruby

[@rubykirwan9694]

Hi !!!!

[@SimonRobeyns]

nice review though i'm not too impressed with the results in the end

[@AaronFleming]

To be honest neither was I as it was expired fuji c200 on a dark day in Ireland which isn't a great combo to begin with

[@81springbrook96]

Love your video s! Sexy camera btw

[@jokesNgiggles]

I liked the video but i think you go through the photos way to fast. i ended up just not looking at them and dont feel like sitting here having to pause every photo. yeah i know you can just call me lazy but it's just how i felt.

[@sursaaaaa]

you are the first video in youtube search.... why ?