VERY Silent & smooth operation
Stylish
Decent lens

Lens not contrasty
Poor flash performance
Clunky lens cap & hood

I bought this so I have something to use while I'm having my SLR serviced. But was I disappointed when I got my prints back from my local pro lab! Indeed, the lens is sharp, but the contrast wasn't quite up to my expectations...and to think I used Fuji Reala. And the flash performance was poor: I had ghosts on a lot of my pictures (the subject was posed/steady); i've NEVER had this problem on my SLR even on 1/60s flash sync HAND-HELD with lenses greater than 35mm...

Bottom line, the camera performance was very disappointing, considering that it costs this much! I returned the camera.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Great lens, autofocus and viewfinder. I find the 35mm/f2 combination extremely versatile, and the lens is quite sharp. I have the original model, Autodate version. In Program mode (which I use essentially all the time because it has the anti-shake slow speed limit feature), the camera is exceptionally quick to use, once you've gotten the settings adjusted. See the Weaknesses section for a discussion about that. Having the ability to mount filters is also great, but see the Weaknesses section on that subject too.

The camera is beautifully made -- top quality materials.

This is a most frustrating camera. Having only a 1/250th top shutter speed is simply inadequate -- how do you do "street photography" (which many of the other reviewers list as a main use for their Hexars) or available light photography using slow film? My standard black and white films are T400CN and XP2 -- I love the super fine grain of these films, especially the Kodak. Fortunately, these are both extremely forgiving of overexposure, which a 400 speed film needs to be if it's used in the Hexar.

Shooting with black and white means using a yellow or other b&w filter, which on the Hexar you have to compensate for by using the exposure compensation button, because the metering is not through the lens (or even inside the filter ring, as it is on the Canonet). I could live with that if I were able to set the exposure compensation and it would stay set -- but no, every time you turn off the camera you have to reset it! Maybe others leave their cameras on while walking around, but I don't. A mechanical setting of the exposure compensation, like the GR1 has, would be ideal.

Flash photography is also well short of optimal: While the X14 flash unit isn't strong, it will get the job done OK for me. But the real problem (which you won't find discussed in any of the manuals) is that flash synch in Program mode is the anti-shake slow shutter speed limit you set. And the highest shutter speed you can set for that is only 1/60, which is still slow enough to result in ghosting if there's any movement in the frame and there's ambient light. Perhaps a more powerful flash unit can minimize this, and I have not yet sent the camera back to Konica for the software upgrade that permits use of other flash units, but better would be a flash synch speed of 1/125. I thought one of the advantages of a leaf shutter was flash synch at all shutter speeds! But Konica has negated that advantage.

Many folks talk about how quiet the camera is, especially in silent mode. This is a red herring. The shutter is indeed absolutely quiet, but the motor film advance is still audible, even in the silent mode. A good old fashioned film advance/shutter cocking lever like on the Canonet or any Leica, remains the quietest of all. In normal mode, the Hexar is still louder than the T4, which has a low-pitched whir that's harder to hear than the Hexar's, even on rewind.

Finally, the secondary settings are of the "hold button down while turning camera on" variety -- very clumsy. And remembering which sequence does what takes a fair amount of doing. Konica includes in the instructions a laminated quick reference card, which is nice, but less desireable than having a logically set up camera in the first place. A camera like the GR1 is a great example of one that has many flexible features and which for the most part the user can figure out without referring to any manual.

Great results can be obtained from this camera, and for the price, you get a lot -- it is a great value. Think about it -- you can buy this whole camera for the cost of the 35/2 Zeiss lens for the Contax G1 or G2, and three of these for the cost of the Leica 35/2. You will not be disappointed in any way by the photos you take with the camera; the image quality is first-rate. But it's simply not user friendly, and has unnecessary limitations. Other cameras are better compromises of features and price.

Customer Service

Very helpful and friendly when I've spoken with them.

Similar Products Used:

Canonet QL17 GIII
Ricoh GR1
Yashica T4 Super

quiet
black
ample controls
professional class 'compact'

Is anything perfect?-The Hexar is so unique as it is, I cannot fault it.

I have the original black Hexar and find that it is one of the most unique non-slr cameras. This is not a point and shoot by its own definition. If you put all the statistics down on paper- center weighted metering, f2.0 lens, and ample exposure adjustments- you would think that this is the classic SLR body with a prime lens and I find that it is exactly what it is... except, you don't get mirror slap and add on AF. The functions of the Hexar exactly mirror what I intended to use my black Nikon FE with 50mm f1.8 lens for- street photography, until I realized that people instantly recognize SLRs and mirror slap from any walk of life. Also, the time consumed manually focussing the lens often meant a missed shot or at the very least a ruined shot. Most point and shoot compacts are risky- they are often noisy (although, the new ones are getting quieter), you have no control of aperature, and you never know if you really turned off the auto flash(very risky). The Hexar is quiet enough on the street to not be heard and in silent mode, cannot be easily heard in street cars, nor in metropolitan museums and libraries. Even though this may seem like the perfect machine, operation is not a simple point and shoot process. The standard metering is centerweighted, something that most AF matrix metering users of today may have trouble with. There is no automatic backlight control nor multipoint AF. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to compensate the exposure. The lens is sharp, but you cannot measure a camera by saying if a lens is sharp or not- most decent lenses are sharp. The resulting images are sharp, but have that very clean, smooth look that are more in line with German lenses which I have used than with Japanese lenses. Some top end Japanese lenses have a razor edge look which gives images an edgy sharpness. The Hexar lens is sharp, but has smoothness that is indescribable. If you take a great shot with it, the smoothness makes you look like a pro. The aperature blades are cut so that the resulting aperture is always round. This makes a tremendous difference in out of DOF areas of the images- they are completely smooth with no jiggly lines. I routinely take pictures from the window of my moving car and the blurred (using wide aperature) background is painted very smoothly on film. The shutter release is more SLR than P&S, but has a strange feel to it. It is very sensitive initially (to set the focus and then to lock the exposure), but then you have to push 3x the distance to release the shutter. Since the lens focusses when you first touch the button, sometimes I mistake it for taking a shot (the shutter/advance is that quiet). This is not a beginners camera by any means and takes quite a bit of knowledge of photography to be able to use it effectively. I find that it can do things that no other camera I have because of the level control and unique features. As of right now, this model is very rare and the sole feature, silent mode, makes it invaluable. I purchased mine used after using most every kind of compact, so I can say that it is a pretty good value. This camera is not for everyone- it gives you control, but when you understand how to use it, the camera actually helps you achieve what you want.

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None

specialized camera
optimized for available light
P mode thinks
contoured grip
quiet, but not silent
not a formal group camera

heavy
no flash

this is a specialized camera- it is optimized for available light photography- which is why it doesn't have an on camera flash. i've lost the external flash so i don't even use one. i sometimes would like to use a flash, but then that defeats the purpose of this camera- it makes me look for candid, unplanned opportunties. people who pose for pictures will hate this camera- they don't know when you took the shot, even in normal mode. it is very quiet- in silent mode you can leave the shutter button down to delay film advance until you can stick the camera where the sun doesn't shine. i have plenty of great shots in libraries, museums, and of course the street without much notice. my nikon gear would be way overkill (but in a different arena more capable). i even took shots inside a casino and no one even noticed- even while i was handholding the camera the whole time. night time street shots are incredible- the lens is spectacular- i believe that this is an above average prime lens,which makes it already more contrasty and perfect than most any consumer zoom slr lens. some night shots are so good, i don't know why people don't take more shots at night- probably because they're using a honking slr system with giganto flash or an auto point and shoot that will shoot everything at wide open where most things are blurry. the round aperature makes for only round, smooth highlights- no star shapes, normally. images are so clean and smooth, enlargements make me look good! usability is very good although in the viewfinder speed would be nice- although some shots i don't even look, just snap. i use a clear filter all the time so that i don't need a lens cap- i just throw it into a bag and go- no straps, just camera. even when people spot the camera, they don't hear me using it- it is both unassuming and silent, but so capable a tool. for those who love their rollei 35s, this almost (almost!) is the autofocus equivalent- high quality build, stealth, super beautiful lens quality. it is also much, much more consistent as a picture taker.

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None

Great lens, quiet, build quality.

Finicky controls.

Extremely good value for the price. I bought it because I couldn't afford a Leica and was blown away by the lens. Two years later I bought the Leica (M3 with 3 lenses), but had to trade in the Hexar to do so. Wouldn't part with the Leica for anything, but consider getting rid of the Hexar to be the worst photo trade I've done. There are things it can do, grab shot wise that even the Leica can't.
To the people that b***h about the flash, it starts clearly that on program it still allows the shutter to choose a slow speed. It's called fill flash boys!!!! Easily cured by switching to manual. (why don't people read the instructions?!)

Customer Service

Excellent PLUS. Had a problem with the close focus, explained to Konica Canada that I needed the camera for a project. I sent it to their repair facility (2500 mi away) on a Monday and I had it back on Thursday.

Similar Products Used:

Various p/s cameras, Leica.

AF
Fast lens
tough

somewhat big
almost nonreplaceable

A superb camera with a wonderful lens. Being AF, it can do things most other cameras can't and can do it quieter. The lens has superb detail gathering qualities. The metering system seems optimized for more film saturation as my regular films seem to look much more saturated and with greater detail- especially in the shady areas. For night time duties, with no flash, the Hexar is my favorite camera. Armed with 100 speed film, you can still take almost anything- due to the lens and the very smart program. Shots of cafes and indoor activities are incredibly striking because a "normal" camera could not even begin to take those pictures. The silent mode does its job, but the camera is already pretty silent for most indoor activities. You can hear the camera, but it seems like it is part of the normal auditory background noise. As a bright light daytime camera, it is sharp and contrasty, but use 100 speed or less because the max speed is 1/500. The more I use this camera, the better my pictures come out because it lets me take more interesting shots in more interesting locations. In comparison, my Olympus Epic might be a tiny, tiny bit sharper, but not controllable by a far margin. My Nikon FE is controllable, but manual focus and loud mirror slap gives it away every time. My Nikon SLR system is superb, but is most times very obtrusive and better served for assignments. Maybe the Hexar RF would be perfect or a G2 with 45mm or 21mm would supplement the Hexar. I am glad I found this camera before I started to play around with the other luxocompacts because this the the closest thing to a silent, AF, black Nikon FE- which is nearly perfect.

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None

Amazing lens, great feel, light and compact.

No shutter or F-Stop information in viewfinder, can't use standard cable release.

Great camera. I am amazed at the quality of the photos it takes. It is small and light but with a very nice feel to it. Ideal travel camera when you dont want to lug around the SLR. Wish it had information in the viewfinder and it would be nice to use a standard cable relase, but otherwise, if you cant afford a Leica, get one of these. I put on a 46mm UV filter and got a cheap plastic snap on lens cap, the stock aluminum cap is easy to lose and I hear very expensive.

Similar Products Used:

Canonet, Contax G1

AF
35 F2.0
noise blends in with enviornment

becoming 'rare'/collectable

The lens on this compact is incredible! The tones are excellent and although MTF numbers are only 70iesish, enlargements are easily made. Excellent bokeh. This is the perfect street camera- nobody ever knows that I am constantly scouting about taking shots. AF ability is so useful because sometimes you can't hold the camera up to your eyes to give yourself away. THe program mode is very smart and choose the most appropriate aperature based on available light. Classic centerweighted metering is very predictable. A true thinking man's camera that is all high quality and lens quality. It even has a built in lens hood. I consider it my 35mm F2.0 prime lens that complements my Nikon body+zooms and it is that good. MTF numbers do not tell how an image looks. I have the Black Silent Mode camera (very silent-I use it in museums, galleries,theatre,weddings). THese babies are getting very expensive as they are getting very rare. This is by far my favorite camera and has taken some of my best photos of late.

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None

I love this cam.it is a great thing to hold in your hands...the vieuwfinder is very bright..the rubberished finnisg feels nice.good grip & the exxelent lens produces very sharp images

none

3 months ago I purchased a Nikon FM2,85/1.8,-24/2.8-,60micro/2.8,50/1.8..because I wanted more flexebilety with different lenses....up til now the images made with my HEXAR surpass those made with my Nikon stuff...(i'am gald to own though)..and afterall the FM does'nt have AF...so I keep on practicing....but with my Hexar in my pocket.(.a big lump thoug...I have got a magnificent piece ever ready to use...Thinking of buying another one to leave on the shelf for when this one is ' used & wasted ' it feels solid enough to last some years though..

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

None

Sharp
F2.0
Lovely stealth mode
Reliable

Plastic feel at the camera back
Already discontinued by Konica
Doesn't fit into your pocket
Not cheap, even used

This is a very special camera, if you need zoom, if you need a point and shoot to fit into your shirt pocket, if you like a camera to be looked sophisidicated, if you want to change lens.... do NOT buy this camera
But it fits my purposes perfectly. I like 35mm lens perspective for mainly landscape and sometimes portrait, I like a smaller camera when I do not want to carry my EOS 1, I like the image from Hexar (alsolutely no compromise on picture quality for its size), I like the classic look of the camera (which does not attract thief), I like the bright viewfinder (although it is not rangefinder), and I like the flexibility offered by F2.0
Well, I believe this camera is a matter of taste, do consider the shortcoming before you buy it.

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Fuji Super Mini 28mm 3.5
Canon point and shoot
Canon SLR (1 body + 2 L lens + 1 EF lens)