does anything rival the hexar af lens wide open?

ampguy · 11-24-2007

it's nice to have one again, here is my first roll through my 2nd hexar af, all wide open at F2 with Realia 100 (expired) film:

http://matsumura.smugmug.com/gallery/3883095#225065655

ferider · 11-24-2007

Very nice, Ted. Like the shot of you in the mirror

The AF lens is comparable to the best 35/2 M mount lenses, IMO.

The variable framelines and .6m min distance make it a pleasure to use.

Best,

Roland.

ampguy · 11-24-2007

This lens never fails to amaze me. If the camera had a rotary dial for EV comp instead of the menus and all, I'd probably be done ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferider

Very nice, Ted. Like the shot of you in the mirror

The AF lens is comparable to the best 35/2 M mount lenses, IMO.

The variable framelines and .6m min distance make it a pleasure to use.

Best,

Roland.

venchka · 11-24-2007

I have some Kodachrome and some Velvia and the Hexar AF len's cousin. We shall see. I must warn you: I can make bad pictures with the best equipment.

I'm game. Wide open. Up close and personal.

ampguy · 11-24-2007

I presume you have a W-Nikkor 35? or something very close?

In any case, you will have an advantage in true manual focus where you can say focus on ears or noses, while the Hexar AF, generally capable of outfocusing my fingers, sort of aims at heads, or whatever can be centered in the AF viewfinder, so up close at .6m @ f2 could provide some hits and misses.

However, I'd be very interested in seeing what you can do wide open and close, and I'll try the same with the AF.

I'm not sure where to get Velvia film, or have it developed. Does Rays film lab do that stuff??

Quote:

Originally Posted by venchka

I have some Kodachrome and some Velvia and the Hexar AF len's cousin. We shall see. I must warn you: I can make bad pictures with the best equipment.

I'm game. Wide open. Up close and personal.

venchka · 11-24-2007

No worries about the film. I'm very partial to Reala. All I have right now is 120. If I can find some I would like to try it. I've also used Fuji NPS. It's good. I only have it in 120 also.

My lens is a much closer relative than the Nikkor. It's the 35mm UC-Hexanon. Maybe even a twin. Mine only focuses 1 meter. Up close is 1-2 meters. Wide open - 1:2.0 - for sure.

venchka · 11-24-2007

One more question: You have perfect color balance in that store. How do you do it? Photoshop? The original scans are that color? I never get good color balance in stores and I have tried.

ampguy · 11-24-2007

Yes, it is yours, I received it yesterday, and it was packed well, and functions perfectly so far. Thanks very much, you're a great seller and it takes great photos and works perfect so far.

The cosmetic things are minor, and also thanks for what looks like a new unused Konica strap, I wasn't even expecting that!

Ted

Quote:

Originally Posted by endustry

Is this the Hexar I sold you, Ted? I hadn't checked the tracking number but if it is, I'm surprised it reached you so quickly over the holiday week.

ampguy · 11-24-2007

It was just luck, or the combo of the Realia and the kit. These images didn't need any post processing from the Costco scans.

That's what I like about film, or at least negative print film, it's much easier to get natural colors than indoors with digital where the white balance has to be checked, or you have to shoot in RAW and fix later.

Sometimes I get off colors indoors, but not consistently, so I think a factor is the budget developers (Longs, Costco) that I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by venchka

One more question: You have perfect color balance in that store. How do you do it? Photoshop? The original scans are that color? I never get good color balance in stores and I have tried.

venchka · 11-24-2007

I need to have good luck like that. I should get some 135 Reala.

Keith · 11-24-2007

These Hexar AF's appear to be quite a camera ... those shots are very nice and I read that the lens is comparable to a Summicron. I've just had a browse through Stephen's opinion of the camera on Cameraquest's site. http://www.cameraquest.com/konhex.htm

My Hexar RF impresses me totally and I could see one of these gracing it's company at some stage in the future!

wlewisiii · 11-24-2007

Reala & a one-hour shop with a Fuji (surprise!!!) Frontier machine will get you that. It's my favorite C-41 combination. If you get prints make sure they use Fuji paper as well - the Kodak stuff isn't bad by any means but the machine certainly seems to be balanced towards their own...

William

jmilkins · 11-24-2007

It is a gem. I used mine in it's element today for a baptism. Hp5 and some Fuji 800 colour.

It was kinda cool using the silent mode and available darkness while all the digitals were nukin' away.

The priest had a good sense of humour : "As far as photography goes, I have shares in Kodak and Fuji so blaze away! Just don't get between me and the kid - you might end up with baptism oil on in your camera and have to replace it...but then that's all good for my stocks."