Hexar AF Titanium

infrequent · 12-01-2007

Just bought a Hexar AF on evilbay the other day. I have heard many good things about it especially the lens but what are your personal experiences of the camera? Any tips / ideas for beginners would be wonderful. I will be mostly using it for street shooting and available light photography. Also, the model I bought says titanium. Is this some special edition and anyone know if its any different to the older black models?

ClaremontPhoto · 12-01-2007

I understand it's the same as the black but a special edition.

Luigi (Leicatime in the ads to the left) sells this camera new old stock so he'll know.

There is a complicated procedure to program it to make it silent. You'll find the key presses on line.

A nice camera, and I'm tempted to get one myself. The build quality and the lens is said to be top rate.

Show your photos here when you're ready.

amateriat · 12-01-2007

Oh, that one's special, all right. But, other than checking out online info about invoking the "stealth" mode (the camera's pretty stealthy even without it), I suggest simply grabbing a handful of rolls of your favorite film and just taking a long walk with it. It's a great camera...just go out with it and take pictures. In time, the appropriate questions will come about on their own.

- Barrett

infrequent · 12-02-2007

About the only thing that worries is the 1/250 min shutter speed. I will mostly be using neopan 400 (rating it for diafine too) and worried that I will easily go past that when the lens is wide-open in daylight. What's the best way to counter this?

Flinor · 12-02-2007

I'd guess that the best way to cope with the shutter speed limitation would be ND filters, keeping in mind that the metering is not TTL so you will have to compensate.

I shot Kodachrome and then Velvia in mine so never ran up against that problem. I had Titanium S/N 46 preceded by a bunch of zeros and rue the day that I decided to sell it. It's a wonderful camera so enjoy yours.

mfunnell · 12-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by infrequent

About the only thing that worries is the 1/250 min shutter speed. I will mostly be using neopan 400 (rating it for diafine too) and worried that I will easily go past that when the lens is wide-open in daylight. What's the best way to counter this?

I find a 3-stop ND filter does quite nicely. I just have to remind myself to change the ISO setting without fail when I add/remove the filter. I find the 3 stops is about right for moving between indoors and outdoors with 400-ish film. In fact, I also have a 2-stop filter for using 100-200-ish film but thay may be overkill. Then again, I have a number of lenses with 46mm filter sizes so the ND filters have some more general utility to me.

...Mike

ampguy · 12-02-2007

I wouldn't use filters on this camera. The AF mechanism moves the lens beyond the filter ring threads, so unless you use their post-designed fix (washer/extender) or special filters, it's just too close IMHO.

sleepyhead · 12-03-2007

The Titanium has silent mode, just like the classic. It's the Silver model that lacks the silent mode.

mfunnell · 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampguy

I wouldn't use filters on this camera. The AF mechanism moves the lens beyond the filter ring threads, so unless you use their post-designed fix (washer/extender) or special filters, it's just too close IMHO.

I just checked: "regular" Schneider (B+W) filters seem OK (or, at least, both of mine do). It might be worthwile avoiding "thin" filters.

...Mike

Gabriel M.A. · 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by infrequent

Just bought a Hexar AF on evilbay the other day.

Whoops. You posted this in the sub-subcategory forum "Leica M -- Konica RF".

I believe what you meant to use was the "Other RF" (although you rightly assumed this thread due to the "Konica RF" designation

The Konica Hexar AF, although a rangefinder, is not the Hexar RF.

Just thought I'd point that out to you; in case somebody would want to look for any Konica Hexar AF related threads...

ferider · 12-03-2007

Great camera, and the Titanium version normally fetches premiums.

I use an ND8 regularly as well. ND4 has less impact on the colors.

On the other hand it's real easy to change film mid-roll with the Hexar,
easier than with a Leica for sure ...

Enjoy !

Roland.

kuvvy · 12-03-2007

You may be interested to know that next issue of Amateur Photographer (UK) magazine (on sale 11 Dec 07) has photo expert Ivor Matanle discussing the Hexar AF, described as 'one of the best fixed-lens electronic cameras ever made'.
My own is the silver version and has had the stealth mode activated. Also has a B+W filter fitted and has never caused a problem.
There is also a Hexar Users group which may interest you at http://www.flickr.com/groups/hexar

ClaremontPhoto · 12-03-2007

The Wikipedia entries for the Hexar AF and Hexar RF seem to describe them well.

infrequent · 12-03-2007

Can you guys recommend any particular b+w or nd filters? I understand that the filter thread is 46mm.

Also, I posted in this forum because I understand its the only one for the Hexars. I figured it was close enough. I would be happy if the admins move it to somewhere else more appropriate. Cheers!

infrequent · 12-03-2007

@kummy - love the AP but my library only carries back issues. i will prolly get to the dec issue in june 2008! will keep an eye in book shops.

mfunnell · 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by infrequent

Can you guys recommend any particular b+w or nd filters?

B+W is a brand name used by Schneider-Kreuznach (Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH) for their photographic filters. I like their multi-coated (aka MRC) neutral density filters (and their circular polarisers for SLR lenses). Hoya is another big brand name in the filter department (but, as noted in an earlier post, it might be wise to avoid their thin/slimline filters if you want to leave room for lens movement during autofocus).

...Mike

Alex Krasotkin · 12-12-2007

I own silver Hexar AF. It is truly a great camera. I have made lots of nice pictures with it!

flip · 10-28-2010

Back from the dead....
I just got a Titanium AF to match my LTD Hex RF. :-D
As if to spite me, a piece broke immediately, but that's what glue is for. :-) I suspect that the wonky controls may drive me a bit nutty, but there are some things that this camera just makes so easy. And I'll look less nutty when I take a picture on a date.

dogbunny · 10-28-2010

I have a Titanium as well. The controls aren't really intuitive, but It was pretty easy for me to memorize the button pushes for the controls I use: silent mode, focus lock, timer and exposure compensation. The silent mode is just hold down the MF button while turning on the camera and an L will appear on the screen.

This was my first "quality camera" so I'm definitely attached to it.