Konica Minolta Hexar Rangefinders
Konica Minolta Hexar Rangefinders
[Mar 24, 2000]
Art Salmons
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
Hexar
Strength:
Camera with a terrific lens, ease of use, and great rangefinder. I use this as a street camera and it takes great pictures.
Weakness:
250 top shutter speed and the flash unit is under powered. The autofocus is a big help on this camera as focusing is quick and sure. the lens is very sharp and produces images with great color and contrast. I love how quiet the camera is and how people feel relaxed around you when you use it verses when I have a large SLR and 3 pound L lens. Customer Service none required so far Similar Products Used: Konica S2 |
[Mar 01, 2000]
Bob Todrick
Expert
Model Reviewed:
Hexar
Strength:
Excellent lens. Small and unobtrusive. In some situation the A/F is a godsend.
Weakness:
I use my cameras a lot. After 2.5 years of use my Hexar was noticeable noisier and 'looser' than when new. After 40 years my Leica IIIg still feels new. At the price, if you can live with the 35mm lens, it is probably one of the best buys in photography! Customer Service Very good. Similar Products Used: Leica M4, Leica CL, Leica IIIg |
[Feb 05, 2000]
Alan Macdonald
Professional
Model Reviewed:
Hexar
Strength:
Fast high-resolution lens
Weakness:
None At Aus$500 (US$350 approx.) for a mint condition second-hand kit, the Hexar is probably the best kept secret in professional rangefinder photography! Customer Service ? Similar Products Used: Leica M6 |
[Dec 23, 1999]
Vincent Tjon Pian Gi
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
Hexar
Strength:
It´s small and excellent for use with black ´n white films. I use it a lot when travelling. It´s realively small and easy to use.
Weakness:
Indeed the close up picture´s are a pain. It´s a good buy for demanding and traveling people. Similar Products Used: Former camera: Minolta X-700 |
[Dec 22, 1999]
G. G. Allen
Professional
Model Reviewed:
Hexar
Strength:
Silent operation; fantastic lens; well-finished body; very durable
Weakness:
Buttons are small, but who cares--they work. The Hexar (I have the Black original version, with silent mode) is a very discrete, silent camera with a very sharp and contrasty lens. It is not an exaggeration to think of the Hexar as a modern silent auto-focusing Leica. I use mine for street shooting and just plain wandering around. Very nice viewfinder--unlike the G2. Customer Service Very fast service--they sent me the filter adapter rings in 2 days as requested. Similar Products Used: Contax G2, Rollei QZ |
[Oct 10, 2000]
Nathan Wong
Professional
Strength:
The lens is as sharp as a tack. The ability to use filters is a real plus and it is one of the reasons why it surpasses regular point and shoots if used in that mode. The ability to switch between a P&S, Aperture priority or full manual is a huge plus. Silent mode on the original model is second to none. I just wish Konica paid off the people who own the patent and make newer models with silent mode.
Weakness:
None This has been one of the best purchases I've ever made in photographic equipment. It's worked well for me over the years and it still acts and feels new. One of the best cameras I've ever bought. I've owned it for over 3 years and it's actually my primary camera and I own Nikons and Hasselblads. Some of my best pictures have been taken with the camera mainly because it's silent and unobtrusive and the fact that it's with me so often. Silent mode is THE BEST and nobody knows you're taking pictures. It also looks like an amature camera so nobody really pays much attention to you. Customer Service Well...I've actually had to use them quite a few times mainly because the camera would stop working for some reason. The last time it went in was last year. The tech insisted that the battery was dead. I couldn't believe it since it was a new battery. He said I could get about 7 rolls out of a new battery before it died. I didn't believe it. However, it's worked since it came back. Similar Products Used: Minolta HiMatic |
[Oct 10, 2000]
Mark Adam
Expert
Strength:
Superb Lens, Great "retro" look
Weakness:
Quirky controls Can't beat the Hexar for price/optics. great camera for street shooting and just carrying around. Retro look makes people think that it is old and not worth much (good for street shooting). I wholehearted reccommend this for people who want superb optics w/o the price of a Contax or Leica Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: Contax G2, Leica M |
[Oct 19, 2000]
Christian del Rosario
Professional
Strength:
Brilliant Optics
Weakness:
Even though it doesn't look expensive, it IS ( my Rhodium was one of the last available in the country when I bought it...almost a grand!!! But, after three+ yrs, it has prven to be SO worth it) This camera is pretty d*** sweet. It isn't for everyone, as it does take some getting used to. My two major gripes are the shutter buttons are too small (a dial would be nice), and the flash sync is too slow. However, everything else is just short of brilliant. The lens is phenomenal. Compared next to high-end leica 35mm, the Hexar holds it's own (maybe even better?)...it's that d*** good. Actually embarrasingly good considering it can be almost 1/6th the price of a similar Leica M setup (silver model). Aperture locks-in as you dial it so minimal lag-time as you shoot in A mode. Super parallax framing feature that also ties in to focus distance. manual focus a plus, but quirky (who knows the corellation between feet vs. AF steps???) IR correction a BIG plus (on rhodium, from what i understand other models can be re-programmed). Small and compact like a PS but has the heart of a true pro-level tool. There is just so many things to fall in love with this camera. They may not be evident right away, but after lenghty use, this camera grows on you. I always have it on me. But, the main feature that is a shame they did not include with the Silver model is the SILENT MODE. EXCELLENT feature. Not only can you snap away almost in near silence, you can actually pause film-winding by keeping the shutter depressed after the photo has been taken so you can further muffle the noise by inserting the camera in a jacket pocket. This is the kind detail that happens when passionate engineers/photographers get together and createa cult-status tool. I REALLY hope they further the AF series. The new interchangeable lens Hexar is cool, but the concept behind the AF Hexar is still pretty sweet. Customer Service Fine, nothing special, but not bad either. Similar Products Used: Leica M series, Contax G2 |
[Oct 23, 2000]
gil ogden
Casual
Strength:
THE BEST->35mm/2.0 Lens
Weakness:
"A faultfinder will find fault even in paradise." H.D.T. I have used the hexar silver in many types of situations and the performance has been remarkable. Camera is very intuitive after getting the feel for it. Highly recommended. In fact, I am currently looking for a used "silent" classic to use as a back-up. Definitely worth a look. Customer Service None Similar Products Used: Stands Alone |
[Oct 22, 2000]
Björn Stridh
Professional
Strength:
Small, relaible, quiet, fast handling, sharp optics, easy to use.
Weakness:
Nearly none, should be the not changeable lens Of all my cameras this is the best. For the price much more valuable than the leica. I had unfortnuneatly bought the leica before I found this great camera. However, the leica I can proberly use for all my life wich I doubt I canwith the Konica, but so what. Value rating belove should definetly be much more than these 5 stars. Customer Service Very good. Similar Products Used: Leica M6, Ricoh gr1, Nikon Fm2, F3, F100, F5. |