The

Konica was a Japanese manufacturer of, among other products, film, film cameras, camera accessories, photographic and photo-processing equipment, photocopiers, fax machines and laser printers, founded in 1873. The company merged with Japanese peer Mino ...

Hexar is a 35 mm fixed-

lens A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (''elements'') ...

, fixed

focal length The focal length of an Optics, optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or diverges light; it is the Multiplicative inverse, inverse of the system's optical power. A positive focal length indicates that a system Converge ...

autofocus An autofocus (AF) optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus on an automatically or manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system h ...

camera A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photograp ...

which was produced through the 1990s. It was introduced to the market in 1993. While styled like a

rangefinder camera A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder, typically a split-image rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus. Most v ...

, and intended for a similar style of photography, in specification it is more like a larger "point and shoot" camera. The Konica Hexar enjoys something of a "cult status" among film camera aficionados because of the quality of its lens,

rangefinder A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to Length measurement, measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, suc ...

-style ergonomics and interesting and useful operating modes (notably its "silent mode").

Lens

The camera is fitted with a 35mm fixed-

with

and with a large maximum

aperture In optics, the aperture of an optical system (including a system consisting of a single lens) is the hole or opening that primarily limits light propagated through the system. More specifically, the entrance pupil as the front side image o ...

of f2. The lens accepts lens

filters Filtration is a physical process that separates solid matter and fluid from a mixture. Filter, filtering, filters or filtration may also refer to: Science and technology Computing * Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming * Fil ...

of 46mm diameter (however, camera settings must be manually adjusted to compensate for any reduction in light transmission caused by the filter). A metal pull-out

lens hood In photography, a lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the front end of a photographic lens, lens to block the Sun or other light source(s) to prevent glare (vision), glare and lens flare. Lens hoods may also be used to protect the lens fr ...

surrounds the lens. The lens on the Hexar is considered to be of high quality for this type of camera and is often compared with other high-quality lenses such as those from

Leica Leica may refer to: Companies * Ernst Leitz GmbH, later divided into: ** Leica Biosystems GmbH, a cancer diagnostics company ** Leica Camera AG, a German camera and optics manufacturer ** Leica Geosystems AG, a Swiss manufacturer of surveying and ...

. It is often stated that the lens is a copy of the

Summicron 35mm f2 lens, although this does not appear to be the case. The source of this statement may be a pair of articles by Dante Stella where he states that photos taken with the Hexar have a similar "look" to those taken with a 35mm Summicron, but notes that the lens seems more similar to a

Nikon (, ; ) is a Japanese optics and photographic equipment manufacturer. Nikon's products include cameras, camera lenses, binoculars, microscopes, ophthalmic lenses, measurement instruments, rifle scopes, spotting scopes, and equipment related to S ...

35mm f1.8 lens design.

Viewfinder

The

viewfinder In photography, a viewfinder is a device on a camera that a photographer uses to determine exactly where the camera is pointed, and approximately how much of that view will be photographed. A viewfinder can be mechanical (indicating only direct ...

uses projected

parallax Parallax is a displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different sightline, lines of sight and is measured by the angle or half-angle of inclination between those two lines. Due to perspective (graphica ...

-corrected brightline framelines which shows the field of view to be captured when a

photograph A photograph (also known as a photo, or more generically referred to as an ''image'' or ''picture'') is an image created by light falling on a photosensitivity, photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor. Th ...

is taken. The centre of the viewfinder shows the point at which

will be attempted, and a lamp in the viewfinder indicates when

focus Focus (: foci or focuses) may refer to: Arts * Focus or Focus Festival, former name of the Adelaide Fringe arts festival in East Australia Film *Focus (2001 film), ''Focus'' (2001 film), a 2001 film based on the Arthur Miller novel *Focus (2015 ...

has been achieved. The viewfinder is located on the far upper left-hand side of the camera (when seen from the rear) in a position similar to that traditionally used for

Camera body

The Hexar is similar in form to a Leica M mount camera with equivalent lens and handgrip fitted. Construction is of cast-

aluminium Aluminium (or aluminum in North American English) is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Al and atomic number 13. It has a density lower than that of other common metals, about one-third that of steel. Aluminium has ...

, finished in flat black or silver (later model), with a raised plastic hand-grip. Controls are an

control dial with central shutter release button, power/mode selection switch and a series of six multi-function buttons located on the top right-hand side of the camera (when seen from the rear), along with a multi-function LCD display.

Film transport

The camera has a hinged, swing-open, camera back with cut-out view window to show details of the

film A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...

loaded in the

. Film loading, advance and rewind is motorised and automatic. A button to manually trigger film rewind is also provided. Film sensitivity can be detected via standard

DX encoding DX (Digital indeX) encoding is a standard for marking 35 mm and APS photographic film and film cartridges, originally introduced by Kodak in 1983. It includes multiple markings, which are a latent image barcode on the bottom edge of the f ...

or the

ISO The International Organization for Standardization (ISO ; ; ) is an independent, non-governmental, international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries. Me ...

value can be selected manually. Film is automatically advanced to the next frame (and the shutter cocked) after each shutter activation. When the end of a film is reached (or the manual rewind button pressed), the film is wound back into the film canister, with a brief pause to allow the film to be removed "leader out" if desired.

Silent Mode

One notable feature of the

Hexar is its "silent mode", which can be selected by a button on the camera top plate, when powering up. This enables a slower, but much quieter,

advance, shutter cocking and

. In normal operation the Hexar is very quiet. It is nearly inaudible at any distance from the camera in "silent" mode (

s, reputed to be very quiet, are not as quiet as the Hexar when in "silent mode".) In Hexar Silver models, "silent mode" was disabled at the factory, apparently due to a dispute over

intellectual property Intellectual property (IP) is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. There are many types of intellectual property, and some countries recognize more than others. The best-known types are patents, co ...

. This model can have silent mode re-enabled through a somewhat arcane set of "programming" steps that can be readily discovered through

internet The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...

searches. Note that this "

firmware In computing Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computer, computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both computer hardware, h ...

change" is not without risk and all steps must be completed exactly correctly.

Shutter

The camera uses an

electromagnetic In physics, electromagnetism is an interaction that occurs between particles with electric charge via electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. It is the dominant force in the interacti ...

stepper motor A stepper motor, also known as step motor or stepping motor,Clarence W. de Silva. Mechatronics: An Integrated Approach (2005). CRC Press. p. 675. "The terms ''stepper motor'', ''stepping motor'', and ''step motor'' are synonymous and are often u ...

shutter. There is no provision for non-electronic shutter release; charged batteries are always required for shutter operation. Shutter speeds between 30 seconds and 1/250th of a second are provided.

Focus

Focus Focus (: foci or focuses) may refer to: Arts * Focus or Focus Festival, former name of the Adelaide Fringe arts festival in East Australia Film *Focus (2001 film), ''Focus'' (2001 film), a 2001 film based on the Arthur Miller novel *Focus (2015 ...

can be set with an active-

infrared Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with the waves that are just longer than those ...

or by manual adjustment. In autofocus mode, a central indicator in the

shows the point the camera will attempt to focus on and a lamp in the viewfinder indicates that focus has been achieved when the shutter release is half pressed. Focus remains locked until the shutter release is pressed fully or the button released. Manual focus is initiated by a button on the top plate of the camera. Focus is adjusted by reading the focus distance from the top-mounted LCD and adjusted with the "+" and "-" buttons. A single button can be pressed to lock focus at infinity.

Exposure metering

The camera provides automatic exposure metering in

aperture priority Aperture priority, often abbreviated ''A'' or ''Av'' (for aperture value) on a camera mode dial, is a mode on some cameras that allows the user to set a specific aperture value (f-number) while the camera selects a shutter speed to match it that ...

auto-exposure or programmed exposure modes (with AE lock and +/-2 EV

exposure compensation Exposure compensation is a technique for adjusting the exposure indicated by a photographic exposure meter, in consideration of factors that may cause the indicated exposure to result in a less-than-optimal image. Factors considered may include ...

) or exposure can be manually set (with exposure metering still available). Light is metered through a sensor on the front of the camera body rather than using TTL metering or a sensor inside the filter ring. This means that manual camera settings (

value or

) must be used to account for light reduction due to any filter fitted. Exposure modes are selected via the four-position power/mode switch as follows: * off the camera is switched off * P Program AE (auto-exposure) mode. Exposure is set by calculating the correct shutter speed for the given lighting, film sensitivity and currently-selected aperture. If the calculated shutter speed is higher than the maximum available (1/250th of a second) the aperture is closed to expose with an achievable shutter speed value. If the calculated shutter speed is lower than the "camera shake" shutter speed (default 1/30 of a second, but variable from 1/4 to 1/60) the aperture is opened to expose with that shutter speed. * A Aperture priority AE mode. Exposure is set by calculating the correct shutter speed or the given lighting, film sensitivity and currently-selected aperture. If that shutter speed is not available the photo is taken with the closest available shutter speed, but the aperture value is not varied. * M Manual exposure mode. Exposure is set by the user indicating the aperture value via the aperture dial and the shutter speed via push-buttons on the camera top plate. Half-pressing the shutter release will set the shutter speed value to the correct value as calculated by the camera's metering system, which the user can then vary. A self-timer button, also on the camera's top plate, can be used to trigger an exposure with a time delay of approximately 10 seconds (cancelable).

Electronic flash

The camera has a

flash Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional aliases * The Flash, several DC Comics superheroes with super speed: ** Flash (Jay Garrick) ** Barry Allen ** Wally West, the first Kid Flash and third adult Flash ...

hot-shoe, and was often sold with a dedicated Konica Hx-14 flash unit. Automatic flash exposure is available when used with this HX-14 unit, in variable-aperture automatic mode when set to ogram mode (useful for fill-flash), fixed-aperture automatic flash mode when set to or modes or manual mode when the flash is set to "P-full". Manual flash is possible with other flash units, including non-Konica units.

Additional features

Later-production examples of the Hexar supported four features not available in earlier units: * multiple exposures * AF focusing for

Kodak The Eastman Kodak Company, referred to simply as Kodak (), is an American public company that produces various products related to its historic basis in film photography. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and is incorporated i ...

and

films A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of Visual arts, visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are gen ...

* Guide number flash exposure using detected

range * a manual exposure mode with spot metering For a time, Konica offered an upgrade to retrofit these features to earlier-model cameras. Cameras without this modification can have this upgrade applied through a set of "programming" steps which can be discovered through internet searches (a similar in concept to the steps to enable "silent mode"). As with "silent mode" enablement, this "

change" is not without risk and all steps must be completed exactly correctly.

Models and packaging

The

Hexar was sold either "body only" or as a set with HX-14 flash unit. Earlier models were black and came in a "standard" model or a model supporting an autodate film back. Later-production samples of this unit supported additional features, as noted above. A Hexar Rhodium finish (metallic pinkish in color) was available as an alternative to the more standard black finish. A similar model was also marketed as Hexar Titanium in other markets. In 1993 two limited-edition versions of the Hexar were released: * Hexar Classic: "Classic: 1993 silver chrome finish Hexars commemorating the 120th Anniversary of Konica. Hard to find since only 2000 were made, special gray presentation box, top plate engraved "120 Years, Since 1873."" This model supported auto- bracketing of exposure, a feature not found in other models (except, perhaps, the Gold Hexar below). * Hexar Gold: "Konica's Gold Hexar is very stylishly done with a burnished gold finish, rather than the shiny gold finish used by most gold cameras. The packaging is first rate as well, with a special red velvet lined presentation walnut embossed case. The inside case is labeled "Konica's 120th Anniversary."" 500 Gold Hexars were produced. In 1997 the Hexar Silver replaced earlier models, finished in a silver color and with "silent mode" disabled at the factory, apparently due to a dispute over

. These models can have silent mode re-enabled through a somewhat arcane set of "programming" steps that can be readily discovered through internet searches.

Successors

later released a

camera, the Hexar RF, with some (perhaps superficial) similarities to the Hexar camera. They also released a Leica thread mount lens in 35mm focal length (the UC Hexanon 35mm f2 in so-called L mount) that is said to be a design descendant of Hexar camera's 35mm f2 lens.

End of the company

and

Minolta was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras, lenses, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta Co., Ltd., which is also known simply as Minolta, was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as . It made the first integrated ...

merged to form

Konica Minolta is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with offices in 49 countries worldwide. The company manufactures business and industrial imaging products, in ...

in 2003. In 2006

Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...

acquired photographic assets from

, with the latter company withdrawing from all photography-related activity. The targets of the acquisition by

were the designs and tooling for

SLR cameras and accessories. It is not known whether

acquired other photographic assets such as film camera designs or whether those are retained by

. Whatever the case, none of the involved companies has expressed any interest in renewed production of film cameras or digital cameras based on such designs. Konica Minolta has since announced "Konica Minolta ceased the entire customer services for Konica Minolta cameras and related products, as of 31 December 2010." It appears that services such as downloads for camera manuals were withdrawn at roughly the time of this announcement.

References

External links

Manual for the Hexar Silver from a

web site (no longer available for download)

Konica Hexar AF portal page by Johan Niels Kuiper

Hexar "AF" on Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest Site

Hexar Black on Dante Stella's photography web site

Camerapedia article on the Hexar

Konica Hexar Review by Richard Caruana created in 1996 followed by more than 15 years of ongoing discussion and very useful information on the photo.net web site (drastically shortened in 2015) {{Konica Konica cameras, Hexar Products introduced in 1993