Konica Hexar AF Original Update

[mkochsch]

I've seen posts which document how to turn on the silent mode of the Classic/Silver Hexars. How does one update the original black Hexars to add GN, Bracketing, Multi-Exposure? Is it possible or did Konica techs have special resources? Thx.

 

[mkochsch]

I've seen posts which document how to turn on the silent mode of the Classic/Silver Hexars. How does one update the original black Hexars to add GN, Bracketing, Multi-Exposure? Is it possible or did Konica techs have special resources? Thx.

I'll answer my own question. I pieced this together from a few other sources, notably some posts on photo.net and clubsnap.org. The values shown in steps 6 and 7 were unlike any other value reported so I used them here. I would be interested in knowing how it works on other black hexars. Try at your own risk, but I've yet to read of someone having a problem.

Adding Functions To The Original Black Hexar AF

1: With camera off and empty of film, turn the aperture dial to F22.

2: Turn the camera on and press SELECT button. The LCD display will show +/-0.0

3: Press SELECT button again. The LCD display will show [0]

4: Turn the camera off, turn camera on. Do not press any buttons. LCD Display shows [0]

5: The following button sequence put the camera into ROM mode. Use the Left-Right exposure compensation buttons:

Press right button 1 time
Press left button 2 times
Press right button 3 times
Press left button 4 times
Press right button 3 times
Press left button 2 times
Press right button 1 time

The camera will cycle and the display will show the flashing number '232'

6: Turn aperture dial from f22 to f13 (the spot between f11 and f16). LCD display shows A[3F] (or maybe A[38]) Use the left exposure compensation button to set this value to A[00]

7: Turn aperture dial to f16. The LCD display shows D[22] (or possibly D[FB])

8: Set this value to D[FE] with the exposure compensation button.

9: Power off. The display shows f16

10: Press shutter release button for 2 secs. f16 disappears, camera switches off

The original black hexars should have the full set of functions.

Other Information:
As I dialed to f13 and f16 I noticed other number flying by on the screen. From some basic poking around this is what I can report:

F22 = 232 flashing
F19 = T (the letter "T" is displayed)
F16 = d[16] (One of the two programming hex registers on the chip, changable using the UP/DN buttons.)
F13 = A[3F] (The second of the two programming hex registers on the chip.)
F11 = ###/0.6 (Nothing happens except a flashing number followed by 0.6 on the LCD screen, probably a focus sensor. 0.6 is the closest the camera can focus coincidentally. Point the camer at infinity now and the screen reads 000, at very close range the read out say 160.) I'm guessing that this and the following seven menus have to do with distance sensor calibration used by Konica technicians.
F9.5 = ###/0.8 (Same as above except flashes 0.8 and next readable distance on the hexar's lens. Again read out is affected by pointing the camera at different distances.)
F8 = ###/3.8 (Same as above except flashed 3.8 ie. about 12.5 feet.)
F6.7 = ###/7.6 (Same as above except flashed 7.6 ie. about 25 feet.)

F5.6 = This is interesting. The lens jumps to its closest focus .6 m and the LCD read 300.
F4.8 = Same as previous, except the lens sets itself to .8 and the LCD reads 222.
F4 = Same. Except lens focuses at 3 metres and LCD reads 055
F3.4 = Same. Except lens focuses at infinity and LCD read 013.
F2.8 = Something else this time. The lens doesn move but the screen reads 28.4 and changes a little. Not sure what causes the change.
F2.4 = Same as f2.8 except number read 212 and tends to change a bit.
F2 = Something new again. The LCD screen becomes active ISO and +/- are lit and seems to turn on extra pixels. If I had to guess it appears the number 1/88.8 is displayed.



Part II: How To Use The New Functions.

1.
Multi-exposure
* switch from Off to P-mode while pressing SELF
* the display will show 0 left of number of shot, e.g. 0[03]
* with each exposure, the left number increases, e.g. 1[03], 2[03] etc..
* switch to Off, and the film is transported to the next frame.
* more than 9 exposures are possible, but not indicated.

2.
Manual selection of flash guide number
* switch from Off to P-mode while pressing SELECT
* keep pressing SELECT and use UP/DOWN for GN selection
* when releasing SELECT, camera displays [PFl].
* switch to Off, and the selection is deleted.
* when required GN number is not available, select nearest lower number, e,g. GN24 not available, then select GN23.

3.
Infrared auto focus
* load film, and switch camera on (P, A, or M mode)
* IR film is non DX, so requires pressing the shutter release button to advance to frame 1.
* switch to A mode, then press SELECT until ISO values are displayed. Within 3 secs, press DOWN untill [---] is shown. press MF once to display [750] (corresponding to Konica IR750 film) press MF twice to display [850] (corresponding to Kodak's 850 film) (the numbers correspond to the wavelength the films are sensitive for)
* after 3 secs, the display will show [iso 100], acknowledging successful setting of IR value.
* for correct exposure, consult the data sheet of the film.

4.
Fast exposure setting (fast related to setting, not exposure!)
* select aperture in M-mode.
* partially press shutter release button.
* display shows proper shutter time.
* press UP or DOWN, and that time is selected. This allows for a very quick spotmetering. When now the composition is changed, including DOF, the measured time still is used.

5.
Auto-bracketing
* switch to M-mode and press SELECT until [+/- 0.0] is shown.
* use UP/DOWN to select increment, from 1/3 to 2 stops.
* when pressing shutter release, three exposures are taken.

Important:
* though engaged in M-mode, switching to A or P is possible before pressing shutter release.
* bracketing varies shutter release time. When in P-mode this is outside of the range 1/250 - camera shake critical speed, the aperture is changed.
* autofocus is activated before the first exposure and maintained for second and third.
* shutter release time indication shown in A or P mode is only calculated for the first exposure. Under low light conditions, the shutter time may end up under the camera shake critical speed. When in doubt use a tripod.
* when the aperture/shutter time combination falls entirely out of the range of the Hexar, the exposure is not made. This results in only 1 or 2 exposures.
* when the film is full, the bracketing is stopped, and the film gets rewinded.
* when using bracketing together with EV-compensation in A or P mode, the entire bracket moves up or down the amount of the compensation.
* no bracketing is possible with flash or T(time) exposures.
* bracketing has to be cancelled by setting the EV to [+/-0.0] again.

 

[cocoa]

While this is (v) old news, it does show how fun to have a cam like Hexar AF. After a while however, I realise that a Leica IIIf is a better cam to use (at least you know exactly where are you focusing, esp. up close).

 

[ricohflex]

Press right button 1 time
Press left button 2 times
Press right button 3 times
Press left button 4 times
Press right button 3 times
Press left button 2 times
Press right button 1 time

:sweat:

wow am I glad I did not buy the Hexar AF

 

[cocoa]

:sweat:

wow am I glad I did not buy the Hexar AF

How so?? As a matter fact, I've found this "hack" very fun.... it's like by keying some secret codes, your Hexar suddenly becomes so much quieter. Cool rite? (OK, it's obviously not for those faint-hearted )

 

[sathea]

Very interesting instructions to adding new functions in a camera.