The Konica Hexar AF occupies rarefied company among film compacts. Introduced in 1993, it took the idea of a premium point-and-shoot to its logical extreme: a fixed lens of near-legendary quality, a body engineered for silence, and a set of controls that gave a serious photographer far more command than a normal automatic camera. It has a devoted cult following, and using one explains why.
A short history
Konica built the Hexar AF as a flagship, a camera meant to stand beside interchangeable-lens rangefinders rather than sit below them. It appeared in several finishes over its life, including the classic black and later special editions, but the substance never changed: a superb 35mm lens wrapped in a quiet, capable body. It became a quiet legend rather than a mass hit, which is exactly why enthusiasts prize it.
The 35mm f/2 lens
The camera is built around a fixed 35mm f/2 lens of seven elements, widely admired for sharpness and pleasing rendering — the kind of glass photographers compare, favourably, to interchangeable rangefinder lenses. Thirty-five millimetres is the classic all-round focal length, and f/2 is fast enough for low light and for controlling depth of field. This single lens is the reason the Hexar AF is spoken of in the same breath as far more expensive cameras.
- Lens: fixed 35mm f/2, seven elements.
- Operation: a dedicated silent mode that makes it exceptionally quiet.
- Exposure: program and aperture-priority automatic.
- Focusing: active autofocus plus manual distance setting and a snap mode.
Silence as a feature
The Hexar AF's most famous trait is its near-silent operation. A dedicated silent mode slows and hushes the lens and film movements so completely that the camera can be used where any normal shutter would intrude — quiet interiors, performances, candid portraits. For discreet and documentary work this is not a gimmick but a genuine tool, and it is a large part of the camera's cult status.
Control beyond a normal compact
Unlike most point-and-shoots, the Hexar AF lets you take charge. You can shoot aperture-priority, set focus manually by distance, and use a snap mode for zone-focused speed on the street. Exposure compensation and a good meter round out a control set that treats the photographer as a decision-maker rather than a passenger. It is automation you can override at will.
Who it is for
This is a camera for the experienced photographer who wants one small, quiet, high-quality body for everyday and low-profile work. It suits documentary, travel and available-light shooting, and anyone who values a 35mm f/2 lens in a package they can carry constantly. Newcomers can shoot it fully automatically, but its real appeal is to those who will use its deeper controls.
Using one today
The Hexar AF is a joy to handle: fast, quiet and capable, powered by a lithium cell you should keep spare. As with any electronic compact of its era, service and care matter, and the autofocus benefits from understanding its behaviour in tricky light. The reward is images from a genuinely excellent lens, made without disturbing the scene.
Buying advice
- Confirm the lens is clear, with no haze or fungus.
- Test autofocus accuracy and the manual and snap focus modes.
- Check that silent mode engages and quietens the camera as it should.
- Verify the LCD and metering respond correctly.
The verdict
The Konica Hexar AF is a connoisseur's compact — a camera that hides professional-grade optics and near-silence inside an unassuming body, and rewards the photographer who wants control. If you would like to try one, Boston Camera can supply a serviced Hexar AF ready to shoot.
