Konica's Hexar AF — cult fixed-lens 35mm autofocus compact, 35mm f/2, quiet, 1993.
The Konica Hexar AF is a fixed-lens 35mm autofocus compact from 1993 and a strongly sought-after cult camera among film photographers. It was built as a premium large-sensor-era point-and-shoot with a fixed 35mm f/2 lens and very quiet operation, marketed toward photographers who wanted rangefinder-style quality and discretion in an autofocus body. Its used demand and prices are well documented.
The Hexar AF is a fixed-lens autofocus compact with a 35mm f/2 lens, framing through a bright optical viewfinder. It offers program and aperture-priority automatic exposure with manual override on some functions, a very quiet leaf shutter within the lens, and a notably quiet film-transport system; it depends on battery power to focus, meter and fire. The 35mm f/2 lens and quiet operation are its defining verifiable traits.
It suits street, documentary and travel photographers who want a fast wide-normal lens and near-silent operation for candid work. The quiet shutter and advance make it well suited to reportage and low-key shooting, and the f/2 lens works in dim light. It is a premium tool bought for image quality and discretion rather than for manual dexterity.
Because values are high, inspect carefully on the used market. Check the LCD and any display for bleed or missing segments, confirm the autofocus is accurate and quiet, and inspect the 35mm lens for haze, fungus and coating marks. Test the flash if the model includes one, verify the film-transport motor and the near-silent operation, check the light seals, and look for battery-door corrosion.