Hexar vs. Fuji

[thebanana]

I appreciate the comments that members have made in my previous post regarding the Hexar AF. I'm looking for a relatively small AF camera to use primarily for street shooting and casual shots. The Hexar attracts me because of it's features and the f2 lens. I've also looked at a Fuji 645 Af, which attracts me because of the medium format, which is what I shoot primarily with my Mamiya 1000s. I would be able to stay with one format with the Fuji. I'm not sure how much of a drawback the f4 lens would be, and the Fuji has other features that I like, such as the ability to handle film speeds up to asa1600. The obvious solution would be to buy both of them, but then I'd have to factor in lawyers fees for the impending divorce that such a move would precipitate. If anyone has any comments on the pros and cons of either camera, I'd appreciate hearing them. Cheers,

John

 

[Mongo]

I have the Fuji. Great camera, as long as you don't mind using it mostly as a point-and-shoot. The "manual" features are available, but they feel like they were implemented as an afterthought. Focusing in particular is a major pain. Now, if you used the camera exclusively and practiced with it a lot, I'm sure you could get to the point that you could manipulate it easily. But as someone who only carries it occasionally, I find that I just let the autofocus do its thing (and it's never let me down), and I shoot in aperture priority mode only.

Upsides: Very good build, razor-sharp lens, small for a 6x4.5, easy to use, film loading's dead easy, can imprint exposure data outside of frame.

Downsides: f/4 lens if you're shooting indoors (although you can handhold this puppy to some pretty slow shutter speeds), not pocketable unless you are wearing an overcoat, goofy manual focus mode, depth of field is an intellectual exercise (as it always is with rangefinders), only 15 shots per roll.

Overall: They'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

 

[jvarsoke]

Most of the negatives are the same for the Hexar, with the exception of the lens speed and 15 shots per roll.

but, yeah, bring a crowbar if you want mine.

 

[thebanana]

Thanks. I've made my decision. Fuji it is! Now to list some of the gear I have laying around in order to mitigate the damage on the homefront!