Silent Mode
One notable feature of the Konica 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, film advance, shutter cocking and autofocus. In normal operation the Hexar is very quiet. It is nearly inaudible at any distance from the camera in "silent" mode (Leica rangefinder cameras, 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. This model can have silent mode re-enabled through a somewhat arcane set of "programming" steps that can be readily discovered through internet searches. Note that this "firmware change" is not without risk and all steps must be completed exactly correctly.
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