View Full Version : Konica Hexar RF...Any Good?
Creagerj
12-29-2006, 00:55
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me about the Hexar RF. Are they any good? Are they reliable and sturdy? What lenses will they and won't they take? I think it is am M mount camera isn't it? I've been thinking of buying a better RF and this one came to mind as something I could afford.
avoid early serial numbers. as usual, the factory hadn't ironed everything out. look for something #144xxxx or higher.
you sound like you've been reading the internet.
ClaremontPhoto
12-29-2006, 01:16
Try http://www.cameraquest.com/konicam.htm
I'm interested too.
this is not a camera you'd like if you can't get over the shutter sound of the leica m. practically, it makes no difference, but psychologically...
It's a great camera. I used to use one alongside an MP for my work. It is solid, reliable and has more features than any other M mount camera (other than the M8...). I eventually sold it when I bought an M7. My issue was that the metering was different than my MP, not worse, just in a different metering pattern, and keeping track of things during shooting was messing me up. I also preferred a .85 finder to a .6 finder. Also, I did not like the finder display of shutter speed as much as I did on the M7. All this was personal preference and had nothing to do with the capability of the camera. All in all it is a great choice and what I would consider the best bang for your buck in rangefinders. It is a serious, modern, fully featured camera.
All the good features aside, know that repairs, and especially spare parts, may be difficult to impossible to find. Rumor has it that Sony (owner of the Konica-Minolta camera names now) has a repair station in Europe that handles the Hexar RF. That said, they are well built and may never NEED repair or spare parts. The Konica M-Hexanon lenses are first rate as well. The body prices I have seen lately are in the same ballpark as decent M5s & M6s. There have been a few bodies listed here at RFF in recent memory.
Correction. A Hexar RF jsut sold here for half the price of a good M5 or M6. Rats! Why don't I sell Bubba and buy a Hexar RF and keep the change?
Easily the best M film camera ever made.
Then why are you selling yours? :)
Seriously though, it is a superb camera, but having or having had an M3, MP, M6, M7 and Hexar RF, I would say that the M7 is the best of the bunch. In my opinion, the M7 is better built, has a better finder, a better meter, more accurate AE and TTL flash (also HSS flash). That said, the Hexar RF has a motor drive (useful for many...I never needed it...), 1/4000th top speed and a self timer. It is dead without batteries, and the M7 has 1/60th and 1/125th. Of course, the Hexar RF is louder, and it my experience it is easier to knock the rangefinder out of alignment. Of course, there is also the repair issue.
But again, all that said, the Hexar RF is GREAT! It is cheap (I believe I sold mine in great shape for 650, and I bought it for about the same), reliable and well made. The M7 is just a better camera in my opinion...it also costs more than double, so there you go.
this is not a camera you'd like if you can't get over the shutter sound of the leica m. practically, it makes no difference, but psychologically...
Is it the same sound as the Bessa's? I've been curious about this camera for a long time, but I'm one of those who is psychologically addicted to the sound of a Leica shutter.
.
Flyfisher Tom
12-29-2006, 08:38
It's a great camera ... Beniliam might have one for sale, try contacting him, he is a good man.
Flyfisher Tom
12-29-2006, 08:40
that's fellow RFF member Beniliam
I never sell anything but the best!
I'm not using film, otherwise I'd keep it.
Then why are you selling yours? :)
Seriously though, it is a superb camera, but having or having had an M3, MP, M6, M7 and Hexar RF, I would say that the M7 is the best of the bunch. In my opinion, the M7 is better built, has a better finder, a better meter, more accurate AE and TTL flash (also HSS flash). That said, the Hexar RF has a motor drive (useful for many...I never needed it...), 1/4000th top speed and a self timer. It is dead without batteries, and the M7 has 1/60th and 1/125th. Of course, the Hexar RF is louder, and it my experience it is easier to knock the rangefinder out of alignment. Of course, there is also the repair issue.
But again, all that said, the Hexar RF is GREAT! It is cheap (I believe I sold mine in great shape for 650, and I bought it for about the same), reliable and well made. The M7 is just a better camera in my opinion...it also costs more than double, so there you go.
The hexar RF is a very good camera. I sold mine to a fellow RFFer simply because I was also using an M6 and using the two together confused me - I was frequently shooting the M6 without checking the metering (AE on the Hexar). The top and bottom are titanium, it weighs about the same as an M and it is very well made. The 0.6 finder makes it a good bet for those who wear glasses and like wider angles. There is lots of talk about Leica lenses not being usable on the Hexar, but that is just bull**** - check out www.dantestella.com for the real story. The shutter noise is not quite as quiet as a Leica M, but the difference is more to do with pitch that amplitude and the fact that you get the motor sound immediately after the shutter release. If you shoot on continuous the shutter and motor sound as near as co-incide which actually results in less noise. You would never describe the Hexar as a noisy camera. It has everything the M7 has plus 1/4000 top shutter speed and a motor drive for about a third to a quarter of the price. Size wise it is a little bigger than an M without a motor drive, but smaller than an M with one. Overall, if you like AE it is just about the best bang for your money.
>this is not a camera you'd like if you can't get over the shutter
>sound of the leica m.
As someone who has taken grief over my rejection of the M8 primarily because of the sound of the shutter (don't get me started...), I have no objection to that made by the Hexar RF. Considering that both the shutter is cocked and the film advanced, the sound is a perfect match for its function.
I own a Hexar RF and think that it is a terrific camera. Solid, dependable, very Leica-like in many ways.
And there are times that the auto-film advance (something no other M camera can do) is a big plus.
If I wasn't so camera heavy right now, a second Hexar RF would be in my collection.
The hexar RF is a very good camera. I sold mine to a fellow RFFer simply because I was also using an M6 and using the two together confused me - I was frequently shooting the M6 without checking the metering (AE on the Hexar). The top and bottom are titanium, it weighs about the same as an M and it is very well made. The 0.6 finder makes it a good bet for those who wear glasses and like wider angles. There is lots of talk about Leica lenses not being usable on the Hexar, but that is just bull**** - check out www.dantestella.com for the real story. The shutter noise is not quite as quiet as a Leica M, but the difference is more to do with pitch that amplitude and the fact that you get the motor sound immediately after the shutter release. If you shoot on continuous the shutter and motor sound as near as co-incide which actually results in less noise. You would never describe the Hexar as a noisy camera. It has everything the M7 has plus 1/4000 top shutter speed and a motor drive for about a third to a quarter of the price. Size wise it is a little bigger than an M without a motor drive, but smaller than an M with one. Overall, if you like AE it is just about the best bang for your money.
Thanks Gid. That's a good description of the camera. karen Nakamura has a nice write-up on the Hexar, as well.
.
the shutter is quieter than an M4P, but is of a different pitch, and then a longer sound as you get the motor wind sound after each shot, but my first reaction was, wow, almost as quiet as the hexar af.
Is it the same sound as the Bessa's? I've been curious about this camera for a long time, but I'm one of those who is psychologically addicted to the sound of a Leica shutter.
.
Flyfisher Tom
12-29-2006, 09:06
Gid is right ... check out Karen Nakamura's site about how users in Japan never experienced any incompatability issues, with either the bodies or the lenses.
The lenses are stellar by the way.
And if you really need more convincing, try looking at this gallery for some work done with the Hexar:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1528&cat=500
Of course David (Beniliam) is incredibly talented and has a phenomenal eye, but you get a sense of what the camera can do :)
Flyfisher Tom
12-29-2006, 09:09
Ray you beat me to the Karen Nakamura citation ! ;)
cheers
I think I have your old one which you sold to Andy (s/n 1447xxx). It's a good one! The 1/4000 lets you shoot narrow DOF in most any lighting. The stepless shutter gives you unparalleled increased exposure accuracy over an M6.
The hexar RF is a very good camera. I sold mine to a fellow RFFer simply because I was also using an M6 and using the two together confused me - I was frequently shooting the M6 without checking the metering (AE on the Hexar). The top and bottom are titanium, it weighs about the same as an M and it is very well made. The 0.6 finder makes it a good bet for those who wear glasses and like wider angles. There is lots of talk about Leica lenses not being usable on the Hexar, but that is just bull**** - check out www.dantestella.com for the real story. The shutter noise is not quite as quiet as a Leica M, but the difference is more to do with pitch that amplitude and the fact that you get the motor sound immediately after the shutter release. If you shoot on continuous the shutter and motor sound as near as co-incide which actually results in less noise. You would never describe the Hexar as a noisy camera. It has everything the M7 has plus 1/4000 top shutter speed and a motor drive for about a third to a quarter of the price. Size wise it is a little bigger than an M without a motor drive, but smaller than an M with one. Overall, if you like AE it is just about the best bang for your money.
I think I have your old one which you sold to Andy (s/n 1447xxx). It's a good one! The 1/4000 lets you shoot narrow DOF in most any lighting. The stepless shutter gives you unparalleled increased exposure accuracy over an M6.
Can't remember the serial number, but it had a small scratch on the body at front left. I always found the metering to be on the money. All this talk is making me think I made a mistake selling it :(
No, the Hexar RF sounds just like a Contax G2 (very similar construction, probably same OEM factory/factories in Japan), only without the autofocus noise, of course. As others have posted, the noisiest thing is the film advance, not the shutter itself, which is well-damped. I would say it's actually quieter than the M8 overall.
Is it the same sound as the Bessa's? I've been curious about this camera for a long time, but I'm one of those who is psychologically addicted to the sound of a Leica shutter.
.
on the top near the shutter, and like many, paint is flaking off the titanium bottom. I want an M film body for backup, and am having trouble deciding if it should be an M4P or the Hexar RF. One thing for sure is if it were my primary camera it would be the RF, if for no other reason for giving me perfect exposures and not wasting film.
Can't remember the serial number, but it had a small scratch on the body at front left. I always found the metering to be on the money. All this talk is making me think I made a mistake selling it :(
Ray you beat me to the Karen Nakamura citation ! ;)
cheers
Her site is the first one I think about when referring to the Hexar. For some reason my bookmark to her site comes up with the Hexar RF picture.
:)
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! We are collectively driving the price up by the minute!
on the top near the shutter, and like many, paint is flaking off the titanium bottom. I want an M film body for backup, and am having trouble deciding if it should be an M4P or the Hexar RF. One thing for sure is if it were my primary camera it would be the RF, if for no other reason for giving me perfect exposures and not wasting film.
I just checked the classifieds and saw that Andy has just sold my ex hexar, so yours must have a different heritage (mine had no dings:angel: )
If your going for a back up to the Hexar, then get a body with AE unless you're less easily confused than I am (that is if you're going to take both out at the same time).
No, the Hexar RF sounds just like a Contax G2 (very similar construction, probably same OEM factory/factories in Japan), only without the autofocus noise, of course. As others have posted, the noisiest thing is the film advance, not the shutter itself, which is well-damped. I would say it's actually quieter than the M8 overall.
That's good. I did not like the shutter sound of my Bessa R2 (and I hated the sound the manual film advance made).
:)
>Is it the same sound as the Bessa's?
No. The closest match soundwise that I'm aware of is the Xpan.
As posted elsewhere, it cannot be described as loud but I would still trust my M7 to be less noticable in a quiet environment.
Beniliam
12-29-2006, 09:36
I have use much the M6 and the Hexar RF.
In my experience I didnt see real lag problems with the Hexar and I do photos to people that normally arent stopped... Other thing is when you use the AE system. In few situations I missed the photo because you need push first slightly the shutter because the camera need metering firts and in this short space of time you can lose the image... I dont know if other cameras with AE mode have the same ´problem´. I remeber the Oly Xa or Canonet or the Contax T have more instantaneous metering system. Its like the camera metering all the time, you dont need push the shutter for reading the light... I dont know if I explaining well... Can somebody explain me why I have the impression that the cameras that I said are more instantaneous in the AE mode?
I use leica and voigtlander lens and dont find problems. Never!
I think that this viewfinder its better to use with one 35 mm over one 50 mm. I think that 40 mm framelines had been excellent for this camera. I love the 40 mm lens and think in the great Hexanon 40 mm of the Konica SLR´s. Its a pity that didnt make a retro combo Hexar RF + 40 mm... like Rollei made.
:)
well, konica deserves kudos for dampening the metal shutter better than anyone. it's the "modern" sound of the motor wind that wipes away any association with the "classic" leica m.
ben is right about having to prime the shutter. if the meter isn't active, pushing the button all the way will not take a picture. it'll just turn on the meter.
note: this is just for ae and ael. manual mode is unaffected.
I have use much the M6 and the Hexar RF.
In my experience I didnt see real lag problems with the Hexar and I do photos to people that normally arent stopped... Other thing is when you use the AE system. In few situations I missed the photo because you need push first slightly the shutter because the camera need metering firts and in this short space of time you can lose the image... I dont know if other cameras with AE mode have the same ´problem´. I remeber the Oly Xa or Canonet or the Contax T have more instantaneous metering system. Its like the camera metering all the time, you dont need push the shutter for reading the light... I dont know if I explaining well... Can somebody explain me why I have the impression that the cameras that I said are more instantaneous in the AE mode?
I use leica and voigtlander lens and dont find problems. Never!
I think that this viewfinder its better to use with one 35 mm over one 50 mm. I think that 40 mm framelines had been excellent for this camera. I love the 40 mm lens and think in the great Hexanon 40 mm of the Konica SLR´s. Its a pity that didnt make a retro combo Hexar RF + 40 mm... like Rollei made.
:)
Really? That's interesting. (Wayne this is where we collectively jump-in to lower prices ;) ). Most of the AE cameras I use are pretty much instantaneous. Does camera metering work without AE mode? There's an exposure lock, too—right?
.
Yes, you can use it like any other M (manual mode), or as you said, in AEL. I never had any problems with it, since I am used to half depressing the shutter before taking the shot.
when you're in manual mode, it shows what the meter is thinking for ss. Ultimate street auto mode with AE and AEL (with finger depression).
Mine fires whenever I push down on the shutter. Not sure why someone has one that doesn't.
Yes, you can use it like any other M (manual mode), or as you said, in AEL. I never had any problems with it, since I am used to half depressing the shutter before taking the shot.
actually, that's only in manual mode. ae and ael need the meter to be on before you can take a shot. it's only a problem in those very hurried situations, which is maddening because you're always going to remember the ones that got away. somewhat defeats the purpose of automation. :bang:
OK, I see what you're saying. IMHO, just keep it on all the time, the meter goes off with power management when not depressed, so only turn it off when you're home or done shooting. Otherwise keep it on, it's not using much juice.
actually, that's only in manual mode. ae and ael need the meter to be on before you can take a shot. it's only a problem in those very hurried situations, which is maddening because you're always going to remember the ones that got away. somewhat defeats the purpose of automation. :bang:
Beniliam
12-29-2006, 13:58
One question:
Some Hexar RF ´s users have cases for the camera? Im interested to know how the shutter sound decreases with one case. The sound reduction is remarkable?
Thanks and sorry for my question :)
I had the Luigi case, but I don't think it made a big difference in the noise. Actually, as nice as the Luigi cases are (I use them for my M's...), I don't think they are necessary for the Hexar RF....the grip on the Hexar is very good already
Beniliam
12-29-2006, 14:37
Thank you Stuart for your answer!
Huck Finn
12-29-2006, 15:30
I like most of what I saw on the Konica Hexar RF. I decided not to buy it because I didn't want the low magnification (0.6x). Despite this magnification, Konica chose to clutter the viewfinder with 135 mm frame lines despite the fact that such a lens is virtually unusable at this magnificaiton. Even a 90 mm lens will have focus problems at f/2 on this camera. The parts/service issue also scared me off.
OK, I see what you're saying. IMHO, just keep it on all the time, the meter goes off with power management when not depressed, so only turn it off when you're home or done shooting. Otherwise keep it on, it's not using much juice.
i don't mean you need to keep the camera on. i mean the meter, the leds in the viewfinder.
stop those long lenses down a stop or two and you won't have a problem. or get the 75/90/135 framelines blanked out. then you've got it real good for the 28/35/50 (though i like a .72x for 50mm, even if the lens blocks more of the corner).
I like most of what I saw on the Konica Hexar RF. I decided not to buy it because I didn't want the low magnification (0.6x). Despite this magnification, Konica chose to clutter the viewfinder with 135 mm frame lines despite the fact that such a lens is virtually unusable at this magnificaiton. Even a 90 mm lens will have focus problems at f/2 on this camera. The parts/service issue also scared me off.
I would disagree with your statement that the 135mm lens is unusable on the Hexar RF. I used a 135/4 Tele-Elmar with it in Iceland and had no problems at all. I mostly shot at f/4 and f/5.6. Here are some samples:
http://www.stuartrichardson.com/horsefarm-ruins-imacon.jpg
http://www.stuartrichardson.com/stranded-chick.jpg
http://www.stuartrichardson.com/tern-post.jpg
http://www.stuartrichardson.com/cowgirl.jpg
It works fine, you just need to be attentive and careful. As long as you use good technique and have decent eyes (or contacts like me...) you should have no trouble focusing the 135mm lens on the Hexar RF. I did not have many problems with the 75/1.4 either, but I did not shoot it wide open and close up very often...that is hard to focus on any body.
those are stunning photographs Stuart!
netzspannung
01-01-2007, 08:15
The Hexar is an excellent camera indeed, but the problem is in its reliabilty. I bought one recently, and returned it, sadly. Electronic problem - the camera would reset itself mid-roll and do the leader-winding sequence.. caused by a worn switch or something.. fairly common from postings on the internet.. Also, the sound did not bother me, the RF did - the window is square, not rectangular, and smaller and much less contrasty than on the leica...
To get this Hexar I sold my M4-2, and the R2 before it... damn, now I am rangefinderless... I can afford the M7, but the price is not fun at all.. I'd rather take a vacation in some place interesting enough ;)
Can you imagine the humilation the Hexar RF has cost me? To shoot bw film I had to buy a Canon (yuck) Rebel Ti (omg:).. paint it black with a permanent marker as I could not stand the color ;) and what do you think? It is a *much* faster camera than any RF and very quiet too.
I'd like to buy a M7 someday though :(
Great camera with some caveats..
Biggest detractor is the film advance whine. It just doesn't rhyme with RF photography. Maybe I had a very bad sample in this regard, but I couldn't get used to that screeching noise..
Beniliam
01-03-2007, 03:13
If something are interested in one Hexar, I´d like sell one in excellent condition.
KoNickon
01-03-2007, 04:55
I have on a number of occasions taken the opportunity to praise the Hexar RF here on this forum. I concur with the favorable comments above regarding its reliability, the quietness of its shutter, its accurate metering, overall build quality, and superb quality of the lenses.
I do not understand the comment about its rangefinder patch being square -- it's rectangular, though maybe more square than that of a Leica. However, it's definitely the brightest rangefinder patch I have ever experienced, which makes focusing very easy, even with the .58 magnification. I have used 135mm lenses with it without problems. As a glasses wearer, moreover, being able to easily see the 28mm framelines is a real boon.
I have heard several reports of its rangefinder patch being rather easily knocked out of adjustment. All I know is that any rangefinder camera should be treated with care in order to avoid this occurrence. As for repairs in the U.S. (or North America), I think Greg Weber in Nebraska is well-equipped to work on Hexars.
SteveM(PA)
01-03-2007, 05:58
Wow Stuart. Wow.
I don't have one, but I always enjoy Hexar threads. People always post excellent photographs.
Wow Stuart. Wow.
I don't have one, but I always enjoy Hexar threads. People always post excellent photographs.
Steve,
I think you made a very important point and one that often gets lost in gear/tech babble: "People always post excellent photographs."
Yeah, the Hexar RF and the Hexanon lenses make excellent photographs. It's not a perfect camera (is there such a device???) but there is far more to like about this system than to dislike. And the results.......
Best Regards,
Bob
davichan
01-03-2007, 11:07
I have heard several reports of its rangefinder patch being rather easily knocked out of adjustment.
I have been only a reader of the forum for over a year now, and really enjoy it i must say. I have learned and learned many a new thing from it. I have decided to finnaly start posting due to my love of this camera.
I have been a proud Hexar owner for over 6 years now, and use it as my daily camera. it is with me everyday. I think of my my camera as like my keys, never to leave home without it. About it being knocked out easily, yes this is true. I have had mine re-set twice since owning it. But i think any camera that is going to be "used" should have a proper visit for a check up.
As for repairs, in (NYC), I think Nippon Photo Clinic: 920 Broadway, 7th Floor, Suite 705 NYC (212) 982-3177 in NYC is the best spot to work on any camera. these two guys are amazing.
I wont get into the Leica vs Hexar debate, cause they are just different cameras.
try it, you might never know if you like it, or not; till you do in life.
The Hexar is an excellent camera indeed, but the problem is in its reliabilty. I bought one recently, and returned it, sadly. Electronic problem - the camera would reset itself mid-roll and do the leader-winding sequence.. caused by a worn switch or something.. fairly common from postings on the internet.. :(
One of my Hexars had this same issue, and I had it repaired by K-M just before the sale to Sony (probably some of the posts he mentions on the internet are mine :) )
It has its quirks, but I love AE mode and the M7 is just out of my price range.
The other one for me is that the camera does not hang well on a strap... it noses over. The eye-piece falling off is another, and they are as rare as "hens teeth"... just ask Matt at 1pt4.com: http://www.1point4photography.com/blog/category/cameras/
The big concern for me right now is parts and who is going to repair them here in the US. Greg Weber is very well respected, but parts are very difficult to find, and he tells an anecdote about boxes of parts being thrown out by K-M with the sale. I have yet to read of a successful repair, by Sony, on one of these by anyone living in the U.S. since the sale. I hope I won't be the first attempt.
I was able to get my hands on a service manual for the Hexar RF, which makes me feel a little better, unless of course I get the dreaded "blinking 10" error .
I must admit, thought, that for RF I have been shooting the G2 more, simply because it is a one-handed camera (AF), especially nice with small children)
Berliner
01-06-2007, 14:05
I just added a Hexar RF to my M-rf collection. I've read all the conflicting info on lens compatiblity, rf missalignment, etc., and still bought this beauty, as I have dreamed of having one since they were introduced--I love digital--it has made all the cameras I only dreamed of owning so much more affordable!
Any case, I have a mismash of lenses I use on a Bessa R, a ZI, and an M6. They are:
a CV 40 1.4 nokton & 35 2.5 color-skopar PII, (CV)ZI 50 f2 planar, (CV) ZI 28 2.8 biogon, and a 90 2.8 tele-elmarit. Any particular issues I should consider before mounting one of these lenses on the new Hexar? Thanks for all the help--Love this forum!
The thing that doesn't often get mentioned about the Hexar RF is what a great point & shoot camera it can be. When I travel with my family, I can take the body, the 40 Rokkor and the VC 21 and its size guarantees I'll always have it with me.
When I sell mine, it will only be if I quit shooting film. (God, if Sony would only turn the RF into a digital body!)
The attached pic is cropped from a VC 21/Hexar RF shot taken at arms length on Fuji NPH.
hofrench@mac.co
01-06-2007, 19:00
Introducing the Konica Hexar, in black and white and in color:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aglimpseoftheworld/154237465/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aglimpseoftheworld/179845245/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aglimpseoftheworld/319577901/
I couldn't be more happy with this camera, particularly given the price.
Berliner,
I have a Hexar RF and have used Konica, Leica, CV and ZI lenses on on it. I have experienced no problems with compatability. I think most agree that any compatability issues are due to specific bodies/lens combinations. There is no evidence that there is, or ever was, a universal problem.
Additionally, I have used the Konica lenses on my Leicas and various CV bodies with no problem.
Best Regards,
Bob
amateriat
01-07-2007, 19:54
Wow...amazed I missed this thread until now.
I'm into my fifth year of using the Hexar RF (two of them, actually), along with a trio of M-Hexanon glass – 28, 50, 90 – as my Main Axe camera system. Aside from a few early teething issues with one body, I positively love this camera, in terms of "feel", build quality, control layout, and speed of operation. I've run a lot of film through both bodies, and they've served up great results (although I've been really knocked out by others' examples in this thread). It's the camera that helped me leave the SLR world for dead, and with no regrets.
Some details, based on some comments in this thread:
- Although the motorized film advance/rewind function adds some noise to the operation, in most instances this isn't a major issue. The vertical-travel shutter itself is surprisignly quiet...or maybe not so surprising, since the shutter blades, besides being decently dampened, are made not of metal, but of carbon-fiber.
- I can't speak from experience using a 135mm lens on either of my HRFs (although Stuart's eye-popping examples show that it can be done, to say the very least), but I've used my M-Hex 90mm f/2.8 wide-open without incident, and can say from my results that I doubt any other camera/lens combination can seriously better it.
While I've happily lived without the three ring circus of auto-everytihing SLRs for a while now, the Hexar has just the right amount of modern (for RFs, anyway) creature comforts such as DX film coding, wide shutter-speed range (16s-1/4000sec), motorozed film advance and rewind, and auto flash-sync (at 1/125sec), among others, all underneath a sober, Clark-Kent-like exterior devoid of anything unusual besides a small LCD panel which serves as frame counter and highly-useful heads-up battery condition indicator.
To say the least, if I had it to do over again, I certainly would.
- Barrett
Any case, I have a mismash of lenses I use on a Bessa R, a ZI, and an M6. They are:
a CV 40 1.4 nokton & 35 2.5 color-skopar PII, (CV)ZI 50 f2 planar, (CV) ZI 28 2.8 biogon, and a 90 2.8 tele-elmarit. Any particular issues I should consider before mounting one of these lenses on the new Hexar? Thanks for all the help--Love this forum!
There is a thread on p-net, started by Lutz Konnerman[sp?] that mentions some slight camming differences between thh Hexanon lenses and everything else (you calibrate the RF for one set, but the alignment is out on the other). Since your "mismash" does not include a Hexanon, you'll be fine.
In that thread some folks said they didn't see a difference; admittedly, Lutz uses a nice large meter-stick and does some critical focusing images.
One of my Hexar RFs came back from K-M assumingly aligned for Hexanon lenses, and I had to reset the horizontal adjustment for my Leica lenses (meaning that when I mounted a Leica or VC lens, and set the lens to infinity, and looked the VF, the patch alignment did not match when I looked at something at infinity). Once that was done, no issue on Leica or VC glass (I don't own any Hexanon glass).
Could it have been knocked out in shipping? Certainly.
amateriat
01-08-2007, 12:59
I have been only a reader of the forum for over a year now, and really enjoy it i must say. I have learned and learned many a new thing from it. I have decided to finnaly start posting due to my love of this camera.
I have been a proud Hexar owner for over 6 years now, and use it as my daily camera. it is with me everyday. I think of my my camera as like my keys, never to leave home without it. About it being knocked out easily, yes this is true. I have had mine re-set twice since owning it. But i think any camera that is going to be "used" should have a proper visit for a check up.
As for repairs, in (NYC), I think Nippon Photo Clinic: 920 Broadway, 7th Floor, Suite 705 NYC (212) 982-3177 in NYC is the best spot to work on any camera. these two guys are amazing.
I wont get into the Leica vs Hexar debate, cause they are just different cameras.
try it, you might never know if you like it, or not; till you do in life.
Heck, I almost totally forgot about Nippon...haven't been there in quite a while, and good to know they're still around. Have you actually taken you Hexar to them?
- Barrett
davichan
01-23-2007, 12:04
Heck, I almost totally forgot about Nippon...haven't been there in quite a while, and good to know they're still around. Have you actually taken you Hexar to them?
- Barrett
yes, I have had nippon re-align the hexar for me twice in the 6 years of using it, and also had nippon do a few other tasks from tighting lense barrles to bringing back dead camera's... if yo uhave been there bfore, then you know this place is truly a gem hidden inside NYC.
Shin Oyama
04-10-2008, 06:02
I just had the focus on my Hexar RF adjusted. I also bought a 1.3 magnifier for it. A while back a found a screw that could, with a little work, replace the one that held in the frame preview lever. Before that I used a little bond on the hot shoe that kept falling off.
The magnifier is also a dioper. I do think Konica made any.
This would be a great camera were it better made and if parts were available. But serial # is 1444656, a later and better version.
I have had no back focus problems with Leica lenses. Except for the problems I've mentioned, the camera has held up well since I got it in 2000.
It has traveled with me everywhere. It has been to Paris. It's finish is well worn, showing that it has been put to much use. So far nothing has gone totally wrong.
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