Hexar RF error code 10: UK repairs? RF reliability?

[SimonPJ]

My Hexar RF ground to a halt showing error code 10 last week. It was at the end of a holiday in Greece, and the camera had shot about thirty rolls during the previous two weeks. Very frustrating. It was the first time I had used the RF exclusively, rather than my Leicas, and the combination of being able to use wider apertures in the bright conditions, the lower magnification finder providing a better view of what's going on around the frame, and the motorised winding and loading - had convinced me that I'd rather use it for daytime holiday shooing than a Leica.

Then it died...

Is there any way to recover the camera from error code 10? I have tried removing the batteries until the lcd display no longer shows and then replacing them - but the flashing '10' remains.

If not, is there anyone / anywhere in the UK who can repair the RF?

If not, how does one go about getting the repair done in Japan?

Or - would I be better off finding a replacement RF? Do RF's which have developed faults continue to develop more faults?

And, finally - how common are these 'terminal' faults on the RF? How realistic is it to expect to be able to use the RF as a primary camera for the foreseeable future?

Thanks!

Simon

[hlockwood]

Originally Posted by SimonPJ

My Hexar RF ground to a halt showing error code 10 last week. It was at the end of a holiday in Greece, and the camera had shot about thirty rolls during the previous two weeks. Very frustrating. It was the first time I had used the RF exclusively, rather than my Leicas, and the combination of being able to use wider apertures in the bright conditions, the lower magnification finder providing a better view of what's going on around the frame, and the motorised winding and loading - had convinced me that I'd rather use it for daytime holiday shooing than a Leica.

Then it died...

Is there any way to recover the camera from error code 10? I have tried removing the batteries until the lcd display no longer shows and then replacing them - but the flashing '10' remains.

If not, is there anyone / anywhere in the UK who can repair the RF?

If not, how does one go about getting the repair done in Japan?

Or - would I be better off finding a replacement RF? Do RF's which have developed faults continue to develop more faults?

And, finally - how common are these 'terminal' faults on the RF? How realistic is it to expect to be able to use the RF as a primary camera for the foreseeable future?

Thanks!

Simon

Dirk Roesler: http://www.japanexposures.com/

He does a great job.

Harry

[SimonPJ]

I just submitted an enquiry via Dirk Roesler's site. But it does look from his 'Services' page as if he is not currently offering his repair service. I'll post back when I receive a response from him.

Best,

Simon

[chikne]

Try JPS they use to be in charge of the repairs in the UK:

http://www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk/J...lutions_17.php

Best of luck.

[klapka]

I had similar story with my RF - blinking "10" after having unpacked it and shot 5 frames. Was really unhappy. JapanExposures told me the shutter powering plate need to be replaced. Said they could do it for 9000 yens. But I have just returned the camera to the seller, a great guy - offered me a full refund. Bought a Leica M6ttl instead and it worked properly for about a year, now Sherry is repairing it's shutter shield light leak.
So.. any camera can fail, at least any my camera... And it is sad.

[Robin Harrison]

Any luck, Simon? I've tried three places looking for somewhere to repair my RF, and they've all said 'no can do' as they can't get the parts.

[SimonPJ]

Japan Exposures is not handling repairs at the moment. I had a reply from them saying to try again in a couple of weeks time, so I'm hoping that they're only on a summer break.

Other places that I have tried have said that parts are no longer available from Sony (Konica Minolta).

Best,

Simon

[twopointeight]

I had a flashing 11 several years ago. Greg Weber couldn't get parts. I sent it to Sony in Tokyo via a friend there. The camera was repaired for $200, a flat fee they said for all RF repairs. I haven't had any problems since. Not sure if Sony still services the RF?

[SimonPJ]

Just to provide an update on my experience finding a repair for my Hexar RF - and some good news for continued availability of RF repairs.

I eventually sent it to Bellamy Hunt at Japan Camera Hunter:

http://www.japancamerahunter.com/

Bellamy forwarded it to Sony (Konica Minolta) for the repair. The original estmate to repair the 'Error Code 10' problem was ¥15,000 - plus Bellamy's ¥5,000 handling fee.

However - after examining the camera Sony said it needed full replacement of the shutter system, rather then replacement of the one part normally associated with the Error Code 10 fault. The price for this was almost double the original estimate, at ¥29,125 (plus than handling fee).

So eventually it was more expensive than expected - but still not excessively expensive. And hopefully the new shutter mechanism will have some good life in it.

Bellamy Hunt's service was excellent - and speedy too. The whole process from shipping from the UK to Japan, to receiving the repaired camera back took exactly one month.

Cheers,

Simon

[dct]

Originally Posted by SimonPJ

Just to provide an update on my experience finding a repair for my Hexar RF - and some good news for continued availability of RF repairs. ...
...
... Bellamy Hunt's service was excellent - and speedy too. The whole process from shipping from the UK to Japan, to receiving the repaired camera back took exactly one month.

Cheers,

Simon

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is nice to know there are still ways to repair my HRF if it would fail (touch wood).