Found a brand new Hexar RF yesterday

[moden1223]

I think this is actually my first post here. I couldn't keep this one to myself.

As I was looking around my local camera shop yesterday, something caught my eye.

-"Is that a Hexar RF?" I asked the owner. "Who traded it in?"

-"No one, It's new." he replied.

-"Really? How much?" I asked.

-"Does $600 sound good?" he answered.

-"I'll take it!" I said. Obviously.

I've always wanted one of these. More than any Leica M, or any other film rangefinder from any other manufacturer. This was the one I wanted to own someday. And what's more, this one was never sold. And it's the whole kit. Red velvet box with the 50/2, flash, etc... The battery is still sealed in a plastic bag, for crying out loud.

So for $600, I am the proud owner of a brand-new, 10+ year-old Hexar RF.

Good deal, I think.

[FrozenInTime]

wow! great find

I'm sure the lens is worth more than that alone.

[Araakii]

crazy deal

[digitalintrigue]

Ok where is this store? I want to shop there.

[maddoc]

Great deal !!

The only NOS HEXAR that I found was the limited special edition with the 50/1.2 lens .... for 336000JPY ...

[Jobin]

I want a Hexar How is the build quality? I have never had the privilege to hold one.

[amyukie]

reading this drives me crazy

[PatrickCheung]

lucky you! congrats! I love mine :P

[SaxonIV]

I thought I might find you posting here. Congratulations Max. I sure hope you don't baby that thing. I'd like you to actually use it!

[mfunnell]

Originally Posted by Jobin

I want a Hexar How is the build quality? I have never had the privilege to hold one.

The build quality is excellent. Really. The viewfinder and rangefinder are ever-so-slightly inferior to Leica VF/RFs, and more easily knocked out of alignment (or so the internet story has it: mine are just fine and always have been). But otherwise, they feel great in the hand and do a wonderful job. I liked mine so much I bought a 2nd one, just in case... My very favourite RF. (Well, almost. On alternate weeks my M3 is my very favourite RF. But it's close!)

...Mike

[sniki]

What a lucy catch!

[Moriturii]

You lucky, good on you! I love my Hexar RF, bought it a year ago, it's the one camera I will never part with, I am so fond of it I am looking to buy a second one just cuz...

[Jobin]

As much as I hate to admit it, I'd love AE.

[Richard G]

A nice one was going second hand with a 50 f2 in central Melbourne for just $1900. So very very well done. What a singular pleasure to open up all of that. Was it lost on the back shelf for most of those ten years?

[zerobuttons]

Originally Posted by Jobin

I want a Hexar How is the build quality? I have never had the privilege to hold one.

The build quality is good. There is one well-known problem with these, however: rangefinder adjustment going astray.

I got mine, also with the 50/2 lens and flash, for about the same price as the OP, in mint condition with the velvet box. After a year I had to have the rangefinder adjustment fixed by Will Manen in Holland. It has worked fine since then, two years ago.

These have gone up recently. In many cases you see Hexar RF bodies alone go for more than the OP paid for the NOS complete kit.

[klapka]

That is one lucky find for the price. I had such a find once - last year for the same 600$ I bought a Leica CL + Summicron-C in great condition. And was also thinking the 40mm Summicrone alone was worth it. I use it on my M2 mostly and the CL body went to my brother as a gift.
Hexar is a great camera I used to have one (mine was an unlucky one - ended with the blinking "10" after the very fist day of shooting and was returned back to the store) the most advanced back door lock I've ever seen! It's bult quality is up to leica's if not better.
Congrats!

[Sputnick]

For that price I'd have bought it myself as a backup body.

The rangefinder on mine has never needed adjusting and I've had it for close to 10 years now.

Enjoy it. I love mine.

[gavinlg]

Oh man, great catch...

[whitecat]

How much was it when it came out?

[hlockwood]

Originally Posted by whitecat

How much was it when it came out?

$1950 in Feb. 2000, when I bought my kit.

Harry

[whitecat]

A bargain indeed!

[kanzlr]

wow, excellent!

I have the same set (+ the 90 and 28) and I vastly prefer it to any Leica I ever had, mostly due to ergonomics and how it feels in the hand.

But I have to admit that while the body is superbly made, the rangefinder is a bit harder to focus precisely than on the M, if only slightly so (less contrast I think).

If you like to use the 90 or even want to be a bit more accurate with the 50, I recommend the ms-mag viewfinder adapter that japanexposures sell. It is € 36,-- or something like that and allows to screw in Leica (and 3rd party) viewfinder magnifier lenses. Very handy with the 90.

[pinkarmy]

Originally Posted by moden1223

-"Does $600 sound good?" he answered.

...my eyes bleed...

[Nigel Meaby]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Ok where is this store? I want to shop there.

It's the camera store where the owner only has one hand now

[Cron]

what a great find!