Hexar RF

[FrankS]

The Hexar RF I bought from KevinM arrived in super shape yesterday in time for my weekend visit to my parents. Let me just say that I am mightily impressed by this camera. It feels great in the hand, and exudes quality construction no less than my Leicas.

The .6 mag viewfinder make this camera most suitable for WA up to normal lenses. It's not too loud in operation.

Does anyone know if/where I can find viewfinder diopters (+1 or 2) ?

[SolaresLarrave]

No clue about magnifiers, Frank, but getting used to that kind of VF shouldn't be too difficult. In fact, it's about the same size of the Contax G's.

Congratulations on the purchase! Coming from Kevin I'm sure it looked like new and unused, right?

[FrankS]

Better than described!

I don't think it's a mater of getting used to the lower magnification of the viewfinder Francisco, it's a matter of my poor eyesight needing optical assistance in the form of the proper diopter. Currently, I need the reading portion of my bi-focal eyeglasses to see clearly in the viewfinder.

I have a Summar lens mounted on it for the weekend.

I still have to get used to there being an on/off switch!

[tom_f77]

I think the Hexar's great. I sold mine in the end though; I actually found it a bit heavy to carry in one hand all day, unlike the lighter Leica. Did used to love it with the 28 Ultron though; the world's best point and shoot.

[SolaresLarrave]

I see, Frank... I haven't reached that point... although I do wear bifocals (lineless, sorry).

Can you fashion a magnifier instead? I frankly don't know if Konica ever considered that kind of accesory for the Hexar. If I run into something, I'll let you know right away.

Tom, how heavier than Leica can the Hexanon be? I used to think it was the other way around with Leicas being among the heaviest cameras around.

[tom_f77]

Originally Posted by SolaresLarrave

...Tom, how heavier than Leica can the Hexanon be? I used to think it was the other way around with Leicas being among the heaviest cameras around.

There's not much in it, but it was definitely M6, M3, Hexar in order of weight. It's very solid. Having said that I think the hand fatigue was probably due to the lack of a wind lever to stick your thumb behind rather than the slight extra mass!

Tom

[Lou Iaquinto]

Hi Frank,

I've sent you a PM.

Lou

[RayPA]

Kevin was selling the diopters, too. Wasn't he?

?

[FrankS]

He had a -1 diopter, that's the opposit of what I need, I think.

[amateriat]

Konica definitely made VF diopters for the HRF; finding them might be a bit f a task, however. Being bespectacled myself, I've found the HRF to be reasonably (although not perfectly) eyeglass-friendly, even with those 28mm framelines.


- Barrett

[lewis44]

I'm in the same boat. Would like a +2 Diopter for my Hexar RF. I unscrewed the eyepiece from my M6 and the Konica and they look almost exact, except for the thread. I was thinking of trying to get a leica eyepiece and using my Leica +2, but did not want to damage the thread. Someone with a little more expertise than I may want to look into doing that or figure out the thread difference.

[aizan]

http://www.photostop.net/Hexar.html

they might have the diopter you want, at a price i can only grimace at.

http://www.brooklyncam.com/inventory/konica.shtml

here's a -3 diopter if anyone needs one. $20!

[lewis44]

Aizan,
Thanks, just sent them an email. If I hear back, I'll post the answer for Franks and anyone else that wants one

[Pistach]

I have the same problem with all cameras. In certain cases I found the diopter (I use +3) either from a shop (e.g.BH) or by hunting for months on Ebay (luckily certain cameras have it incorporated). I succeded on Contax S2, Leica M5, Nikon F. Other cameras have diopters of different brands attached with a rubber ring or a tiny piece of scotch magic. Because I will never accept to look at viewfinder wearing my multifocal eyeglass... T

[kevin m]

Unfortunately, you can't "add" a diopter to the Hexar RF, you must replace the entire eyepiece as I believe it's an integral part of the camera's viewing system.


Frank, "photostop" is where I got my -2 diopter only a few months ago, he might still have what you need. He was charging original retail of $49.95 at that time. Still cheaper than a new M diopter.

[Huck Finn]

Originally Posted by tom_f77

There's not much in it, but it was definitely M6, M3, Hexar in order of weight. It's very solid. Having said that I think the hand fatigue was probably due to the lack of a wind lever to stick your thumb behind rather than the slight extra mass!

Tom

The Hexar RF is exactly the same weight as the M6 - 560 grams. I don't know the weight of the titanium version, which may be a little lighter. with a 50 mm lens attached, the Hexar RF is actually a little heavier than the M6 because the M-Hexanon 50/2 (255 g) is heavier than the black Summicron (240 g).

Frank, enjoy the camera. It's a great package!

To me, the greatest disservice to the Hexar RF were the numerous comparisons with the M6. Guess what. It's not an M6. And it's not an M7 either.

The comparison that always got to me was the one about shutter noise. Invariably the final word on it from the Leica point of view was that the shutter sound of the Hexar RF wasn't too bad, but the motor whine ruined "the moment."

Talk about comparing apples & oranges! The Hexar RF is for someone who wants a rangefinder camera with motorized film advance. A legitimate comparison would be to an M6 or M7 with motor attached. Here the Hexar RF wins hands down. It's lighter & more compact than the bulkier Leica set-up with its 1970's technology because its motor is integrated. Either motor is going to add an additional sound. Simply put, the Konica Hexar RF is the best motorized rangefinder film camera ever built.

[tom_f77]

Originally Posted by Huck Finn

...To me, the greatest disservice to the Hexar RF were the numerous comparisons with the M6. Guess what. It's not an M6. And it's not an M7 either.

...Simply put, the Konica Hexar RF is the best motorized rangefinder film camera ever built.

Personally I think one of the best film cameras ever built. I apologise if you thought I was slighting it.

The fact remains that I got cramp from carrying it all day with a 28 Ultron on it but I only sold it in the end when I got a dslr which filled its autoexposure no-wind niche in my house.

Tom

[kevin m]

It's lighter & more compact than the bulkier Leica set-up with its 1970's technology because its motor is integrated.

I remember it being quieter than the Leica motor, too, when I compared them in the camera shop.

It's just such a cool, fun camera. You can shoot as deliberately with it as you can with an M, if you like, but you can also set it on AE, autowind and use it like a point and shoot that just happens to have an M lens mounted.

It's just a sweet camera, and it's a shame all the internet gossip and ill-informed rumor mongering helped do it in. Erwin Puts should be ashamed of himself for writing stuff like this:

No one would buy a Mercedes Benz and will retrofit it with a BMW engine, even if it would fit technically. The characters are too different. So I am proposing that you should use Konica lenses on a onica body, Leica lenses on a Leica body and Voigtlander lenses on a Voigtlander body.

and anyone who believed it should be a teensy-tiny bit ashamed of themselves, too.

[suzi_q]

I bought it thinking magnifying +2 but it wasn't but I couldn't return it because of mean store clerk. So I ended up buying another one -2 and it is so much clear and easy to focus. I don't have digital camera so I don't have picture of it though.

It's not a magnifying eypiece adopter like Leica 1.25x thing-e, the box says "Konica +2D, Lens with adjustable view angle". I think -2 is for far sights and +2 is near sights... or the other way around... hmmm I don't know Anyways, I don't wear glasses and I'm left right 1.5 and -2 diopter works for me just fine.

I paid around $35US. I would sell it if I could but I'm in oversea and shipping might coast and might not worth to have it to think about it(on your side).

Just in case, you can not find anywhere and gotta have it no matter and if this is what you are exactly looking for, I guess I can sell it.

let me know.

[Huck Finn]

Originally Posted by tom_f77

Personally I think one of the best film cameras ever built. I apologise if you thought I was slighting it.

The fact remains that I got cramp from carrying it all day with a 28 Ultron on it but I only sold it in the end when I got a dslr which filled its autoexposure no-wind niche in my house.

Tom

Tom, I apoligize. I was responding to your point about camera weight.

I then tagged an another comment which was in general intended to congratulate Frank for his purchase & to highlight some of the features of the Hexar RF, which IMO have been underrated. Those comments had nothing to do with your post & should not have been included with a reply to it.

I should have made 2 separate posts, but I was rushing. Again. my apologies. No disrespect was intended.

[FrankS]

What a great group of folks here!

Lou is sending me a +1 diopter. If that doesn't do the trick, I'll let you know, Suzi!

This HRF is not going to replace my M bodies. There will be times when I will prefer the characterisics of an M, and times when the HRF will be best.

Thank you all.

[Pablito]

Congratulations, Frank, my only advice would be to be very careful not to knock it against anything and avoid shaking it, or vibrations, etc because the rangefinder has a tendency to slip out of alignment, especially vertical alignment. My Hexar went to Konica USA several times for this and finally the repair person admitted to me it was almost impossible to maintain vertical alignment. With any luck, yours is from later on in the production run and perhaps Konica addressed this problem. Mine is now sold. Best of luck,

[tom_f77]

Originally Posted by Pablito

Congratulations, Frank, my only advice would be to be very careful not to knock it against anything and avoid shaking it, or vibrations, etc because the rangefinder has a tendency to slip out of alignment, especially vertical alignment. My Hexar went to Konica USA several times for this and finally the repair person admitted to me it was almost impossible to maintain vertical alignment. With any luck, yours is from later on in the production run and perhaps Konica addressed this problem. Mine is now sold. Best of luck,

If the worst comes to the worst, the instructions in the repair forum here are comprehensive and accurate! Or at least, they worked for me...

Tom

[lewis44]

John @ Photoshop emailed me. He has only a -3 Diopter left

[pvdhaar]

Originally Posted by Pablito

Congratulations, Frank, my only advice would be to be very careful not to knock it against anything and avoid shaking it, or vibrations, etc because the rangefinder has a tendency to slip out of alignment, especially vertical alignment. My Hexar went to Konica USA several times for this and finally the repair person admitted to me it was almost impossible to maintain vertical alignment. With any luck, yours is from later on in the production run and perhaps Konica addressed this problem. Mine is now sold. Best of luck,

Somewhere along the line, they started adding a drop of a waxlike substance over the wheel that carries the excenter. It stays in place fine, but if you do need to turn it, you'll be having quality time with an X-acto knife.. Been there, done that..