Got a Hexar RF YAY!

[Bobfrance]

Just had to tell somebody.

Unfortunately I don't have any lenses for it yet.

Any tips or reccomendations on (economical) lens choices from fellow Hexar users?

Bob.

[Chris Lynch]

i've got a 40mm M-Rokkor (CLE version) on mine, and it whoops up- great performer, and looks good on it too.


Although a nice cheap Jupiter 8 is good too

[Krosya]

Well, but of course the Hexanon lenses!

[rpsawin]

The Hexanon lenses can be found at very reasonable prices and CV lenses represent an excellent value as well. You are really limited by budget.

Best regards,

Bob

[popstar]

Congratulations on the camera. You have reason to be happy!

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the input guys!

A Hexanon lens would be very nice, but whilst cheaper than Leica glass they seem to be getting dearer/more popular.

Kuvvy (RFF member) has just lent me a 40mm Rokkor. I'm looking forward to giving that a go.

I'm currently stalking ebay, but I may well keep my powder dry and, if nothing tempting comes up, go for a new CV lens.

How much are leica screw mount adaptors? A jupiter 8 may well be an interesting short-term option.

[mackigator]

Many of my favorite shots come from one lens. The M-Hexanon 50/f2.0. That's where I'd start:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Konica-M-Hexanon...QQcmdZViewItem

[jaffa_777]

Ohhhh get the Konica Hexar 50mm f1.2

[FrankS]

You'll love this camera. The AE is seductive however, and I find that it turns me into a lazy photographer.

On my Hexar RF, the lenses I use most on it are:

Elmar 50f3.5 (or FSU equivalent) collapses into camera
CV 50f2.5 compact
CV 40f1.4 low light capable (altered to bring up 35mm framelines)
Canon 28 f3.5 compact

[oscroft]

How much are leica screw mount adaptors?

The ones made by Voigtlander cost £29 plus VAT from Robert White, or $55 from CameraQuest.

[foto_fool]

Originally Posted by jaffa_777

Ohhhh get the Konica Hexar 50mm f1.2

HA!!!! Yes, this is the most likely lens you will find for the Hexar RF - NOT! What about the Konica 60/1.2? Or the Pentax 43/1.9? Right, I thought so.

Recommendations for less expensive glass: Any of the Canon LTM's with adapter (though the 35/1.5 and 50/0.95 are pricey), a clean M-Summarit, but most of all the Hexanon 50/2, or the CV 40/1.4 if you need more speed.

What is my Hexar wearing right now? The ZM Sonnar C. If you can get a properly-adjusted Jupiter 3 and LTM adapter it will run you about about 20% of the cost of the new Sonnar and get you most of the performance (less contrast and flare resistance).

- John

[jaffa_777]

I know John, sorry not practical. But I saw this today and started drooling.

[kevin m]

I miss my RF. I think Frank has it now, so I know it has a good home.

The Hexanon lenses are really good, but some are becoming a bit 'collectible' and their price/performance ratio is going away a bit. (I'm thinking of the Hexanon 35/2 I had, in particular.) The lens I had a LOT of fun shooting with the RF was the VC 21/4. The autowind and huge depth of field made for a quick shooting set up.

[furcafe]

Congrats.

For me, because the Hexar RF has such a low magnification VF (0.6x), 28mm & 35mm lenses are the natural choices. The Cosina Voigtlander 28 & 35 Ultrons come to mind as economical & excellent-performing choices.

Originally Posted by Bobfrance

Just had to tell somebody.

Unfortunately I don't have any lenses for it yet.

Any tips or reccomendations on (economical) lens choices from fellow Hexar users?

Bob.

[alan davus]

If you've got US$870 to spare grab one of the Hex 35 UC ltm's from Matsuiyastore. There's one on their website "brand new no used". The CV 35 Ultron is another excellent lens. Or why not be one of the first to purchase a new Summarit. ( It's great fun spending other peoples money.) By the way the Hexar is a great camera. Most of the pundits of doom never had one. Just hope it doesn't break down. But it definitely is a quality product.

[principe azul]

I do like the 35 Ultron, too. I'd like to justify a Nokton, but I'd want to keep my Ultron, too. I gather they're similar performers from f/1.7...

Enjoy your RF, Bob. And a shutter capable of f/2.8 with Acros in full sunlight - or shooting a Noctilux wide open in the shade. Framelines for 35 are just shy of the M4, which, along with the M2, has more accurate 35 framelines than later Ms - one of the reasons I went for an M4 over an M6.

[Peter_Jones]

Nice one, Bob.

A J8 with adaptor won't break the bank and should give respectable results and time to find some more exotic lenses.

[hofrench@mac.co]

A sample image from the Hexanon 50 f/2 shot with the Hexar. I love this camera and lens combo, and there are many more images taken with it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aglimps...rld/968747062/

[mfunnell]

I like the M-Hexanon lenses on a Hexar RF:



The 50 is relatively easy to find and not too expensive but the others seem harder to come by at a good price. (The only M-Hex 35 I've seen is the one I picked up from a forum member.) I think the 50 can produce a decent result:



...Mike

[Bobfrance]

Nice shots guys.

I can't see any Jupiter 8 Lenses on ebay at the moment. Are there any other sources for them?

I'm currently watching a CV 35mm Skopar Pancake lens on ebay. This attaracts me due to it's slimness and the fact that the 35mm lines are just right in the finder for a glasses wearer. I could probably afford to buy one of these new to get me up and running.

I also fancy something like a 50/1.5 Nokton for low light stuff. I've got my eye on a Canon 50/1.4 at the moment, but it's screw mount so I'll need an adaptor for it.

Now I have such high shutter speeds avaialabe I'm really looking forward to shooting wide open in daylight.

[kuvvy]

Bob
Why not consider buying a Zorki 4 / 4k. These tend to come with the Jupiter 8 at decent prices. that way you get two toys for the price of one.

Paul

[aizan]

that's a nice one, mr. funnell. what film did you use?

[mfunnell]

Originally Posted by aizan

that's a nice one, mr. funnell. what film did you use?

Thanks! The street scene was Kodak Porta 800. I'd not used it before - and I rather like it. I've been unimpressed with other colour 800 film I've tried (Fuji Pro800Z being the best of a bad lot). The lens shot was ( ) digital.

...Mike

[Bobfrance]

Well I took it out for a little test-run this weekend.

I certainly enjoyed using it. The camera has a nice feel apart from the lugs for the strap being in the wrong place. Still got quite a few exposures left on the roll so no pics yet I'm afraid.

A quick question. Does anybody know if it is possible to obtain replacement rear glass for the viewfinder? I notice it screws out and mine's al little scratched (not that it affect visibility at all).

[amateriat]

Originally Posted by Bobfrance

A quick question. Does anybody know if it is possible to obtain replacement rear glass for the viewfinder? I notice it screws out and mine's al little scratched (not that it affect visibility at all).

Replacement eyepieces tend to be rather thin on the ground, unfortunately. They have turned up here and there, though.

Congrats on getting that Hexar. I think you'll like it "lots."


- Barrett