Berliner
Well-known
I brought my Hexar RF to Amsterdam last weekend, and had a strikingly clear realization while walking down Harlemerstraat in a pouring rain on my search for marzipan & cheese. What a great camera!
First, AEL. It rained the entire time I was there—it always does, but I love the city just the same, so I was not going to let that slow me down. I had to shoot fast, while shielding my camera under my mac in between shots, so with a 35mm hyperfocused for f. 8, the clear 35mm brightlines, and AEL set, I could quickly meter and recompose to shoot. Auto wind also is a blessing, and the noise of the shutter/wind is negligible, even while ‘hip-shooting’ people looking at art in quiet museums/galleries.
Since I brought 100, 400, & 800 B&W, and colour film with me, I had it set to DX, so as day turned to night, I could reload with the desired speed super quick, not having to worry about under/over exposing entire rolls.
The Hexar was kept in the ‘on’ position, set to ‘continuous wind”, under my mac for the better part of three days. The batteries—about 9 months old now, still show full power. The very wet conditions didn’t cause the camera to balk at all, either. I was very impressed. And speaking of being impressed--The rain forced me indoors for some of the time but I caught a GREAT exhibit on Weegee at FOAM--highly recommended! Spent most of the day there…
Oh, and to bring this full circle, I did finally find the most delectable marzipans, and a very nice Old Edam...
First, AEL. It rained the entire time I was there—it always does, but I love the city just the same, so I was not going to let that slow me down. I had to shoot fast, while shielding my camera under my mac in between shots, so with a 35mm hyperfocused for f. 8, the clear 35mm brightlines, and AEL set, I could quickly meter and recompose to shoot. Auto wind also is a blessing, and the noise of the shutter/wind is negligible, even while ‘hip-shooting’ people looking at art in quiet museums/galleries.
Since I brought 100, 400, & 800 B&W, and colour film with me, I had it set to DX, so as day turned to night, I could reload with the desired speed super quick, not having to worry about under/over exposing entire rolls.
The Hexar was kept in the ‘on’ position, set to ‘continuous wind”, under my mac for the better part of three days. The batteries—about 9 months old now, still show full power. The very wet conditions didn’t cause the camera to balk at all, either. I was very impressed. And speaking of being impressed--The rain forced me indoors for some of the time but I caught a GREAT exhibit on Weegee at FOAM--highly recommended! Spent most of the day there…
Oh, and to bring this full circle, I did finally find the most delectable marzipans, and a very nice Old Edam...
Krosya
Konicaze
Great story! I love Amsterdam too. In any weather. It's been a while since I went there last, and I miss it. Please post some of your photos!!!!!! What lens did you use?
Can't wait to see your results if you'd be so kind to share them!.
Can't wait to see your results if you'd be so kind to share them!.
akptc
Shoot first, think later
What a cool story, made me hungry *and* wanting to travel! Now I can't wait to see Europe again, it's been way too long... of course the Hexars will come with me when I go 
Berliner
Well-known
I'll post some photos in a couple days. I used the 35 ASPH Summicron,--I pack very light, but I always take a 35. Usually on an M6--I'l love to get my hands on a 35 Hexanon just to put on the Hexar.
Also, there's a Magnum Photography exhibit opening at the Stedelijk Museum next month...I'll be going back beore it ends...
Also, there's a Magnum Photography exhibit opening at the Stedelijk Museum next month...I'll be going back beore it ends...
sam_m
Well-known
Please excuse my ignorance, but do you mean you used a laptop computer to shield your camera from the rain, or is a mac something else?
Berliner
Well-known
Mac(kintosh)-raincoat.
amateriat
We're all light!
Yep, just like the line in the Beatles' "Penny Lane": "And the banker never wears a mac/in the pouring rain/Very strange.."
(I like, and use, those other Macs, too.)
Berliner: very much looking forward to seeing your photos. Sounds like serendipitous fun!
- Barrett
(I like, and use, those other Macs, too.)
Berliner: very much looking forward to seeing your photos. Sounds like serendipitous fun!
- Barrett
pvdhaar
Peter
I found this the most striking characteristic of the Hexars, both AF and RF. You need to put a battery in, but they don't use it. Well, maybe they do, but going on for 100 rolls of film is rule rather than exception. Konica certainly knew how to design a camera.. what a shame they're no longer building them anymore!Berliner said:
Cron
Well-known
hands up for the Hexar and looking forward to see some of your pics
sam_m
Well-known
Berliner said:
Got it. .
Peter A (NYC)
Established
Good to know the Hexar can take some humidity. I usually leave electric cameras at home when it is raining.
Berliner
Well-known
Peter--
That was my biggest worry...but I think people tend to seriously under estimated this camera's 'ruggedness'...prior to last weekend, I know I did.
That was my biggest worry...but I think people tend to seriously under estimated this camera's 'ruggedness'...prior to last weekend, I know I did.
amateriat
We're all light!
My Hexars have seen some rain, been buried in snow, and handled some interesting extremes of cold without protest. In other words, the sort of things one expects a pro-grade camera to handle.
As I once tried to say to a shop owner/collector who sneered at my HRFs (paraphrasing a Mae West line): Leicas go onto the mantelpiece; Hexars go everywhere.
(Leica folk, relax: I was having more of a dig at the collector than the marque)
- Barrett
As I once tried to say to a shop owner/collector who sneered at my HRFs (paraphrasing a Mae West line): Leicas go onto the mantelpiece; Hexars go everywhere.
(Leica folk, relax: I was having more of a dig at the collector than the marque)
- Barrett
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