Recommendation?

[iankylemartin]

Hey everyone I am thinking about investing in just a semi cheap RF camera, and I’ve done a little searching around and I’m thinking about investing in a Bessa R2a or in Konica Hexar RF. I was wondering if anyone would recommend these cameras? Or, if you could recommend something else but nothing to pricey.
Cheers,
Ian

 

[funkaoshi]

I have an R2A and quite like it. Its certainly a good choice. It pretty well built, and has a very nice view finder. The rewind crank is wicked quick. Film loading is like that of most modern film cameras, so it's easy to do quickly. I haven't had any problems with mine yet.

Hexar RF is supposed to be quite nice, though I've been told the rewind motor is noisy.

 

[bmattock]

What are your plans for this camera? I think that a lot of questions should probably be asked before making a recommendation. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of us reciting our own personal favorites.

 

[89rzweig]

I am with bmattock -- it really depends on what you want to do with the camera. I, for example, after using the digital Epson R-D1s for some time wanted to get a film rangefinder. I was originally thinking on buying Bessa R3A, but ended up with Bessa T, which makes quite a different picture taking experience than R2A or R3A or the digital Epson. It really depends on how and to some extent what kind of pictures you want to take.

-P.

 

[iankylemartin]

What are your plans for this camera? I think that a lot of questions should probably be asked before making a recommendation. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of us reciting our own personal favorites.

There’s not a general plan for the camera but I guess portability is always important as I like to always take a camera with me where ever I go. But, I primarily focus on candid portraits and street photography in general.
Ian

 

[drewbarb]

The biggest reason not to get the Hexar RF is the fact that almost nobody in the world can service it now, since Konica/Minolta is out of business. For an all electronic camera, this is a tough spot to be in. I'd happily buy one if I found such a screaming deal that I could gamble against it dying soon, but otherwise... It's a shame to see such a fine camera orphaned.

 

[89rzweig]

Ian,

being you I would then look for a camera, that's quite sturdy, relatively small, not an eye catcher and with bigger effective rangefinder base, because you're likely to use fast lenses wide open and for accurate focusing with these lenses the bigger the EBL the better. Or if the EBL is smaller, then if there is a magnifier eye-piece available for the particular camera.

I can't comment on Konica. I never had it in my hands, I just saw it in camera shop. But I went through the same when choosing my Bessa. Have look at the Bessa chart at cameraquest's web site, where you can find all the details about Voigtlanders.

Regards,

-P.

 

[iankylemartin]

The biggest reason not to get the Hexar RF is the fact that almost nobody in the world can service it now, since Konica/Minolta is out of business. For an all electronic camera, this is a tough spot to be in. I'd happily buy one if I found such a screaming deal that I could gamble against it dying soon, but otherwise... It's a shame to see such a fine camera orphaned.

That was the problem i am stuck in.. I have a deal but i am pretty worried about having to get my camera serviced down the line. But since i've been timid to go through with buying the Hexar RF I'm leaning more so to the Bessa but i'll still wait to see if people have any more input.