Would it be Crazy to ....

helenhill said:
Thank You Brian for your thoughts...

arghhh...Yes looked up Nikkor RF 21 prices / crazy prices

Igor cameras has this which is possibly an F version one can use per your suggestion , F to S adapter ??
Nikor-O 2.1cm/4 #223919, retrofocus, Nikon NKT 2.1cm Finder, UV filter, caps, Mint $645.

Starting to feel anxious thinking about selling equipment, so maybe a CL or Hexar is the way to go
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Voigtlander made F-S adapters a while ago, all sold out. If you can find one- yes, you can use it.

BUT- It will not be RF coupled, which for a 21mm is unnecessary.
The F-Mount 21 is usually found with the external viewfinder that mounts over the rewind Knob of the F and F2.
You "could" pick up a Nikon F or Nikkormat and just dedicate it to the 21 in F-Mount. Metal Shutters.

OR- pick up the Voigtlander 21 in S-Mount.
 
When the Leica M6 came out I ran into the Leica store and traded in my M4. Before 6 months was out I hated it so much I traded up to the Konica RF, even trade. I loved that camera. One issue I had I was that the RF would never stay in alignment (which was a well documented issue back then). I sent it back under warranty twice the 1st year. Second time it came back the Techs included a copy of the repair manual on how to adjust the RF if I wanted to do it myself. So for the next year or two I would adjust the RF every few months. After awhile I got tired of that and just stuck a VC 21mm lens on it and used zone focusing. Didn't use an auxiliary VF, the body VF gave a good enough guesstimate. I shot it that way for years (decades) until it looked like we went through WWII together. Finally since I had an M4 and had bought an M8 I sold it. In someways I still miss it though. With the wide angle, AE, and small size it was a great street shooter.
 
Helen, I wouldn’t look for a Hexar RF for the reasons stated by Al. The Nikon S2 is one route that would make sense. But so would looking for a Voigtlander Bessa. The Bessa R2A is a poor person’s M7, and is a really reliable performer. It’s got a really nice VF and the metering is reliable. Or you can ignore the meter and guesstimate exposure. And it’s smaller and lighter than a Leica M. And it’s an M-mount camera so you could use both your SA LTM (w/ an adapter) and your Biogon 35.
 
If you've never used a Contax or Nikon RF you may find it very difficult to get used to. I had both the Nikon S2 and Voigtlander Nikon RF and just could never quite get used them after using Leica for decades. I really wouldn't worry about the Hexar RF needing service, if it works it'll probably work forever. As much as I abused mine nothing ever failed on it. Plus for street shooting you just can't beat auto wind, AE, and the small size.
 
The Nikon 3.5cm F2.5 is the very close to the Summaron F2.8, but has higher contrast. I had both, kept the Nikkor. I have it in both LTM and S-Mount. The latter takes much easier to find 43mm filters.

On the S2- at 1/1000ths the shutter speed dial is slightly raised- normal, but unique to that camera.
 
I wish I could be optimistic about buying a hexar rf - my error code was the shutter advance motor - so unusable - no one was able to fix it as Minolta & Konica had merged
& there was no factory service or parts available for it - quite a while after I sold it there was someone in Hong Kong fixing them - but they wanted it sent uninsured for customs purposes
after quite a few years I sold it as a parts body - it looked brand new - probably less than 100 rolls shot .
I have a Leica monochrom now and at some point it will go the same way - there are no sensors available currently for it .
I still have & use my Nikon s2 from 1956 - purchased in 1973 used - and it can still be repaired .
so I would spend the $1600 on an m2 body if I had the 35 biogon & 21 super angulon as you already have the lenses and the m2 lever rewind no self timer is my favorite Leica .
when the monochrom dies - if film is still available - ill go that way .
 
I have to chime in because this topic is so agonizing...the choice presented closely mirrors my own indecisive struggle whenever I load up to go take photos.

First the easy part--I'd stay away from the Hexar RF. Once those electronics go, it's gone. Bricked. A door stop. I've never used one, but I can't imagine the user experience being that much better than one of the new Voigtlander/Cosina Bessas or a Nikon S2 (or S3 or SP for that matter) to justify the risk. Buying a potential brick is a non-starter for me.

But now comes the agonizing choice: Nikon RF or Voigtlander RF? My Nikons are my favorite camera systems for sure. I have an S, S2, and an S3. The S2 is, in my opinion, the finest RF ever made if you're a dedicated 50mm shooter. I do like to go as wide as 35mm, so that's why I usually choose my S3 to take out. Great user cameras.

But so too are the Bessas. I have a Bessa R. I think it's the equal or superior to a Leica in most respects save one: build quality. It shoots great, the viewfinder is spectacular, and it's lightweight. It's that lightweight that's the problem. I just feel that it's more fragile than my Nikons...but it does give me the flexibility to shoot ltm lenses--I have a beautiful Jupiter-8 that's just about perfect. Plus, I can carry that, the camera body, and the 35mm f2.5 Color-Skopar with an extra roll of film pretty much in a pocket of my Dockers and I'm expedition-ready. The Nikons are far heavier.

But it sounds to me like one of the Bessas would be a good choice. It would allow you to use that 21mm ltm lens with either guesswork using the widest of its in-finder framelines, or with a super keen Voigtlander external 21mm finder. Thus, even though I personally prefer a Nikon RF, I think you could choose with confidence one of the Bessas and not be disappointed.

Glad I got that off my chest. I prefer the Nikon, but often agonize over not using the Bessa. This thread was like film photo therapy, thank you!
 
james.liam said:
Helen, why in Heaven's name did you liquidate your M bodies? Your images suggest you're a specialist in its application.
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hmmm, I suppose some level of insanity... giggles

Perhaps I am just tired of lots of things...
Rode the 'Leica' wave for quite sometime, reaped some rewards, learned alot

Perhaps it's time to invest i n something new, more challenging or fulfilling

i really have no idea

Thanks James !
 
bluesun267 said:
Hi Helen,
It took me 2 tries to warm up to the Hexar RF. Bought one in 2018, sold it, then re-bought another last year. Now I wouldn't want to be without one. Neither had any hint of electronic problems (knock on wood), though this last body needed a viewfinder adjustment which was no problem for me as I am used to servicing my own stuff. I love the 1/4000 top speed, the aperture priority, and the very straightforward way of doing exposure lock. And the auto winding. Something about this camera just gels=easy and carefree. I think you'll run into troubles the minute you start comparing it to a Leica M though, because it is not in the same league. But it is in a very good league of its own! I also have the IIIg and alternate between the two. Of course the Hexar has the benefit of taking both types of lenses with adapters. Best, Timoleon
Click to expand...

After much thought ... pros and cons
I will not do a Hexar just like I never did the Leica M7
Dependent on batteries and if electronics die it's dead

Your Blessed to have a working magic shooting Hexar !
 
Bingley said:
Helen, I wouldn’t look for a Hexar RF for the reasons stated by Al. The Nikon S2 is one route that would make sense. But so would looking for a Voigtlander Bessa. The Bessa R2A is a poor person’s M7, and is a really reliable performer. It’s got a really nice VF and the metering is reliable. Or you can ignore the meter and guesstimate exposure. And it’s smaller and lighter than a Leica M. And it’s an M-mount camera so you could use both your SA LTM (w/ an adapter) and your Biogon 35.
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Hi Steve

Perhaps a Nikkor rf ...new way of thinking , rendering of different lenses
Thanks for your thoughts ...
 
Beemermark said:
When the Leica M6 came out I ran into the Leica store and traded in my M4. Before 6 months was out I hated it so much I traded up to the Konica RF, even trade. I loved that camera. One issue I had I was that the RF would never stay in alignment (which was a well documented issue back then). I sent it back under warranty twice the 1st year. Second time it came back the Techs included a copy of the repair manual on how to adjust the RF if I wanted to do it myself. So for the next year or two I would adjust the RF every few months. After awhile I got tired of that and just stuck a VC 21mm lens on it and used zone focusing. Didn't use an auxiliary VF, the body VF gave a good enough guesstimate. I shot it that way for years (decades) until it looked like we went through WWII together. Finally since I had an M4 and had bought an M8 I sold it. In someways I still miss it though. With the wide angle, AE, and small size it was a great street shooter.
Click to expand...

I will pass on the Hexar... I do not need any more headaches in life

I liked the classic M6 (gave one to Eric for his birthday many yrs ago)
but if I had to have a meter preferred the M5 , old style x needle

The lure of ergonomics and cameras...

Thanks for your insights
 
shawn said:
You might like the R4A anyway since the finder combines the 21 and 35mm frame lines together.... Shawn
Click to expand...

That would be my first candidate. But I like the proper framelines. Also gives the option for a 50. Though I've never used one.

Agree it's a real bummer about used M prices. I'm considering a second one for faster film, but everything has about doubled. Of course, once you've got one you're done (maybe).

John
 
Sounds like we need a shopping list of must-have Nikon Lenses...

5cm F1.4, wide-open on the Nikon S3.

nikki3a.jpg


nikki1a.jpg


The S3 and S4 are great for 5cm lenses if you wear glasses, can see the whole frame- the S2, have to look around for it.

Prices on the S3-2000 are below where the Classic S3's used to go for. They will be 40 years newer.
 
This is with the LTM Nikkor 2.8cm F3.5, I have the same lens in S-Mount. The Pair of them cost $600.



The S-Mount version uses much easier to find 43mm filters. The SP has the secondary finder for the 28mm frame. So does the KMZ Turret finder.
 
JohnWolf said:
That would be my first candidate. But I like the proper framelines. Also gives the option for a 50. Though I've never used one.

Agree it's a real bummer about used M prices. I'm considering a second one for faster film, but everything has about doubled. Of course, once you've got one you're done (maybe).

John
Click to expand...

Instead of the R4A, the R4M is the same camera except not electronic dependent
 
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