About latest AE M mount cameras...

[Juan Valdenebro]

Let's see how many of us are using these great cameras...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Keith]

I have two ... my Zeiss Ikon, which I believe is the best AE M mount camera made to date, and my Bessa R4A.

I was going to include my M8 ... but it doesn't count because it's digital!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I have two ... my Zeiss Ikon, which I believe is the best AE M mount camera made to date, and my Bessa R4A.

I was going to include my M8 ... but it doesn't count because it's digital!

Great cameras, Keith!

One day I'll get an AE M... These days my most expensive buy is called "film roll"...

I left Hexar and CLE as the last option because they've been around for long and there are some repair (lack of parts) problems... It'll be interesting to see how much the newer models have come into scene...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[maddoc]

I had a Hexar RF for some time and it was a great camera, no problems at all except for the lens lock release button that could be pressed to easily ... Also the noisy motorized film advance was a nuisance at times ..

The M7 has a slightly better meter (from my experience) and VF but lacks the fast shutter speeds. My copy has been twice to Leica now for repair, not something that I would expect from a $4000 (if bought new) camera ....

 

[Vickko]

You have to include the M8 / M9 as an AE camera, that uses M lenses.

 

[Vickko]

My other AE M is a Pana GF1

 

[Krosya]

Hexar RF all the way! Just awsome! Dont need any other AE. When I go all manual thats when I use Bessa R3M or Leica .

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I think it's a great camera even if its finder is not the biggest one and even if it's not as quiet as RF's are... Its shutter speed and its motor makes it unique and very interesting... One of the best RF's ever... But I think in a few years it will disappear... It's a shame Konica people didn't find a way to support repairs: it's not an old camera...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Krosya]

I think it's a great camera even if its finder is not the biggest one and even if it's not as quiet as RF's are... Its shutter speed and its motor makes it unique and very interesting... One of the best RF's ever... But I think in a few years it will disappear... It's a shame Konica people didn't find a way to support repairs: it's not an old camera...

Cheers,

Juan

I think that whole "non-repairable" issue is way overrated. Only issue I had with one of my 3 Hexars is RF needed to be adjusted which I took care of in 30 min and it's been fine since. They travelled with me all over and never a problem. I dont think that they break as much as some think they do. And if something does happen - well - you can just get another one - often it's cheaper than getting a Leica Full CLA. Will it disappear in a few years? I'd say not. But than again - there was not that many made, so of course supply is more limited. And if/when they do - there will be other cameras to use. So why deprive yourself of a great camera now? I'd worry about crossing that bridge when you come to it.

 

[Colin G.]

Have an Ikon. It's been repaired twice...once for rangefinder misalignment, and the second time was for the shutter dial falling apart completely. love using it though, but a bit disappointed due to the two repairs and seeing how i bought it brand new 6 months ago.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I think that whole "non-repairable" issue is way overrated. Only issue I had with one of my 3 Hexars is RF needed to be adjusted which I took care of in 30 min and it's been fine since. They travelled with me all over and never a problem. I dont think that they break as much as some think they do. And if something does happen - well - you can just get another one - often it's cheaper than getting a Leica Full CLA. Will it disappear in a few years? I'd say not. But than again - there was not that many made, so of course supply is more limited. And if/when they do - there will be other cameras to use. So why deprive yourself of a great camera now? I'd worry about crossing that bridge when you come to it.

You might be right.

And I guess no one's making anything like it again...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Gary E]

I voted for the R3a with a repair, but it was really a RF adjustment (infinity adjustment and not vertical like usually noted). Probably caused by the constant bumping of my camera bag against my hip. Otherwise, I've been using it without a hitch.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I voted for the R3a with a repair, but it was really a RF adjustment (infinity adjustment and not vertical like usually noted). Probably caused by the constant bumping of my camera bag against my hip. Otherwise, I've been using it without a hitch.

Good clarification, Gary... Thanks!

Here's a link to a thread with a good DIY link for Bessas:

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00UVgF

Cheers,

Juan

 

[pvdhaar]

I've used a Hexar-RF. Had to do a vertical adjustment to the RF. The HRF is very sensitive to the position of the eye behind the viewfinder. It would line up with the right eye, but not with the left where I had to tilt the camera a little to allow for my nose.

Vertical adjustment was very straightforward, compensating the horizontal was not. I had to do a bit of thinking to conclude that close focus needs to be adjusted at 1m. After that became clear, the horizontal was set perfectly fine in a jiffy as well.

 

[amateriat]

C'mon, Juan, you knew the Hexar-kin wouldn't keep quiet about this...

FWIW, I've been using a pair of Hexars for the better part of a decade as my main shootin' iron, with just one early hiccup with one body to show for. Servicing the things was tough for a while, but it appears a few reliable sources are shaping up to the task (thankfully). Of course, if you have an R2/3/4A or M7, servicing is going to be easier. As for me, I'll be using the Hexen till they drop and can't be made to rise again.


- Barrett

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi... No doubt I'd buy one! Roland gave me a great advice on it some days ago, and hey: that small sized black camera prefocused with my 28 3.5 and allowing continuous AE shots from my downed hand level with two stops faster speeds than Leicas, simply would have no rival in the world... Even with the repairs issue, I might buy one, or two if necessary, and for sure most of them are going to last a lifetime: I might get lucky... In fact I would have one already if I had spare money...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

First 12 hours fast conclusions on film AE M mount cameras:

There are more people using the newer models than people using the CLE and the Hexar.
The Ikon is a risky camera.
The M7 gives problems too... At least more than I expected.
The Bessas are the least problematic.

All this can be partial, of course... Let's wait and see how it evolves...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[JonasYip]

hmm.. none of my AE M cameras are in the poll. (Hexar RF, RD1, M9).

j

 

[sojournerphoto]

I use two Ikons, no problems apart from me dropping one of them 1m onto a hard floor (in a canvas bag). I had the RF aligned after that, but it's not a failure on the camera's part. I had an RxM (where x is either 2 or 4 - I can't remember which of them broke) which suffered a disintegrated shutter dia, but got it fixed quickly and cheaply. I do have worried that the Ikon might suffer the same, but so far so good and it's a wonderful camera to use.

Mike

 

[morback]

I have two ... my Zeiss Ikon, which I believe is the best AE M mount camera made to date

My sentiments as well.

I had to have mine repaired twice (after I dropped it). The first shop (Nippon Photo Clinic on Broadway in NYC) did a crappy job (twice...) now it's in transit somewhere between Oberkochen, Istanbul and Rheinau...

Can't wait to have it back...I missed it.