About latest AE M mount cameras...

About latest AE M mount cameras...

  • I have used a Bessa R2A without problems

    Votes: 16 11.7%

  • My R2A was repaired

    Votes: 1 0.7%

  • I have used a Bessa R3A without problems

    Votes: 23 16.8%

  • My R3A was repaired

    Votes: 2 1.5%

  • I have used a Bessa R4A without problems

    Votes: 13 9.5%

  • My R4A was repaired

    Votes: 1 0.7%

  • I have used a Zeiss Ikon without problems

    Votes: 27 19.7%

  • My Zeiss Ikon was repaired

    Votes: 11 8.0%

  • I have used an M7 without problems

    Votes: 20 14.6%

  • My M7 was repaired

    Votes: 5 3.6%

  • I use or used other AE M mount camera

    Votes: 36 26.3%

  • I have never used any AE M mount camera

    Votes: 35 25.5%
  • Total voters
    137
Juan Valdenebro said:
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...
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It seems like there is conflicting information about the repairability of the Hexar RF (and AF, for that matter). Dirk Rösler/Japan Exposures has a camera parts / repair service - i.e., you send the camera to him and he acts as an intermediary between you and the manufacturer in Japan. One of the "recently repaired items" is "Konica Hexar RF rangefinder camera, shutter motor replacement (error code 11): ¥16.000" (that's about $180 USD). I recently sent my Hexar AF to him and I'm now waiting for a quote from... Kenko! Apparently they took over the servicing of Konica/Minolta cameras earlier this year; previously it was Sony. (And according to this post it's the same repair shop, just different owners.)
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
The Ikon is a risky camera.
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Only if the risk is that you get too attached to it, I certainly am. :D

At this point the sample size of 18 is not a reliable measure. I don't know what the true quality stats are on the ZM, and Zeiss probably don't publish them, but I've had no problems with mine.

Cheers,
Rob
 
robbeiflex said:
Only if the risk is that you get too attached to it, I certainly am. :D

At this point the sample size of 18 is not a reliable measure. I don't know what the true quality stats are on the ZM, and Zeiss probably don't publish them, but I've had no problems with mine.

Cheers,
Rob
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Hi Rob,

Let's wait... ZI is a beautiful camera...

Cheers,

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

The Bessas are the least problematic.

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

Cheers,

Juan
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Well, maybe - maybe not. I hear a lot more about Bessa (mostly A series, which can be a user error too) shutters jamming/locking up than, let's say Hexar problems. So, I'm not sure how accurate your statement is. I think even on this forum - there are a lot more people that had problems with Bessas that ones with problems with their Hexars. If we had numbers as to total Hexars vs total Bessas (or other AE cameras for that matter) owned vs ones with problems - we'd have more accurate results, I think.
All I can say is - my "total investment" in Hexars is alot less than in Leicas, as while some cameras may have cost about the same (3 Leicas vs 3 Hexars), I naver had to spend any money on Hexars to service them, while 2 out of 3 Leicas had to have CLA/repair, - cost of which could buy me another Hexar and a Bessa. My personal repair track with Bessa is pretty good, though - only one had to have RF adjusted - one I have now. Others were good. So, all in all - it's still hard to say what is better/safer choice for an AF RF camera. But if you go simply by features offered - Hexar is hard to beat. ;)
 
More than hard to beat, even impossible to compare, as there's no other motorized AE M...

I have read several cases of impossible repairs, though... I mean, this is not a rumor or an exaggeration... Of course, as any model, most cameras remain working through the years without any problem, and some can also be repaired... And Hexars are cheap: I've seen three of them below $500 during the last days... The same price as used R3A's, so they're a nice option too... I wouldn't care too much about the repairs issue for their price...

Cheers,

Juan
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
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
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The main risk is realising your M7's not what it could be! :D
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
It's incredible, but lots of M7 users say they felt disappointed after trying their long awaited M7...

Cheers,

Juan
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I had my M7 for about a year Juan and can't really say anything bad about it ... aside from occasional viewfinder flare it did little wrong. IMO the Ikon is a better camera but also not perfect ... the exposure 'idiot lights' running up the left side of the viewfinder are all but useless in bright outdoor light and the rangefinder patch can vanish on you frequently until you become familiar with the correct eye position when shooting!
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
The truth is that I like all of them sometimes... I wouldn't know what to buy...

Cheers,

Juan
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Well, since you have seen several Hexars lateley priced below $500 ( I only saw one and that sold very fast. Others usually are priced at $700 or more), you should have gotten one of them as price like that is a steal.
 
have used 2 M7's, 2 RD-1's, and one R2A, no problems with any of them

i must have low standards because i've not been disappointed at all with these cameras, quite the reverse - i've been delighted to use them.

my photos disappoint me, but that has nothing to do with the camera
 
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Krosya said:
Well, since you have seen several Hexars lateley priced below $500 ( I only saw one and that sold very fast. Others usually are priced at $700 or more), you should have gotten one of them as price like that is a steal.
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I think I could end up with a Hexar for its motor and an R3A for its 1:1 and quiet places...

Cheers,

Juan
 
MCTuomey said:
have used 2 M7's, 2 RD-1's, and one R2A, no problems with any of them

i must have low standards because i've not been disappointed at all with these cameras, quite the reverse - i've been delighted to use them.

my photos disappoint me, but that has nothing to do with the camera
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Hi Mike,

No low standards at all... Those three models are some of the greatest and smallest cameras ever made...

Cheers,

Juan
 
We're getting close to 100 voters, and the situation is:

Most used AE M cameras: Bessas.

Least problematic AE M cameras: Bessas.

Congratulations Mr. Kobayashi!

Cheers,

Juan
 
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