Bessa R3A or Hexar RF

R

rdeleskie

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Looking for some advice. I have a chance to acquire a Hexar RF at a good price. It would mean selling my Bessa R3A. Although I like my Bessa, I have a few issues with it:

-wish it had 35mm framelines
-wish it was quieter
-wish it felt a little more refined in use (i.e., the shutter dial turned more easily, the ergonomics were a little better, the fit and finish just a little tighter)

For those who have both:

-how are the 50mm framelines on the Hexar? (50s are a mainstay for me). Anyone find them too small?
-how does the meter compare to the CV Bessa (which I find quite accurate, once you learn how it works)

The only other thing that make me wary of the Hexar is the electronics, mainly the LCDs, which usually have a much shorter lifespan than the mechanics (I've had problems with the LCD counter on my Contax TVS). Anybody had issues with theirs?

Thanks so much.

Robert
 
I owned the Hexar RF briefly, for about 6 months or so. Loved how the camera handled, exposure was perfect. It felt solid. Have not had a chance to play with the Bessa R3A, so I cannot say anything regarding that.

But the major problem for me was the Hexar RF's viewfinder. It was smaller magnification than the M3's, so I wasn't used to that. Other than that it came down to me not using it as much as the M3, so I sold it. Still regretting it to this day!
 
the Hexar RF's 1/4000 max shutter speed is enough to convince me to buy it. that is an awesome max speed for a film RF.
i would utilize this feature often as my preference is fast aperture/wide open/shallow DoF photography, even in broad daylight.
 
the hexar is a very fine camera, and excellent for 50mm use, but is a completely different beast from the bessa. Both cameras are what i would consider to be finicky and/or fragile (in my experience and from others'), but they both have completely different personalities.

The R3A has the 1:1, and the Hexar is like .67 or something mag. That is the biggest difference. You can still accurately focus and frame fast lenses (noct even) on the hexar, so don't let that stop you, and the 50mm lines are nice. I thought the hexar's finder was great, but its greatest weakness for me was a complete lack in personality or character. The camera was just too automated and lifeless.
 
rdeleskie said:
For those who have both:

-how are the 50mm framelines on the Hexar? (50s are a mainstay for me). Anyone find them too small?
-how does the meter compare to the CV Bessa (which I find quite accurate, once you learn how it works)

The only other thing that make me wary of the Hexar is the electronics, mainly the LCDs, which usually have a much shorter lifespan than the mechanics (I've had problems with the LCD counter on my Contax TVS). Anybody had issues with theirs?

Thanks so much.

Robert
Click to expand...

more clarification:

the hexar is supposedly very difficult to have repaired, which was a driving force in me selling mine. I did not break it, but i was worried about doing so. The meter was excellent, the finder was very good, fast shutter speeds were great to have. The shutter was reasonably quiet, but i found the "squeak" to be annoying.

hope that helps.
 
Kept R3A, sold Hexar.
It was brand new, but still I sold it mostly because I didn't want to have a camera with marginally more electronics from a company that's out of business with marginally less spare parts on the market.
Also because I happen to really like 40mm Nokton and R3A matches it.
Also because I liked the aura of R3A better.
Also because I have enough rangefinders to need another one and given the above Hexar was voted off.

Fine camera otherwise, that Hexar, quite and fast to use. Slick, but I prefer more traditional look.
 
Hexar RF has been my main camera for 3 wonderful years. It's performed flawlessly. If it died, I'd buy another.
 
Kept Hexar, sold R3A. Between the two, the more solid feel, better ergo for me, the faster shutter speed and auto advance of the Hexar won it over. I did not love the R3A enough to keep it. I think the mag on the VF is 0.60. It's great for 35mm but I use a 1.25x magnifier for a 50mm. I have had good results with a 75mm on this body, but focus with a 90mm is a more hit/miss. I will use the Hexar until it breaks and if it can't be fixed, so what? I have other cameras.
 
I found the Hexar to be a well thought out and wonderful camera EXCEPT for the shutter lag. Sadly it became a deal breaker for me.
 
Bought a Hexar RF a few weeks ago and really had back luck. The finder was completely out of alignment and it seems that it's a samle that is not compatible to lenses other the Hexanons. Still thinking about if it's worth the repair. So if you buy one, try it with one of your lenses. Develop the film. If it's ok then buy it, not before.
Regarding the operation it's a wonderful camera. I think the layout of the controls is far better than all Leica Ms, or the Ikon or Bessas.
 
Kiyoshi said:
the Hexar RF's 1/4000 max shutter speed is enough to convince me to buy it. that is an awesome max speed for a film RF.
i would utilize this feature often as my preference is fast aperture/wide open/shallow DoF photography, even in broad daylight.
Click to expand...

I agree, it's a good factor, also the lower .6x magnification can be interesting for those who like 35mm or 28mm and wear glasses.
 
Uwe_Nds said:
Tom,
Did you contact Kameraklink in Hamburg?

Cheers,
Uwe
Click to expand...

Yes, but I hesitate. A few month before I bought the camera, it was at Kameraklinik two times for a repair. The seller showed me the invoice. It was there two times because it didn't work after the first try and they had to rework it. That it's not working is a sign for me that they didn't fix it even after the 2nd time. So I am not confident that this is the right place to get a repair. Contacted two other repair guys but the gave up the repair of the Hexar because they don't have parts anymore. I think my camera needs some parts and not only some alignment of the finder.
Every time I see the camera I get angry so I will put it in the cabinet and I will try it in a few month again when I don't react emotionally anymore. Another member mentioned a repair shop in the netherlands. Perhaps I will try this.
It's a shame because it's such a nice camera.
 
You can always send it to Sony Japan with help of Japan Exposures..

tom.w.bn said:
Yes, but I hesitate. A few month before I bought the camera, it was at Kameraklinik two times for a repair. The seller showed me the invoice. It was there two times because it didn't work after the first try and they had to rework it. That it's not working is a sign for me that they didn't fix it even after the 2nd time. So I am not confident that this is the right place to get a repair. Contacted two other repair guys but the gave up the repair of the Hexar because they don't have parts anymore. I think my camera needs some parts and not only some alignment of the finder.
Every time I see the camera I get angry so I will put it in the cabinet and I will try it in a few month again when I don't react emotionally anymore. Another member mentioned a repair shop in the netherlands. Perhaps I will try this.
It's a shame because it's such a nice camera.
Click to expand...
 
i would buy a bessa r2a, but to answer your questions:

- it does have 35mm framelines
- it's equally noisy as a bessa. the shutter itself is as quiet as a leica m8.2/m9, but the motor wind is much louder.
- it is much more refined in use and in fit and finish.
- the 50mm framelines are smallish due to the .6x viewfinder. they look like the 75mm framelines on a .72x viewfinder, or 90mm on 1:1.
- the meter is basically the same.

the hexar rf repair situation is poor these days, though not completely bleak:

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67042&page=6&highlight=hexar+repair

precision seems very dedicated to customer service. they went over and above to repair doug's hexar rf. they fixed the little frameline selector on mine before the 10 year service period expired, and it has worked perfectly ever since (knock on wood). i got an mp partly for of its repairability. i don't have a bessa, but i'd still like one because it is also easily repairable (and it's cheap and has ae).
 
rdeleskie said:
Thanks for all your answers. There's never a perfect solution, is there? Sigh.
Click to expand...

Nope!
I'm currently tossing up between my R3A, R4A and M6 to see which one goes. They all do a job but each one has a compromise of some kind that is compensated for by one of the others. It's going to be a process of working out which combination involves the least compromise!
 
Vobluda said:
You can always send it to Sony Japan with help of Japan Exposures..
Click to expand...

That sound like a good idea. I read this already some time ago here in the forum but I wanted a quick solution so I never considered this. But now it makes no difference if I put it in the cabinet or it is 3 month in Japan for repair.
 
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