Can a Hexar RF withstand harsh winter conditions?

[kenneth-rahne]

Considering a hexar RF and appreciate advice. I hike New England's White Mountains year round-winter conditions can be demanding-8 plus hours in below freezing temps/wind chills/snow etc. Previously owned leica m7 handled conditions flawlessly w/o battery change. Can the same performance be equaled by a hexar - or is another m7 or m6 a wiser choice? My favored lens is my 35mm hexanon uc. Thanks for input.

 

[FrankS]

Cold is the enemy of batteries. The Hexar rf won't work at all without battery power. I love this camera, but unless you have a way of keeping the batteries warm, it may not be the best choice of tool for this task.

 

[Keith]

Frank's right.

Considering the Hexar needs power to advance the film I'd give it a miss ... not worth the risk IMO.

 

[dct]

I love my HRF, will buy a second one sometimes. But for long lasting cold outdoor work I would opt for a mostly mechanical RF as the body of single choice.

 

[Moriturii]

Well, winter is coming soon in Sweden, so we shall find out, tune in 6 months from now and I'll give a report. You can always carry spare batteries on you, that you put in a pocket close to your body to keep warm, if the batteries in your camera dies because it's cold, pop the warm ones in 🙂

 

[Keith]

I think the problem with the Hexar would be the film advance motor. Re-cocking the shutter is one thing but dragging the film through the camera must take a lot more oomph from the batteries!

 

[Moriturii]

I think the problem with the Hexar would be the film advance motor. Re-cocking the shutter is one thing but dragging the film through the camera must take a lot more oomph from the batteries!

Well, one set of batteries lasts for 120+ rolls of film so the 'oomph' isn't a powerful one thats for sure. I popped new batteries in mine when I bought it several months ago, the icon still shows full battery sign.

 

[a.noctilux]

read in user's manual last page

Specifications of Hexar RF "Operation temperature range": -10° C to +50° C
...
Lithium batteries are operational till -20° C
but the camera's electronic (and motor) could not.

...
I would prefer for cold weather not to depend on electronic and battery.

Arnaud