Hexar in Amsterdam...

[Berliner]

I brought my Hexar RF to Amsterdam last weekend, and had a strikingly clear realization while walking down Harlemerstraat in a pouring rain on my search for marzipan & cheese. What a great camera!

First, AEL. It rained the entire time I was there—it always does, but I love the city just the same, so I was not going to let that slow me down. I had to shoot fast, while shielding my camera under my mac in between shots, so with a 35mm hyperfocused for f. 8, the clear 35mm brightlines, and AEL set, I could quickly meter and recompose to shoot. Auto wind also is a blessing, and the noise of the shutter/wind is negligible, even while ‘hip-shooting’ people looking at art in quiet museums/galleries.

Since I brought 100, 400, & 800 B&W, and colour film with me, I had it set to DX, so as day turned to night, I could reload with the desired speed super quick, not having to worry about under/over exposing entire rolls.

The Hexar was kept in the ‘on’ position, set to ‘continuous wind”, under my mac for the better part of three days. The batteries—about 9 months old now, still show full power. The very wet conditions didn’t cause the camera to balk at all, either. I was very impressed. And speaking of being impressed--The rain forced me indoors for some of the time but I caught a GREAT exhibit on Weegee at FOAM--highly recommended! Spent most of the day there…

Oh, and to bring this full circle, I did finally find the most delectable marzipans, and a very nice Old Edam...

 

[Krosya]

Great story! I love Amsterdam too. In any weather. It's been a while since I went there last, and I miss it. Please post some of your photos!!!!!! What lens did you use?
Can't wait to see your results if you'd be so kind to share them!.

 

[akptc]

What a cool story, made me hungry *and* wanting to travel! Now I can't wait to see Europe again, it's been way too long... of course the Hexars will come with me when I go 🙂

 

[Berliner]

I'll post some photos in a couple days. I used the 35 ASPH Summicron,--I pack very light, but I always take a 35. Usually on an M6--I'l love to get my hands on a 35 Hexanon just to put on the Hexar.

Also, there's a Magnum Photography exhibit opening at the Stedelijk Museum next month...I'll be going back beore it ends...

 

[sam_m]

Please excuse my ignorance, but do you mean you used a laptop computer to shield your camera from the rain, or is a mac something else?

 

[Berliner]

Mac(kintosh)-raincoat.

 

[amateriat]

Yep, just like the line in the Beatles' "Penny Lane": "And the banker never wears a mac/in the pouring rain/Very strange.."

(I like, and use, those other Macs, too.)

Berliner: very much looking forward to seeing your photos. Sounds like serendipitous fun!


- Barrett

 

[pvdhaar]

.. The batteries—about 9 months old now, still show full power ..

I found this the most striking characteristic of the Hexars, both AF and RF. You need to put a battery in, but they don't use it. Well, maybe they do, but going on for 100 rolls of film is rule rather than exception. Konica certainly knew how to design a camera.. what a shame they're no longer building them anymore!

 

[Cron]

hands up for the Hexar and looking forward to see some of your pics

 

[sam_m]

Mac(kintosh)-raincoat.

Got it. .

 

[Peter A (NYC)]

Good to know the Hexar can take some humidity. I usually leave electric cameras at home when it is raining.

 

[Berliner]

Peter--

That was my biggest worry...but I think people tend to seriously under estimated this camera's 'ruggedness'...prior to last weekend, I know I did.

 

[amateriat]

My Hexars have seen some rain, been buried in snow, and handled some interesting extremes of cold without protest. In other words, the sort of things one expects a pro-grade camera to handle.

As I once tried to say to a shop owner/collector who sneered at my HRFs (paraphrasing a Mae West line): Leicas go onto the mantelpiece; Hexars go everywhere. 😉

(Leica folk, relax: I was having more of a dig at the collector than the marque)


- Barrett