Hexar RF - Initial Impressions and Test Roll

[md2008]

Thought I'd share some thoughts after my first test roll through a newly acquired Hexar RF. As a basis for comparison, my current cameras include an M6 and D700.

The camera feels nice in the hand, just as hefty and solid as the M6 and the little handgrip bump does wonders for comfort and a secure hold. The body surface is nice and grippy as well. Build quality seems to be on par or only slightly below that of the Leica. Film loading is a breeze with the swing out door and motor wind (I did have some problems with the film transport initially which seems to be ironed out now). The viewfinder seems just as bright as the M6. I'd read that you had have the eye in a very narrow range of alignment with the viewfinder looking right in the middle in order to use the rf patch. With the camera held horizontally, I had no problems with the rangefinder patch; however, held vertically, I was not able to easily align my eye and the rf patch faded in and out as I tried to get my eye in the right zone. I also found the patch to be a bit less contrasty and difficult to align than the M6. The meter was spot on for all of my exposures although there was nothing too challenging on my first test roll. It was nice to have aperture priority AE, and with the motor, I can see that I could easily burn through a roll quickly. I'm not sure if there actually is a difference in shutter lag between the Hexar and M6 or if it's my imagination, but the Hexar does seem slower to react. It could just be the "mushier" shutter of the Hexar vs the M6 which makes it seem like it takes longer for the shutter to release. Anyway, shutter lag differences of a few ms doesn't make much of a difference for my photos. The 1/4000 to shutter speed is definitely nice.

Most importantly, the Hexar RF was/is a fun camera to use. Here are a few photos from an outing with the camera. All photos taken with Nokton 35mm f/1.2 and Ektar 100 film.


Fall leaves

An old sushi restaurant

A gray day in Toronto today

Pork butcher

A bit more processed pork

Thanks for looking. Comments welcome on any tips/tricks/problems for using the RF from seasoned Hexar veterans.

 

[kevin m]

Most importantly, the Hexar RF was/is a fun camera to use.

That's what I miss most about it. It was like a big P&S with an M-mount! I bet the 35/1.2 is a lot of fun with the RF. 🙂

 

[morback]

Concerning the shutter lag I read somewhere the Hexar clocks at 200ms (compared to 20 for the M7 and 25 for the ZI). So I guess you felt right.

I'm interested in your comments with the ergonomics. I find the classic M not very ergonomic (even with grip). A long time ago I used a friend's Bessa, and what struck me is how well it just sat in your hand thanks to the bump in the back...

Glad you're enjoying it 🙂

This guy does great work with his Hexar RF.

 

[shyoon]

I really like those photographs. And that pork belly makes me hungry.

 

[gnosduh]

These are really really great images. Great work. Keep it up!

 

[bennyng]

I've been thinking about a Hexar RF too. I like the automatic film transport. But was wondering if it is noisy.

Cheers,

 

[Krosya]

Glad to see you are enjoying one of my old Hexars RF. Looks like you are off to a good start. Great photos!. That 1/4000 shutter speed combined with 1.2 lens is something special. I too have CV 35/1.2 and and also M-Hexanon 50/1.2 that I like to use on Hexar just for that reason.

 

[skibeerr]

Kudos to the EKTAR to.

Wim

 

[thegman]

Some nice shots, especially Sushi one.

 

[md2008]

I do find the motor a bit noisy indoors - enough to make me think twice about taking a photo if I'm concerned about the subject being aware. The click of the M6 somehow blends in with the ambient noise but the high pitched whine of the RF motor jumps out above the background noise. In addition, the shutter release/cocking/film wind cycle seems to be rather long so I find it more obtrusive than the much louder schlack of my D700, which is loud but done very quickly.

As an aside, the film that comes out of the RF is much easier to load on Paterson-type developing reels because it maintains the normal curl of the film and doesn't wind "against the curl".

I've been thinking about a Hexar RF too. I like the automatic film transport. But was wondering if it is noisy.

Cheers,

 

[dovi]

I'd like to see more shots

I'd like to see more shots

Nice work.
Camera performs well, it seems.
Interesting comment about lag.
Any more interesting shots from that roll?

 

[md2008]

Nice work.
Camera performs well, it seems.
Interesting comment about lag.
Any more interesting shots from that roll?

A few more, with the 50mm Summicron this time. No focus issues whatsoever with the Leica or CV lens on the Hexar.


Tea shop window

Church doorway

 

[Arjay]

Re Hexar RF shutter lag:

Claude Tauleigne in his book 'Konica Hexar RF' (available in French only, unfortunately) specifies the Hexar's shutter lag as 90ms. The book also contains a graph of the shutter sound including opening, re-cocking and film winding. The graph is a bit contradictory to the statement in the text and suggests that the actual shutter lag could be as fast as 70ms.

PS: The book is still being sold on Ebay, and it might also be available on Amazon. Here are the book's puchasing data: Title: Konica Hexar RF; Author: Claude Tauleigne; Publisher: Editions VM, Paris, France; ISBN number: 2-86258-213-1; year of publication: 2000. While not presenting anything new to readers that are familiar with Leica-style film cameras, the book gives a lot of technical detail about the Hexar, and is worth a thorough read if you want to know the very finest detail about your Hexar. BTW, I'm not affiliated with either author or the publisher.

 

[januaryman]

Your photos are just great. But I'm sure you could do as well with anything, from a Canon P&S to an M6. The magic is in you, not in the camera. But it's always nice to find gear that works for and makes the process easy. Good eye!

 

[Colin Corneau]

I really like those images -- well seen and sensitively shot. Used to own the Nokton myself...interesting thoughts about the camera.

 

[naren]

love the 1st photo and the tea kettle shot. kudos. 😉

 

[Gary Sandhu]

Titanium

Titanium

...sometimes I like to pretend its a titanium M9 given the titanium top and bottom.
It's a great camera to use with a 28mm

 

[umcelinho]

A sweet feature of the Hexar RF is to be able to fully use the DR Summicron!
The viewfinder is also great for 35mm and the 1/4000 speed is fab.

I played a bit with one in a shop in London and didn't find the shutter lag to be significant.

How many shots do you guys usually get per roll?

 

[Richard G]

I like the first photo, which has absolutely that warmth of Ektar which I like. The shadow on the wall is beautiful. I dream of 1/2000 so 1/4000 would be great. You might have saved me a couple of thousand on my first AE RF. Thanks.

 

[bennyng]

A sweet feature of the Hexar RF is to be able to fully use the DR Summicron!
The viewfinder is also great for 35mm and the 1/4000 speed is fab.

Actually, you can also use the earlier goggled 35mm lenses as well as the goggled 135mm on the Hexar as well.

Cheers,