Hexar RF or M7

[elmer3.5]

Hi folks,

Which one of these would you choose as your only rf.
Note that everlasting reliability/quality is not an issue to consider (at least in this poll)
Want to know your preference when the only issue is the best tool to get the job done😀

Thanks!

 

[Paul T.]

Zeiss Ikon, surely?

 

[aizan]

i would choose the leica mp as my only rf. you could get one if you sold all of your current rangefinders.

as far as ae goes, i would get the hexar rf because it has a better control layout, better viewfinder for 35mm and 28mm lenses, and costs MUCH less. on the other hand, prices for used m7s have been falling and now would be a good time to get one. it's quieter, too. my main reservation would be the slight difficulty and higher price of getting one with a .58 viewfinder.

zeiss ikon would be another good option. not as freaking heavy, awesome viewfinder, better controls, less costly, etc.

 

[Benjamin]

How could reliability and quality not be a factor in deciding upon what may effectively become your only camera?

 

[furcafe]

Yes, the Zeiss Ikon should definitely be an option, as it has aperture-priority automation &, many would say, a better RF/VF than both the M7 & the Hexar RF.

I have both the Hexar RF & the M7 & would have to keep the M7 if 1 had to go, the main reasons being that I prefer the M7's more sensitive meter, numerical shutter speed readout, & shorter shutter lag. I also don't shoot 28mm as often as I do 35mm & don't need the Hexar's motorized film advance. Finally, I was disappointed that the Hexar didn't incorporate the autoexposure lock switch &/or exposure lock button found on the Kyocera Contax G2, with which it clearly shares many other parts; the M7 & the Hexar both force you to hold the shutter release down partway to lock the exposure, which is inconvenient if you switch to your thumb to release the shutter when shooting vertically as I do. That said, the Hexar is still a great camera as well as a great value for the money & I've never experienced any operational or reliability problems w/mine.

Zeiss Ikon, surely?

 

[Beemermark]

Traded an almost new M6 for the Hexar when it came out. Bought an M7 a few years after that came out. Bought a second M7 and sold the Hexar. I miss the Hexar motor drive and size, not the VF/RF which sucked.

And the poll is about the Hexar vs the M7, let's keep it at that. Someone can start another poll on how great the Zeiss is. (actually I think there already is).

 

[filmfan]

M7 easily.

 

[splitimageview]

I like the Hexar, and of course the M7 as well. It's not really a fair fight however, as a nice M7 would cost at least 6 times as much as what I paid for my Hexar.

Much easier film loading, motor driven (and not loud), there is lots to like. It's akin to a G2 that takes M lenses.

 

[Mark Seymour]

I have both but much prefer the Konica

http://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/Slideshow/WindsorArt/

 

[mackigator]

CLE for sure. 😉

 

[lemos]

ikon obviously 🙂

 

[maddoc]

M7. It is the better camera. 🙂

 

[Krosya]

They are different cameras. Both are great IMO. If you like to shoot fast lenses wide open during the day - Hexar offers fast shutter speeds. Easy loading too. I find Hexar's VF/RF very good. Solid made camera. I use it and like it a lot. However, if battery dies - camera will not work. On a plus side - batteries are easy to find and last a long time. Service on Hexars is harder to find, but I never needed it so far. Also, shutter will not burn from the sun. And as was pointed out earlier - it costs a lot less than Leica.
Based on that I chose Hexar RF.

 

[Keith]

I can't believe that people keep blathering Ikon or MP etc ... the OP made his question perfectly clear ... it's a poll for gawd's sake not a discussion on what may be the best rangefinder for you.

If you don't want to vote for either option just go away! 😀 😀 😀

I'm with Krosya ... I like the Hexar! :angel:

 

[MP/CLE]

I've had both and sold both, although the m7 lasted longer and was a harder selling decision. The weight of the m7, while wonderfully satisfying from a quality and workmanship standpoint, made carrying it around, with a selection of lenses, quite an effort. The hexar was lighter and easier ergonomically and came with wonderful lenses, usable on the m7 also, but I was a lover of Leica first, so...now I am left with my favorite, the CLE and three lenses...full circle since 1983!

 

[Keith]

The extra two stops of shutter speed was a deciding factor when I bought mine (now sold sadly) and I found the viewfinder to be excellent. The camera is such a square chunk in your hands but actually handles very nicely IMO.

 

[elmer3.5]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hi, seen the poll results not as close as last sunday´s presidential ones (in chile) and not as surprising😀

53% for the M7!
Clear winner but i think this result has a lot to do with the fact that´s a Leica.

I like the extra speed on the contax g2, find it very very usefull.

There are many good opinions about Zeiss Ikon ZM, but i´ve seen also a lot of people complaining son i´m not so sure, since i´m quite apart from northamerica or europe have to consider repairing capability. That´s why i dind´t go for the m8 (another discussion😎)

A tough decision, i´ll work it out considering your opinions!

Thanks again!

 

[Paul T.]

There are many good opinions about Zeiss Ikon ZM, but i´ve seen also a lot of people complaining son i´m not so sure, since i´m quite apart from northamerica or europe have to consider repairing capability.

AS an ex-Hexar RF owner, I can tell you that should it go wrong, you'll find it far harder to get it fixed than the ZI or M8.

If the rangefinder mechanism (which on the earlier cameras is the most vulnerable part) goes awry your only solution is to cannibalise another camera as neither Sony, nor Greg Weber, the foremost Hexar expert, have the necessary parts. The hexar RF is a good, albeit flawed, camera which is now an orphan.

 

[nemjo]

.[/QUOTE]If the rangefinder mechanism (which on the earlier cameras is the most vulnerable part) goes awry your only solution is to cannibalise another camera as neither Sony, nor Greg Weber, the foremost Hexar expert, have the necessary parts. The hexar RF is a good, albeit flawed, camera which is now an orphan.[/QUOTE]

So if one bought three Hexars, still less or about half the cost of an M7...

A vote for the Hexar.


nemjo

 

[splitimageview]

"good, albeit flawed" can describe nearly every camera ever produced. 😉