aizan
Veteran
wasn't your hexar rf early production? i think they replaced a plastic part in the rangefinder with one made of metal to solve the problem.
What is considered 'early?' Is there a serial number dividing early from late?
Paul T.
Veteran
Mine was early production - it's a nylon part, according to Greg Weber. I waited around 7 months for a replacement. Sorry, don't know s/n breakdown. Much of the so-called incompatibility with Leica lenses is probably down to the unreliable RF mechanism on the earlier cameras.
"Good, albeit flawed" is how I describe myself, too.
"Good, albeit flawed" is how I describe myself, too.
Fuchs
Well-known
I'd go for a Leica M7 0.85 for shooting 35mm or 50mm lenses. Even the 0.72 VF has slightly more magnification than the Hexar's and this turns useful with fast lenses shot wide open.
It's great to have the choices we do! I think the .60x viewfinder is one of the Hexar's more attractive features, because it shows the wide angle views more easily. A matter of personal priorities, as I so rarely use long lenses (and mine aren't fast).
With a year-long struggle to get my Hexar RF repaired correctly at the official US repair facility, I'm now more inclined toward the M7 vs the HRF, but it would hopefully be a .58x viewfinder model!
With a year-long struggle to get my Hexar RF repaired correctly at the official US repair facility, I'm now more inclined toward the M7 vs the HRF, but it would hopefully be a .58x viewfinder model!
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I have the M7, .58 magnification. It is one of the best I've ever shot with. Shot w/ the Hex-RF for awhile, many nice features. The .60 mag was a revelation. When the M7 (.58 mag) came across I didnt hesitate a moment to snag it.
oldoc
oldoc
M7 for certain.
regular
Member
I think the only issue with Hexar RF is its viewfinder (big issue).
I was never told of an issue with the Hexar's motor. It is so precise you can switch between films and reload without double-exposures or spoiled views. You can also shoot 37-38 views per film.
The x0.62 zoom ratio is perfect when wearing glasses.
The titanium body is very solid and rather light. Is the M7 really better built?? I am still wondering, and my next camera may rather be a Bessa R2A (Zeiss Ikon are said to be fragile).
Sony should definitely fix the rangefinder and produce the Hexar again.
edit: bad english grammar
I was never told of an issue with the Hexar's motor. It is so precise you can switch between films and reload without double-exposures or spoiled views. You can also shoot 37-38 views per film.
The x0.62 zoom ratio is perfect when wearing glasses.
The titanium body is very solid and rather light. Is the M7 really better built?? I am still wondering, and my next camera may rather be a Bessa R2A (Zeiss Ikon are said to be fragile).
Sony should definitely fix the rangefinder and produce the Hexar again.
edit: bad english grammar
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roundg
Well-known
RF=650USD
M7=1900USD
RF has motor, and 0.60X VF is very good with wide angle lens.
M7=1900USD
RF has motor, and 0.60X VF is very good with wide angle lens.
MCTuomey
Veteran
i'd like to introject a welcome to mark seymour, who posted earlier. mark's work is simply beautiful imho and his accomplishments speak for themselves.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I checked out his web site and it is definitely worth a look!
We have our own mark seymour here in OZ ... ex lead singer of the Australian band 'Hunters and Collectors!'
pvdhaar
Peter
Tough call.. the Leica has a definite advantage when it comes to noise. The M cloth shutters are dead silent, but the metal one in my HRF was quite loud. What's worse, and also was the thing that bothered me most about the HRF, was the screeching sound of the motor. It just didn't rhyme well with the manual focus experience.. Sad to see that Konica decided not to put the silent mode from the Hexar-AF into the HRF..
On the other hand, that motor and its accurate registering made it possible to do a mid-roll swap and advance to anywhere on another film.. This is so mind boggling convenient that I'll still give the vote to the HRF..
On the other hand, that motor and its accurate registering made it possible to do a mid-roll swap and advance to anywhere on another film.. This is so mind boggling convenient that I'll still give the vote to the HRF..
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Pretty impressive that the Hexar is only a few votes behind the M7!
Beemermark
Veteran
I'd like to see this polls limited to people who have had both. It might remain the same, then again.........
I bought an M6 new when they first came out and hated it. The flare was terrible (much, much later I had another M6 classic and the flare was no were as bad). When the Hexar I came out I swapped the M6 for a new Hexar even up and was extremely happy. However I always felt the viewfinder was terrible. As my eyesight worsened with old age and I moved into progressive glasses the Hexar became almost unusable. I ended up using a CV 25 lens and external VF and used scale focusing. Finally went to the M7 and it is just a way better camera. I do miss the smaller size of the Hexar and the built in motor drive. Plus the battery lasted forever, I mean years.
steven:s
Steven:s
I have used both and I would choose M7 hands down...
Turtle
Veteran
M7. Interchangeable lenses, higher top speed etc.
Haah! There I was thinking of the Hexar AF....
Still M7. Proven solidity and reliability, quiet shutter and more importantly I know Leicas and can use them eyes closed. They might not be perfect but I am used to them. They are my old slippers. I actually do not use a M7 but M6/MPs and i have real confidence in them. I thought about a Hexar RF and cured the viewfinder issue with a 0.58 M. Beautiful with a 28 and with the bright line illumination window covered up I am going to try it with 24mm next.
Haah! There I was thinking of the Hexar AF....
Still M7. Proven solidity and reliability, quiet shutter and more importantly I know Leicas and can use them eyes closed. They might not be perfect but I am used to them. They are my old slippers. I actually do not use a M7 but M6/MPs and i have real confidence in them. I thought about a Hexar RF and cured the viewfinder issue with a 0.58 M. Beautiful with a 28 and with the bright line illumination window covered up I am going to try it with 24mm next.
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Steve M.
Veteran
The Hexar is a very attractive camera. I've often thought about this question, but I'd have to sell nearly all of my cameras to buy one, so it's just a thought process now. I just enjoy shooting the Leica R glass so much that selling them isn't an option, and there's nothing that takes the place of watching the image come into focus on a good SLR viewfinder.
At this stage of the thinking I'd go for the M7 w/o any reservations. While I love the thought of motorized film advance, there's nothing like the fit and precision of a Leica camera. I once owned an M6 for a short while (decided that not having AE was too big a compromise and sold it), and it felt perfect in my hands. One thing I didn't like, having owned several M3's, is the multiple frames in the viewfinder of the M7. I don't want to see a cluttered viewfinder. The M3 has the best viewfinder I've ever seen in an RF camera. Read somewhere that you could use a little piece of tape to cover the camera's frame line illumination window and pick which frameline you want to use, so that might take care of the problem on the M7.
Other than that, the M7 and MP sound like the perfect RF cameras.
At this stage of the thinking I'd go for the M7 w/o any reservations. While I love the thought of motorized film advance, there's nothing like the fit and precision of a Leica camera. I once owned an M6 for a short while (decided that not having AE was too big a compromise and sold it), and it felt perfect in my hands. One thing I didn't like, having owned several M3's, is the multiple frames in the viewfinder of the M7. I don't want to see a cluttered viewfinder. The M3 has the best viewfinder I've ever seen in an RF camera. Read somewhere that you could use a little piece of tape to cover the camera's frame line illumination window and pick which frameline you want to use, so that might take care of the problem on the M7.
Other than that, the M7 and MP sound like the perfect RF cameras.
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sepiareverb
genius and moron
M7. The Hexar can't be counted on and cannot be repaired reliably enough to be worth the money. Yes, I read that reliability doesn't matter, but if one is going to use the cameras then at least usability must matter.
Krosya
Konicaze
Depends on how you look at it. I count on my Hexars on long trips across the world no problem. Actually, Hexar is a pretty reliable camera. Sure there are posts about some people having some problems. But so are many with just about ANY Leica, Zeiss, Cosina, etc. Sure, as long as Leica is in business - their products can be fixed. At what cost - well thats different story. For the price of one M7 or MP one can buy 3 Hexars. For a price of one trip for repair of Leica - you can pay for half or if you lucky - entire Hexar RF. So, do the math - as long as there are Hexars around - it's not a bad choice.
Now RELIABILITY> I have used my Hexars without ANY problems for years now. There are many Hexar users like me out there as well. They are good, reliable cameras. Having had Leicas - I can tell you - I spent more money on Leicas - to buy and to repair,- than I ever spent on my Hexars combined. I think Hexars are getting a bad rep. cause a few people here had poor luck with theirs (that includes sending it to repair to a place that doesnt know how to fix one). Just read some threads about Leicas - bodies and lenses - being gone for repair for over 6 months and still come back not fixed right. So, dollar for dollar - Hexar is a pretty good choice. Having used several Leicas and Hexars I would take another Hexar without worries.
Now RELIABILITY> I have used my Hexars without ANY problems for years now. There are many Hexar users like me out there as well. They are good, reliable cameras. Having had Leicas - I can tell you - I spent more money on Leicas - to buy and to repair,- than I ever spent on my Hexars combined. I think Hexars are getting a bad rep. cause a few people here had poor luck with theirs (that includes sending it to repair to a place that doesnt know how to fix one). Just read some threads about Leicas - bodies and lenses - being gone for repair for over 6 months and still come back not fixed right. So, dollar for dollar - Hexar is a pretty good choice. Having used several Leicas and Hexars I would take another Hexar without worries.
Well said. As I load up my $300 Hexar.