Steve M.
Veteran
I haven't owned an M7, but I did have a Hexar RF. The RF was wonderful. Had a bright viewfinder that I enjoyed focusing with, higher shutter speeds than an M7, motor drive, AE, etc. Yet I sold it because it felt dead in my hand. Isn't that a crazy thing?
Just could not get used to that camera, and it was the same w/ the Hexar AF. I have owned an M6, and assuming an M7 is essentially the same save for the AE and a few other things, I'd take the M7 in a heart beat. To me, that's the ultimate rangefinder, and could only be made better if they would get some higher shutter speeds on the thing somehow. Cost being a factor though, I own a "poor man's M7", a Bessa R2a. I like it a lot, more than the Hexar RF, but if I had extra coins I'd get an M7.
Just could not get used to that camera, and it was the same w/ the Hexar AF. I have owned an M6, and assuming an M7 is essentially the same save for the AE and a few other things, I'd take the M7 in a heart beat. To me, that's the ultimate rangefinder, and could only be made better if they would get some higher shutter speeds on the thing somehow. Cost being a factor though, I own a "poor man's M7", a Bessa R2a. I like it a lot, more than the Hexar RF, but if I had extra coins I'd get an M7.
Gary Sandhu
Well-known
I had an M7, sold, then bought a Hexar RF -- loved it until the damn thing broke (shutter fault) and I can't get it fixed. Wish I'd bought another M7. (But I'm happiest with my MP).
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I own both. Love the 1/4000th and the easy loading on the Hexar. Love everything else about the M7.
Both are terrific, though the repair issues on the Hex is a little frightening.
Both are terrific, though the repair issues on the Hex is a little frightening.
umcelinho
Marcelo
same here. its specs are pretty impressive, but i just feel like taking the M4 out instead.
Moriturii
Well-known
Can anyone with a Konica Hexar RF and a mobile phone camera please put your cellphone camera up against the viewfinder and take a picture. I am really curious how the viewfinder looks with 50mm framelines! Sounds like the RF has a very wide FoV and the 50mm view might be tiny?
Update: Never mind, saw via the manual online, looks like 90mm framelines on a Leica M2, it's tiny
Dreams, shattered.
Update: Never mind, saw via the manual online, looks like 90mm framelines on a Leica M2, it's tiny
Dreams, shattered.
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barnwulf
Well-known
I would choose the M7 without a doubt. I like my M7 a lot but probably shoot a little more with my MP. Jim
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umcelinho
Marcelo
Can anyone with a Konica Hexar RF and a mobile phone camera please put your cellphone camera up against the viewfinder and take a picture. I am really curious how the viewfinder looks with 50mm framelines! Sounds like the RF has a very wide FoV and the 50mm view might be tiny?
Update: Never mind, saw via the manual online, looks like 90mm framelines on a Leica M2, it's tiny
not quite, they are considerably bigger... the 90mm framelines on my M4 are almost the size of the 75mm framelines on my Hexar RF. I'd say the 50mm framelines on the Hexar RF would be the size of the 75mm framelines on an M6.
Focus accuracy thought will be a tad lower than the M7 anyway, due to the viewfinder magnification, but I've taken some shots with a Canon 50/0.95 on the Hexar and it was accurate enough to not miss focus.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
It was for the squinty viewfinder that I sold the Hexar RF: I couldn't see the small led's in bright light, in fact that was the only problem I had with the camera. That was about three years ago. Now I see its value has dropped quite considerable, I guess because nobody can fix them anymore once they break down.
Moriturii
Well-known
Prices going down? Seems like they are on the ups to me, but I haven't been keeping track for that long so dunno. I am sure they last longer then a Leica though. A lot more reliable shutter.
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illuminati_02
Established
My 45 year old M2 and 6 year old M7 are still going strong. I would think the track record for the more reliable shutter would go to the Leica. If they ever did go, I could atleast get them fixed easily, and have more than a pretty paperweight. Same reason I had sold my CLE several years ago.
Archiver
Veteran
That's one of the reasons why I have held off from getting a Hexar RF or CL/CLE - relative scarcity of repair options. I just feel more comfortable knowing that my M7 will receive a speedy cure if something ails it, rather than having to send a Hexar RF or Minolta CLE to a distant hospital or cruise the streets for unwilling donors, as it were!
Gary Sandhu
Well-known
Update-- got my hexar fixed from Japan Exposures.
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Hi, what can i say after months using my hexar i´m son happy!
1/4000 really lets you make a few things...
cheers!
That is a really lovely shot and says more to me about the nature of film as opposed to the differences between bodies.
I used to own a Hexar RF a few years ago and now I have an M7. I don't actually think I could choose between the two.
The M7 is a really nice camera in all ways, however the Hexar had some outstanding attributes such as the higher exposure speed.
I have had to buy a ND filter for when I want to open up a fast lens in daylight in order to compensate for the lack of top end speed on the M7.
umcelinho
Marcelo
been thinking here, the poll should be "four Hexar RFs vs one M7"
I've grown to enjoy mine more, been using it as my daily camera in the bag along with a 35/1.4 SC Nokton, using Fuji Superia 800. It will cover pretty much ANY light situation and still allow wider apertures on daylight. I prefer using a faster film as the odds that I'll be shooting in low light are higher than daylight, though. For a quick snap, I've been using an UV filter as lens cap, so one less thing to worry about: i just take the camera from the bag, frame and click. it's usually set to f5.6 during day, when i leave work at night i set to 1.4. extremely versatile kit.
but i have been thinking about getting a x100 for my daily shooting, it being digital and absolutely silent would make things even more practical. thought of a compact, but i'd miss the image quality.
I've grown to enjoy mine more, been using it as my daily camera in the bag along with a 35/1.4 SC Nokton, using Fuji Superia 800. It will cover pretty much ANY light situation and still allow wider apertures on daylight. I prefer using a faster film as the odds that I'll be shooting in low light are higher than daylight, though. For a quick snap, I've been using an UV filter as lens cap, so one less thing to worry about: i just take the camera from the bag, frame and click. it's usually set to f5.6 during day, when i leave work at night i set to 1.4. extremely versatile kit.
but i have been thinking about getting a x100 for my daily shooting, it being digital and absolutely silent would make things even more practical. thought of a compact, but i'd miss the image quality.
raid
Dad Photographer
A better question would be whether to get one M7 or three Hexar RF cameras.
olleorama
flasher extraordinaire
Have not shot with an M7, only M6 and hexar. I would defo go with hexar.
Moriturii
Well-known
M7 is exactly the same as M6, only it has aperture priority mode. In fact all Leica's are more or less exactly the same, only difference is viewfinder (and the rangefinder with the M3), and some very minor internal mechanical components that makes next to no difference, only saves cost for Leica. If you have tried/used one you have used them all. But still, people are vain enough to spend a few extra hundred dollars on a M6 instead of an M4-P, funnyyyyyyyyyy.
But don't tell anyone, best keep Hexar prices low.
pb908
Well-known
The poll should be "one m7 vs one m2/m3+a hexar RF"
definitely I'll choose m2/m3+hexar (and possible to get a VC35 as a bonus for the same price)
Let hexar be the main, and M2/M3 be the backup.
Let hexar be the workhorse, and let M2/M3 do the fun time..
I know that hexar 35mm frame line is smaller than m2's 35mm frameline, but isn't that the meaning of "rangefinder=seeing out of the scene"?
definitely I'll choose m2/m3+hexar (and possible to get a VC35 as a bonus for the same price)
Let hexar be the main, and M2/M3 be the backup.
Let hexar be the workhorse, and let M2/M3 do the fun time..
I know that hexar 35mm frame line is smaller than m2's 35mm frameline, but isn't that the meaning of "rangefinder=seeing out of the scene"?
stip80
Member
i understand that one may say that it will be much easier to find someone who can fix m7. but at what price? at the worst case, the repair cost may cost as much as, or even more than, finding used decent hexar. dont you think so?
i agree w/ pb908. if the point is having leica vs non-leica, i wud rather spend the money on m2/m3/m4, which would not cost you a limb as m7, but would definitely be easier to fix/repair as it is a fully mechanical camera as opposed to m7. if you have to spend the money, spend the difference on those coveted leica lens.
i agree w/ pb908. if the point is having leica vs non-leica, i wud rather spend the money on m2/m3/m4, which would not cost you a limb as m7, but would definitely be easier to fix/repair as it is a fully mechanical camera as opposed to m7. if you have to spend the money, spend the difference on those coveted leica lens.
Nick De Marco
Well-known
I'm lucky 2 have all 3 and any of them are very good cameras
If I had to choose to keep one it would be the M7, with the Seuss ikon coming very close second
If I had to choose to keep one it would be the M7, with the Seuss ikon coming very close second