Hexar RF still being serviced?

[Doug]

Having been "In Repair" status for a week, today I got a phone call from a customer service guy at Precision wanting me to send them my lens so they could complete the repair. Geez, sounds like a recording of Greg Weber's request of Sepiareverb...

I told him the RF seems to be fine now after their expert previous repair, that I don't have any Konica lenses, that I was surprised they didn't have one in the shop (it had to be MY lens, I'm guessing the 50/2). He seemed to be nonplussed that I didn't have the accompanying lens. I told him I had other 50mm lenses I might use on the camera.

Said he'd consult with the repair guys and get back to me later in the day but didn't call again. Wonder what that was all about...

 

[sepiareverb]

Between the three of us they could easily afford a Konica 50/2.

I'm still thinking about sending mine back, I'll give them another call today. Should never have bothered with this damn pos.

 

[reala_fan]

Gents - I spoke to Greg Weber about alignment on mine before I sent it to Precision.

He also told me (this was months ago) that the 50mm f2 was absolutetly essential for proper RF alignment.

I don't know why, as the Leica specs should be known and able to be reproduced with any 50mm, but no...he also wanted the M-Hex 50mm to be able to do the alignment.

I didn't send mine to Greg because he quoted $150.00, and said the likelyhood was that it needed a part that was unavailable. I sent mine to precision in hopes they did have some *MAGICAL* access to parts that Greg didn't.

It was not to be.

 

[reala_fan]

Here is a shot from my Hexar after returned from Precision. Thankfully, all still works fine and at least it can be used as a Wide Angle body:

 

[Doug]

Seems to be able to make a photo! What does the unfixed RF alignment look like at this point?

 

[reala_fan]

Seems to be able to make a photo! What does the unfixed RF alignment look like at this point?

Hello Doug...

As I said before sending mine to Precision...all worked fine. Metered great, film handling was great etc...

The RF patch is still unusable. Does not line up.

The lens used for the photo is uncoupled to the RF, you just set hyperfocal distances (the lens focus is notched, you can set it blindfolded).

Since your Hexar came back with problems it didn't have when you sent it, I wanted to point out that mine did make it back without further incident.

Also see that Precision never charged my card, either.

I just bought another Hexar RF from the classified ads here that is said to work well.

I really like the Konica RF, if I can get one that is 100% working I am sure it will serve me well for years to come.

Might keep this afflicted body as a parts bin (for all but RF parts).

 

[awilder]

If you are handy, adjusting the camera's rf isn't all that hard since the top easily comes off with the removal of 4 screws and the screw-on cap on the ISO dial, takes less than 5 minutes to take of the top but may take much longer to get it adjusted just right. No wires to get in the way or to desolder. The rf adjustment is explained here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1937&page=2
You've got nothing to lose if you plan to use the camera for parts.

 

[reala_fan]

Adjusting the camera's rf isn't all that hard since the top easily comes off with the removal of 4 screws and the screw-on cap on the ISO dial, takes less than 5 minutes. No wires to get in the way or to desolder. The rf adjustment is explained here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1937&page=2
You've got nothing to lose if you plan to use the camera for parts.

Precision said my RF system has a broken part that cannot be obtained.

When I spoke to Greg Weber, he said the same. That early examples had an RF part that was prone to snapping. After camera number 800, the design was changed - later cameras didn't have this problem. He was able to fix the early cameras until Konica-Minolta sold to Sony. After the sale to Sony, the RF parts completely dried up. He says there are zero parts for this camera, period.

He is always looking for partially working examples for parts bins.

 

[awilder]

It might be worth a shot to contact Ken Ruth: http://www.baldmtn.com/AINFOSHT2.htm. Although they don't generally work on electronic cameras, your problem is not of that nature and I find it interesting that they can fabricate parts. Maybe they can make the part you need if the have the broken piece to work with. They seem to like a challege.

 

[reala_fan]

It might be worth a shot to contact Ken Ruth: http://www.baldmtn.com/AINFOSHT2.htm. Although they don't generally work on electronic cameras, your problem is not of that nature and I find it interesting that they can fabricate parts. Maybe they can make the part you need if the have the broken piece to work with. They seem to like a challege.

Good suggestion!! I know Ken has been around for many years doing speciality repairs.

Just sent Ken an email. Will report back.

Thanks!!

 

[pphuang]

All is not lost, fellow Hexar owners! 😀

The auto advance on my Hexar suddenly started going bonkers - it would stop after 2-3 frames, and then the whole camera would lock up. I sent it to Precision, although I was a bit nervous after reading all the problems in this thread. They replaced the transport gears, did a general cleaning, and also repaired a problem with the hotshoe (they took it upon themselves to fix this, I did not ask them to do it) without any extra charges. Turnaround was 72 hours, and my camera is now good as new!

Just wanted to convey a good experience for those that are thinking about sending their Hexars to Precision, for what its worth...

 

[Doug]

Paul, I'm envious of that 72-hour turn-around time! And your film transport problem sounds a little like mine too. Coming up on 3 weeks in their shop now...

 

[pphuang]

Paul, I'm envious of that 72-hour turn-around time! And your film transport problem sounds a little like mine too. Coming up on 3 weeks in their shop now...

Maybe I was just lucky and they had the parts available to fix my particular problem. I hope you get your camera back soon, Doug...

 

[Doug]

Ok, latest turn-around time for me: One month to the day.
On 4/30/09, Repair Status Lookup shows "Out of Repair" and "Ship Confirmed".
They shipped UPS 3-Day Select, flew into Seattle 5/1 at 1736 hrs, running into a weekend only 110 miles away -- oddly Delivery due Wed the 6th!
I am very interested to find what they've been doing with my black Hexar RF on this return visit to fix film wind problems that weren't there on the previous visit for RF alignment. Sure hope it's running perfectly!

 

[Bill58]

It might be worth a shot to contact Ken Ruth: http://www.baldmtn.com/AINFOSHT2.htm. Although they don't generally work on electronic cameras, your problem is not of that nature and I find it interesting that they can fabricate parts. Maybe they can make the part you need if the have the broken piece to work with. They seem to like a challege.

If it can be made outa' steel or Delrin plastic, I'll bet S.K. Grimes (http://www.skgrimes.com/index.htm) can make it too, but it may be high cost. Those guys are geniuses and they're work is impeccable.

 

[pphuang]

I am very interested to find what they've been doing with my black Hexar RF on this return visit to fix film wind problems that weren't there on the previous visit for RF alignment. Sure hope it's running perfectly!

Keep us posted. Everybody likes a happy ending! 🙂

 

[ChrisN]

Ok, latest turn-around time for me: One month to the day.
On 4/30/09, Repair Status Lookup shows "Out of Repair" and "Ship Confirmed".
They shipped UPS 3-Day Select, flew into Seattle 5/1 at 1736 hrs, running into a weekend only 110 miles away -- oddly Delivery due Wed the 6th!
I am very interested to find what they've been doing with my black Hexar RF on this return visit to fix film wind problems that weren't there on the previous visit for RF alignment. Sure hope it's running perfectly!

Doug - any word?

 

[sepiareverb]

Well mine is back with Precision. I tried to have the camera sent to Japan through some connections at Sony USA, but couldn't get it to happen. I got a call from someone at Precision Friday last, (6 days ago) saying that he would get back to me later that day after talking to the tech. No word then or since. He did say they 'probably' had a Hex 50 there- but didn't seem to know anything about the camera. Camera is still 'in repair'.

 

[Doug]

Doug - any word?

Thanks Chris... Yes, it arrived back day before yesterday, a day earlier than predicted. RF still looks ok; I had been wondering after that phone call about sending them a 50 Hexanon that I don't have.

Yesterday I loaded a test roll of film, and it seemed to load ok, but I haven't done any shooting yet. Maybe now as I walk downtown to get a haircut. 🙂 I put the 50/2 Heliar Classic on it...

 

[ChrisN]

Fingers crossed - hope it behaves itself. I got to handle a Hexar RF a few days ago for the first time, and it seemed very good in the hand. I've been considering an M7 for the AE, and the Hexar offers that for a considerably lower cost. The only problem now seems to be reliability with the aging camera and the availability of servicing and critical spare parts. KEH has some kits (camera, 50/2 lens and flash in a nice box) for an attractive price, but ...