Konica Hexar RF Rangefinder Adjustment Tutorial

[edinator]

I made a guide on how to adjust the rangefinder on the Hexar. There are a few thread floating around on Rangefinderforum and elsewhere which helped me a lot but there were still a few unclear things which I had to figure out myself. Hopefully this guide from someone who has done it (successfully) will clear up any doubts that any potential DIYers may have.

Let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.edtse.com/konica-hexar-rf-rangefinder-diy-adjustment/

 

[jmilkins]

Excellent work - thanks for taking the time Ed. Mirrors my own experiences with the Hex RF - a fine camera IMHO, though for me non-battery dependent M mounts are preferable.

Also enjoyed your blog and photography (Minolta fan here too).

 

[marko.oja]

Just be VERY careful when making the horizontal adjustments. The screw in my RF split and took a chunk of the prism with it.

 

[Vobluda]

Turning gear is factory waxed after being adjusted.
This should be done again after RF is adjusted either by wax or special Loctite for example!

I made a guide on how to adjust the rangefinder on the Hexar. There are a few thread floating around on Rangefinderforum and elsewhere which helped me a lot but there were still a few unclear things which I had to figure out myself. Hopefully this guide from someone who has done it (successfully) will clear up any doubts that any potential DIYers may have.

Let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.edtse.com/konica-hexar-rf-rangefinder-diy-adjustment/

 

[edinator]

@jmilkins Thanks! I like to have battery independent cameras as well. I think I'll stick to my CLE and CL for my 35 rangefinder needs.

@marko.oja Yes, definitely get a screwdriver that has enough clearance. Someone had previously tried to adjust mine, through the small opening on top I assume and the prism has a small chip. I don't notice it in the finder but definitely be careful.

@Vobluda I haven't locked mine up yet but good point. I wonder how necessary it is since the rangefinder went out of whack even with the wax in place.

 

[Vobluda]

If you dont lock it focusing will be off within couple of hours of usage - even vibrations from walking will do the job, not to even mention car, public transport or airplane.

@jmilkins Thanks! I like to have battery independent cameras as well. I think I'll stick to my CLE and CL for my 35 rangefinder needs.

@marko.oja Yes, definitely get a screwdriver that has enough clearance. Someone had previously tried to adjust mine, through the small opening on top I assume and the prism has a small chip. I don't notice it in the finder but definitely be careful.

@Vobluda I haven't locked mine up yet but good point. I wonder how necessary it is since the rangefinder went out of whack even with the wax in place.

 

[edinator]

If you dont lock it focusing will be off within couple of hours of usage - even vibrations from walking will do the job, not to even mention car, public transport or airplane.

The adjustments were pretty difficult to adjust in the first place but I can see how it can become misaligned again with continued vibration. Looks like I'll have to add another item to my shopping list.

 

[Evan Bedford]

Wow! I think it worked! The "wax" was somewhat petrified...on both the vertical and horizontal adjustment thingies. However with a bit of patience, an exacto knife and very small needle nose pliers (for the vertical wheel, while steadying the wheel holder with a small screwdriver), I managed to loosen everything. Still very stiff though, so I didn't bother putting any loctite back on.

I initially measured out 5m from an object, and used a plumb bob to get the camera film plane the right distance. Once I got that fine tuned, I went outside (luckily it was a cloudless night) and sighted on a bright star. And it worked! Many thanks to EDTSE for the pioneering spirit, and for the truly excellent documentation. 🙂🙂🙂

 

[Evan Bedford]

What puzzles me is how the camera could have originally been so far out of whack and still have the vert. and horiz. adjustments glued in place. Is there something in the camera other than those two adjusters which might cause the alignments to slowly (or quickly) go out of alignment?