Konica Hexar RF?

[jrong]

I need someone to talk me out of this.

I have too many cameras already. I have 3 rangefinders in my collection, an MF rangefinder which I want to sell... and 2 that I am keeping - a Bessa R and a cheapo Yashica Electro 35. I don't really need anymore rangefinders from different systems, although I admit I've been vaguely tempted by the Leica M7 recently.

But.... someone is offering to pick up the Konica Hexar RF for me from Hong Kong. Not the AF version, but the manual focus version. I don't know much about it. Why the Hexar RF? What has it got going for it?

Someone talk me out of it, please. 🙂

Jin

 

[rover]

Then only listen to the oft questioned rumors that it was made to a different back focus distance than other Leica M cameras and can't focus Leica lenses. That should cool you off. Stop reading before the next post or paragraph which contradicts that statement saying that it is unfounded and wholly untrue.

 

[aizan]

do you actually need a hexar rf?

 

[hinius]

It's pretty much my ideal street photography camera:

0.6x viewfinder ideally suited for my 28, 35 and 50 lenses (I got mine on Ebay with 28 and 50 Hexanons)

1/4000th minimum shutter speed so that I can shoot 1250 film in the day

Auto-exposure

Motor-drive

I'm sure many old-school shooters would probably dislike some of the things I've just listed, but there's not another M-mount rangefinder that I'd want use other than perhaps the Zeiss Ikon. If it's good enough for Friedlander, it's good enough for me!

 

[jrong]

LOL.
Whoever said anything about "need"? 😉

 

[aizan]

let calm objectivity drain away the lust for new toys. only then will you achieve enlightenment. meditate upon this truth with us. ohmmmmm...ohmmmmm...*boot to the head*

 

[pvdhaar]

The best reason not to buy a Hexar RF is that there's no specific forum for it on RFF 🙂

Serious though..

The 0.6x viewfinder is its biggest asset and its biggest liability. Either you love it or you hate it. As stated above, it's splendid for wide angles, but you'll curse it if you want to mount anything longer than 50mm.

I've used a CV90mm on my Hexar RF, and although it beats going to the dentist, it only does so by a slight margin..

Another thing is the automation, especially the motor wind. It makes a distinctive noise, which although it's not really loud may put you off. It's a decidedly different experience than from a Bessa-R.

Conclusion: this is a try before you buy camera.

 

[furcafe]

The Hexar RF is a great camera for the reasons hinius mentions, indeed it has many features that Leica should have included in the M7 (although the VF/RF is not as nice as the Leicas), but it is a Leica M-mount camera, meaning that if you don't have any desire/need to get into that (very expensive) universe, then it may be best to pass.

 

[thpook]

I own one, and I love it dearly. It's at its best with a 35 mounted on it. It's actually quieter in Continuous shooting mode than in single shot, the viewfinder is great and very flare resistant (multi-coated finder!) the body is rock solid (Titanium!) and batteries last longer in the Hexar than in a Leica M7. The meter is very rarely wrong (even though I rarely use it), and the 1/4000th shutter speed is a godsend, especially when you shoot with it after you have shot with the Hexar AF (1/250th max shutter speed).

It does have some flaws, though. The paint doesn't stick so well to the body, meaning that it is easier to scratch one than a black Leica. The strap eyelets are set too far forward, making the camera hang weird when it's around your neck. If you slam your camera around, the RF will quickly go out of adjustment (though it is easy to adjust the RF, so it's not too big a problem). I personally find that the viewfinder is just as good as the comparable Leica viewfinder. It's just as bright and usable as an M6 Classic or an M4-P, in any case.

The backfocus thing? Absolute poppycock. It focusses all my lenses perfectly, the only caveat being that I refuse to use my 90mm f/2.8 at any aperture wider than f/4. Too many out of focus shots. It's definitely not impossible to focus the 90mm, but it is certainly not as easy as it is with my M2.

The Hexar RF is a damn good camera, and is in some ways the camera the M7 should have been.

 

[Bertram2]

Then only listen to the oft questioned rumors that it was made to a different back focus distance than other Leica M cameras and can't focus Leica lenses. That should cool you off. Stop reading before the next post or paragraph which contradicts that statement saying that it is unfounded and wholly untrue.

Some had probs, some not and as it has turned out it was not a different design but a matter of flange tolerances , wider then the Leica tolerances.
It CAN cause probs but it must not. Living completely in the M39 world I was never tempted anyway tho for me it would be undoubtedly the better Leica M6 !
Bertram

 

[furcafe]

I agree w/most of your points, but my reference to the Hexar's RF/VF being inferior to the Leica (IMHO) is based on the fact that the Hexar's RF patch "wanders," i.e., if your eye isn't centered in the VF (happens more often if you wear glasses like me), the secondary image shifts around a bit (vertically & horizontally) & it can be difficult to tell if you've focused correctly. It's not a fatal flaw, but does exist. The Hexar's VF is bright enough, though, provides plenty of eye relief (nice big VF opening), & doesn't suffer from the RF patch flare problem that plagues the M4-P through early M7 Leicas.

I'm also mystified by the forward placement of the strap lugs (the Kyocera Contax G2, which shares many of the same parts as the Hexar RF, has the same problem), as it only makes ergonomic sense if a big heavy telephoto or Noctilux is mounted on the camera, & the Hexar isn't exactly the best body for such lenses. Perhaps they were catering to those guys who prefer carrying cameras w/the lens facing towards your body?!

It does have some flaws, though. The paint doesn't stick so well to the body, meaning that it is easier to scratch one than a black Leica. The strap eyelets are set too far forward, making the camera hang weird when it's around your neck. If you slam your camera around, the RF will quickly go out of adjustment (though it is easy to adjust the RF, so it's not too big a problem). I personally find that the viewfinder is just as good as the comparable Leica viewfinder. It's just as bright and usable as an M6 Classic or an M4-P, in any case.

 

[KoNickon]

I have the RF, and it makes me think long and hard about why the heck I would ever want a Leica M. Not mentioned in the previous posts (though you probably know this) is that, unlike the M Leicas, it has a normally opening back and auto wind-on of the film -- fastest rangefinder camera in this regard you'll ever find. The meter is absolutely great, as was mentioned before. Makes the Bessas' meters seem positively rudimentary. Terrific RF/VF -- better than the Bessas', I think -- the RF patch is noticeably brighter. Having 28mm framelines is really convenient. Battery dependent, yes, but extremely frugal on consumption. I'd say a set of two CR2s lasts well over a year on average.

The build quality of the camera is absolutely top-notch. The same is true of the lenses, and optically they're as good as anything available. Speaking of which, I've had absolutely no problems focusing the 90/2.8 Hexanon, even with its .58 magnification finder. I have a number of the Voigtlander lenses and they work great with this camera -- the 35/1.7 is a particular favorite.

I suppose I'd still like an M3, just for that higher magnification finder. (I like the 135mm focal length.) But if Konica Minolta ever were to come out with a .85 version of the Hexar, I'd be all over it.

For me, this is a no-brainer. So, why isn't there a Hexar forum on RFF?

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

Hi Jin,

I recently picked up a second body from a member here. They're a great camera. I wouldn't hesitate. As mentioned by others, I use a number of CV lenses with mine without any problems.

Good luck,

Lou

 

[Jason_K]

Here's a couple articles about it (if you hadn't seen them already):

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/hexarrf.html

http://www.cameraquest.com/konicam.htm

I've got one and use it quite a bit with the 50/1.2 that came with it as well as a CV 28/1.9.
I love it. It's a great camera. It is by no means perfect but works for me.

 

[Bertram2]

Makes the Bessas' meters seem positively rudimentary.

Rudimentary ? Reading this I doubt you ever used a Bessa ? It's meter works as fine as any sophisticated matrix system in a modern SLR and I often asked myself where the progress really is in these matrix systems and the underlying algorithms.
My F80 does not better and my Gossen meter tells me again and again this pattern is well thought.
One should know the Bessa's sensivity pattern tho, abuse-resistant it isn't of course.

Bertram

 

[tom_f77]

Hey🙂

Shame you didn't make the meet up on Saturday since Tom Fenwick was using one for a time. To my ear the whole shutter/wind-on process was probably quieter than the clack of an R or R2. Of course, at the time we were standing half way along the GJ foot bridge over the Thames, so that might have had an effect!

ManGo

Just found this while digging up comments on Hexanon lenses - I've been away for a couple of weeks.

I agree with Manolo; the shutter/motor makes a noise for sure, but in other than silent conditions I don't think it's that noticeable; it's much softer than the smack of the bessa shutter. The bottom line is they both make a noise I suppose.

I also think there's less vibration from the shutter than on the Bessas; having shot quite a bit with an R, a T an R2 and an R3a, I definitely notice a better success rate at borderline shutter speeds.

The Hexar is the only one (of those mentioned above...) that I still have.

Tom

 

[laptoprob]

Sorry, I can't talk you out of getting a Hexar RF. I am so fond of mine that I am selling my Leica. The M2 is a beautiful camera, but the Hexar is... well, faster in changing light action because of the autoexposure. And in manual the built in meter is great.
The Hexar is well built and the viewfinder shows about every possible frame you might need.

I just keep on turning my thumb to advance...