Konica Hexar RF's viewfinder

[Fly Ricky the Wine T]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to buy a m-mount rangefinder camera and my principal criterion is the viewfinder. So, I have three questions about hexar's one.
- I've read that it was built by the same compagny that made the contax t3 viewfinder, I've got one and I don't like it, not clear enough and too contrasty. Is it really the same quality ?
- Do you find the 90mm framelines useable ?
- How are the framelines ? Complete ? With round edges ?

Thanks for your future answers !

 

[Scrambler]

1) I haven't seen a Contax T3. I can't comment on the comparison. Compared to a Bessa R viewfinder the colour casts of main view and RF spot are about the same. Bessa R viewfinder is slightly larger and therefore appears brighter. The Hexar RF VF seems identical in size, brightness and contrast to a Minolta CLE. Both are 0.6 magnification. I don't think the T3 has the same VF.
2) I find the 90mm framelines usable.
3) Picture of framelines attached.

50/75 frameline by Scrambler@4350, on Flickr


35/135 Hexar RF frameline by Scrambler@4350, on Flickr


28/90 frameline by Scrambler@4350, on Flickr


Through VF - 35mm frame line by Scrambler@4350, on Flickr

Hope that helps.

 

[KoNickon]

The framelines are very easy to see; 90mm is quite usable. The secondary image is very bright; almost overwhelms the direct image, truth to tell. The lower magnification makes it harder to focus in lower light than, say, an M3, but that's really not a fair comparison! I actually prefer the CLE finder because I find that it's brighter -- it's actually one of the very best finders out there, I think. Nonetheless, the Hexar is a superb camera.

 

[a.noctilux]

RF's finder is as "good" (or better with readable shutter speed) as Leica M6 with only x 0.6 .

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

Hexar RF is funny to use but not so "lovely" as Leica.

Arnaud

 

[KoNickon]

I might take issue with you on the "lovely" part -- I think it's about as handsome a camera as you'll find. Modern but timeless.

 

[Fly Ricky the Wine T]

Thanks for the replies ! Thanks a lot Scrambler, that helps for sure !
I'm closer to buy it. The love part is bogging me a little because I had a Leica M4-2 that was so nice to use, I don't think I'll find the Hexar as lovely.
*

 

[Scrambler]

I might take issue with you on the "lovely" part -- I think it's about as handsome a camera as you'll find. Modern but timeless.

This says it precisely for me. I often glance over the classifieds and think "That's a nice looking Leica" - and then realise it's a Hexar RF. It's a Leica M with the design fussiness taken out.

I think that for using rather than fondling, the Hexar seems to offer quite a few perks - instant loading, motor advance and rewind, AE, 1/4000 shutter - while retaining compatibility down to using goggled lenses. And it's cheaper than even the most beat-up basic M Leica.

What's not to love? 😎

 

[kanzlr]

I own an M4 and a Hexar RF.

I prefer the Hexar for almost everything. It fits better in the hand, autowinding is nice to have as is AE and AEL, the viewfinder is superb, just lower in magnification, which is nice when using a 28mm lens.

The Hexar, to me, is the best 35mm rangefinder available, I wouldn't trade it for an M7 or ZM (altough I thought about buying an M7 a while ago, I simply prefer the Hexars ergonomics).

 

[umcelinho]

to me the only issue about the hexar rf viewfinder is that you gotta center your eye well or you might get focus a bif off.. that said, if you do it as it should, it's accurate enough to focus a 50/0.95. at least i did with my canon dreams lens, and it surprised me. but another roll with the same lens i wasn't very cautious with focusing and it came a bit off. an adapter and 1.35 magnifier will cost about 350 dollars on megaperls, this way you get a pretty high magnification for a fast 50 or longer lens while keeping the advantages of the camera.

for 35mm lenses, and probably 28mm too (which I dont shoot with), it's a fantastic finder. enough relief around the framelines make shooting with a 35 pure joy.

 

[judsonzhao]

You definitely want to go Zeiss Ikon if you want the best finder.

 

[pb908]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to buy a m-mount rangefinder camera and my principal criterion is the viewfinder. So, I have three questions about hexar's one.
- I've read that it was built by the same compagny that made the contax t3 viewfinder, I've got one and I don't like it, not clear enough and too contrasty. Is it really the same quality ?
- Do you find the 90mm framelines useable ?
- How are the framelines ? Complete ? With round edges ?

Thanks for your future answers !

dont forget about flare
i never see any flare from hexar vf.
and it easily to be modified for single frameline. i did mine and never regret it

 

[Retrotech68]

I don't own the Hexar RF, but I once compared an example a friend has with my CLE and reached the same conclusion as Scrambler, with the Hexar vf being perhaps slightly, but only very slightly though, brighter than the CLE. But my experience with the Hexar was limited to a sunny morning only. Another friend firmly stands behind the allegedly superiority of his Zeiss Ikon vf over any other 35mm RF, including the M7 (but he never handled/tried/used the Hexar, so I'd take his advise/praise of the ZM with some caution).