Fraser
Well-known
I think just for the ease of re-sale M6.
Leica M6 vs. Konica Hexar RF vs. Zeiss Ikon ZM
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Harry S.
Well-known
I just dusted off my M6. Yeah its pretty nice now you all mention it! 😱
user237428934
User deletion pending
Hexar RF might be nice if it works. Bought mine on the evil bay and it never worked properly. Repair in Europe seems not to be possible anymore so it's the most expensive paperweight I own.
Own the Zeiss and had the M6. Don't miss the M6 so far. Never got used to the full manual camera.
Own the Zeiss and had the M6. Don't miss the M6 so far. Never got used to the full manual camera.
dubes
Member
I'd steer clear of the Hexar. While it can take m-mount lenses, it's not 100% compatible with Leica m lenses (slightly different focus calibration).
I started with the Ikon but didn't like the feel. The film rewind wasn't smooth and it was hard to load (could have been my sample, which was second-hand). I tried getting it fixed but ended up selling it and getting an M6. You give up Aperture priority mode, but you get a better handling camera, IMHO.
I started with the Ikon but didn't like the feel. The film rewind wasn't smooth and it was hard to load (could have been my sample, which was second-hand). I tried getting it fixed but ended up selling it and getting an M6. You give up Aperture priority mode, but you get a better handling camera, IMHO.
pb908
Well-known
I have hexar, and m2/m3. I open both top plate to see what's inside and do some mod.
I can say,leica top plate is as thick as hexar, the different is the hexar one made from titanium.
my hexar never failed on me, and after I modif the frame line, this become perfect 35mm ZI-like framelines set. For 500$, who could resist a nice hexar RF?
I can say,leica top plate is as thick as hexar, the different is the hexar one made from titanium.
my hexar never failed on me, and after I modif the frame line, this become perfect 35mm ZI-like framelines set. For 500$, who could resist a nice hexar RF?
inSIGHT
Member
I had the same question regarding whether to get an M6 or ZI a month or two ago on this forum. After all the advice, I decided to get a good user M6 and every penny was well spent. The M6 is such a joy to shoot with and has cast it's leica hook deep within me. Good luck with your choice.
dct
perpetual amateur
Hexar repair
Hexar repair
Don't give up. If you are interested re-activating your HRF, have a look at this thread.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106620
It seems reliable and used from all over the world. Not only for Hexars.
Hexar repair
Don't give up. If you are interested re-activating your HRF, have a look at this thread.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106620
It seems reliable and used from all over the world. Not only for Hexars.
Moriturii
Well-known
All I can say is my Hexar RF works perfect. Now that's a USER/OWNER talking, and not what I overheard someone say on the internetz.
thegman
Veteran
I have had a Zeiss Ikon, and a Leica M6, for me the Ikon is the clear winner. The finder really is a *lot* bigger and clearer. I also like the AE of the Ikon, and the meter display. The Leica M6 simply points left or right for over/under exposure, no indication of how much over/under exposure. Zeiss Ikon also has what most people would consider easier film loading.
The appeal of the M6, other than the red dot is build quality, which although the M6 was heavier, I did not especially find it better built, maybe just a touch, but it's very hard to say. If you simply must have a Leica, I'd look at an M3 or something, I got one after the M6, and it's a lovely, simple camera.
Only ever used a Hexar RF in a shop, nice enough, but I'm not big on motor winds and the battery dependence it means. I did like it though, and if you don't mind the batteries and maybe the harder to find service, it's got to be worth a look.
For Bessas, I just got my first, an R4A, love it. The build is a little "clunky", but the viewfinder is like looking at life in HD. It has a wide finder, for up to 21mm lenses, and it's just superb for that. If you shoot 35mm and wider, it's certainly worthy of consideration.
I think they're all good though, you can't go wrong with any of them.
The appeal of the M6, other than the red dot is build quality, which although the M6 was heavier, I did not especially find it better built, maybe just a touch, but it's very hard to say. If you simply must have a Leica, I'd look at an M3 or something, I got one after the M6, and it's a lovely, simple camera.
Only ever used a Hexar RF in a shop, nice enough, but I'm not big on motor winds and the battery dependence it means. I did like it though, and if you don't mind the batteries and maybe the harder to find service, it's got to be worth a look.
For Bessas, I just got my first, an R4A, love it. The build is a little "clunky", but the viewfinder is like looking at life in HD. It has a wide finder, for up to 21mm lenses, and it's just superb for that. If you shoot 35mm and wider, it's certainly worthy of consideration.
I think they're all good though, you can't go wrong with any of them.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Both of my M6 (classic) indicated the degree of over / under exposure by the brightness of the corresponding LED.
user237428934
User deletion pending
The Zeiss needs batteries too because without the shutter won't fire.
user237428934
User deletion pending
P
Peter S
Guest
All three are excellent camera's. Started with Voigtlanbder R3a (with 40 rokkor) which infected me with the RF virus, then moved on to a m6 and along the way tried a ZI in a store and did not like it. It felt a little bit too boxy in my hands, just not right. You can read all the reviews you want, but in the end you will have to decide yourself and ideally you handle all the cameras mentioned. Somebody mentioned resale value and I think that is a very valid point, M6 is a better choice in that respect.
With a M6 you maybe get a bit of the Leica mystique and a camera that Starck said he could not have designed better etc etc. In the end it is just a tool, but if it a tool that you consider special that always adds to the experience. Some people are more susceptible to these matters than others. I always enjoy beauty even in simple things like an Opinel pocketknife.
With a M6 you maybe get a bit of the Leica mystique and a camera that Starck said he could not have designed better etc etc. In the end it is just a tool, but if it a tool that you consider special that always adds to the experience. Some people are more susceptible to these matters than others. I always enjoy beauty even in simple things like an Opinel pocketknife.
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Pikapig
Loving Analog
Use all n u will have de answer..buy them 2nd hand n sell them after using..then by e time u experienced all 3..u will know which to buy back🙂
thegman
Veteran
Yes, that's quite right, but I prefer something more obvious like highlight current speed, and flash preferred speed, or something like that.
maddoc
... likes film again.
thegman
Veteran
Yes, that's true, but I put in new ones when I bought it, never changed them. In a motor wind camera, they'll obviously die a lot faster though.
I should have clarified, I don't mind batteries if you're only changing them every year or something, but with a motor wind, it's a lot more than that. I agree though, if you truly want no batteries at all, then the ZI is not the camera.
thegman
Veteran
I did really like the Hexar in the brief time I played with one, I think they are great value too, I forget how much it was, but the body + Hexanon was less than I paid for the M6 body alone.
umcelinho
Marcelo
risk of failing and being a headache to fix exists, BUT let's face it: we do read about failing cameras all around, but consider the % these represent on the total of cameras around and it's somewhat comforting. but better always be prepared for it. hexar rfs can fail, as well as m6s, bessas and zis.
feature wise, match the hexar rf with a 35/1.4 nokton and iso 800 film and you get an extremely versatile combo, that is extremely compact and will be ready for pretty much any kind of light situation. it's a very competent camera and very quick for daily use. the viewfinder is great for those who wear glasses and prefer 35mm focal length. i think the only downside might be it being not as silent as a manual cocked camera, the electronic advance might bring some attention to it. i havent so far used the mid-roll rewind, but for sure it is very useful, and somewhat encourages the use of more adequate iso films for the current situation. also, not having to cock the shutter can be helpful in some situations where manually advancing would be a visual key to a subject that you took a picture.
After I got the Hexar RF I wasnt very comfortable with it, but started giving it some more love and nowadays it's my daily camera, in the above mentioned setting.
feature wise, match the hexar rf with a 35/1.4 nokton and iso 800 film and you get an extremely versatile combo, that is extremely compact and will be ready for pretty much any kind of light situation. it's a very competent camera and very quick for daily use. the viewfinder is great for those who wear glasses and prefer 35mm focal length. i think the only downside might be it being not as silent as a manual cocked camera, the electronic advance might bring some attention to it. i havent so far used the mid-roll rewind, but for sure it is very useful, and somewhat encourages the use of more adequate iso films for the current situation. also, not having to cock the shutter can be helpful in some situations where manually advancing would be a visual key to a subject that you took a picture.
After I got the Hexar RF I wasnt very comfortable with it, but started giving it some more love and nowadays it's my daily camera, in the above mentioned setting.
rdeleskie
Well-known
If you are delving into the world of M mount lenses I highly recommend the M6. If you don't get one you'll always be curious. If you decide you don't like it you can easily sell it. Start the adventure with a Leica and see where the path leads you.
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