sockeyed
Well-known
I'm not sure, Issy. Greg was refering to K-M USA. I don't know what would happen if you tried to get your Hexar RF repaired now.
My Hexar RF - to repair or trash it
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ampguy
Veteran
Curious -- did your tech measure the LTF distance and/or check for washers:
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/010ba.shtml
I've got Japan KM contact info if you want to try that route.
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/010ba.shtml
I've got Japan KM contact info if you want to try that route.
sockeyed
Well-known
That was the first thing that I ever looked into. The problem is that the focus errors are not linear: the lens would focus fine at most distances, but then would go to heck closer to the subject. It's clear that someone messed up the RF mechanism inside. Talking with Greg Weber, the earlier Hexars had very fragile plastic parts that were later replaced with metal ones. If he had the parts, he could make this change for me, but he's not sure that he does yet.
John
Well-known
I would make a spreadsheet that included the various repair choices and run through some different scenarios to get a feel for what you need to do. You will have to get more information to make your final decision. For example:
1. You can spend $300 with Ken Ruth to have it repaired and then sell it as a working camera while disclosing the flaw. The next owner can take the time to upgrade the repairs if they feel the need to do so.
2. You can get all the required parts to fix it properly and then get Ken Ruth to fix it completely. This could still just cost $300, you would have to ask?
3. If you are not inclined to choose #1 or #2 then you can pay Ken Ruth for his inspection work and get the camera back unrepaired.
4. By this time you will also know if Greg Weber found the parts? Maybe he found them and sent them to you. Maybe he sent them to Ken Ruth for you. Maybe he would like to do the repairs himself? Hopefully it is $300 or less.
5. You may have to go on the hunt yourself for the parts.
6. Maybe Japan can fix it economically? I'm not sure about that but maybe they can send you the parts you need.
7. Maybe a forum member will be finding a broken Konica somewhere and you can get what you need. Maybe a forum member will have a Konica with a good Rangefinder but he needs your shutter and circuit boards.
As long as you can be patient you can wait to get all the parts for the 100% repair. If that is not possible don't feel bad selling it with the 90% repair while disclosing same. When I bought my M3 the seller said the rangefinder brightlines were flaking a bit but it was usable - a "user". It cost me hundreds less than a pristine one, so I was lucky to find one like that. Hope this helps. Broken stuff is a real drag and it happens all the time. Something good will happen eventually, a whole rangefinder assembly will come up for $50, who knows. 😉
1. You can spend $300 with Ken Ruth to have it repaired and then sell it as a working camera while disclosing the flaw. The next owner can take the time to upgrade the repairs if they feel the need to do so.
2. You can get all the required parts to fix it properly and then get Ken Ruth to fix it completely. This could still just cost $300, you would have to ask?
3. If you are not inclined to choose #1 or #2 then you can pay Ken Ruth for his inspection work and get the camera back unrepaired.
4. By this time you will also know if Greg Weber found the parts? Maybe he found them and sent them to you. Maybe he sent them to Ken Ruth for you. Maybe he would like to do the repairs himself? Hopefully it is $300 or less.
5. You may have to go on the hunt yourself for the parts.
6. Maybe Japan can fix it economically? I'm not sure about that but maybe they can send you the parts you need.
7. Maybe a forum member will be finding a broken Konica somewhere and you can get what you need. Maybe a forum member will have a Konica with a good Rangefinder but he needs your shutter and circuit boards.
As long as you can be patient you can wait to get all the parts for the 100% repair. If that is not possible don't feel bad selling it with the 90% repair while disclosing same. When I bought my M3 the seller said the rangefinder brightlines were flaking a bit but it was usable - a "user". It cost me hundreds less than a pristine one, so I was lucky to find one like that. Hope this helps. Broken stuff is a real drag and it happens all the time. Something good will happen eventually, a whole rangefinder assembly will come up for $50, who knows. 😉
furcafe
Veteran
The problem w/parts is not restricted to cameras. I have a broken Dimage Scan Multi Pro, Minolta's old top-of-the-line scanner, & can't get it fixed (@ least here in the U.S.) because of a lack of parts. From what I've been told, Sony bought K-M just to get access to their image-stabilization & dSLR lens mount technology & they're still deciding how much, if any, service/repair services they're going to offer for legacy K-M products. The problem w/parts is they were either produced in K-M factories which Sony may not have acquired as part of the deal or produced by 3rd-party contractors & Sony may not be able to resurrect those production contracts even if they want to (assuming they even want to).
Issy said:
sockeyed
Well-known
Thanks, John, for laying out all the options. It's good to see them spelled out so clearly. I have asked Ken to throw the camera back together for me and return it. I'll probably wait to see what parts Greg Weber uncovers in the next few months. In the meantime, I'll probably use it as a Bessa L, zone-focusing with my 25mm.
John
Well-known
In the meantime you could place a "looking for" notice in the WTB thread. For some reason something comes to mind? Konica may have sourced the rangefinder assembly from a subcontractor. Other cameras may use some of the same parts. This would make things easier to find if that is so. 🙂
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
I will make some calls for you here in Japan on monday if you would like and see about getting the parts or sending it to them for repair ...... I will let you know .
Is it possible to get a part number and or any other information as it might help when talking to them ?
Also there are a lot of camera shops in my area and I could ask about parts ect.
One shop in particular I think may be of help.
Is it possible to get a part number and or any other information as it might help when talking to them ?
Also there are a lot of camera shops in my area and I could ask about parts ect.
One shop in particular I think may be of help.
sockeyed
Well-known
Thank you so much, Shiro_kuro. I'm afraid that I don't know any parts numbers, but the entire rangefinder mechanism seems to have been messed up.
cheers
Ben
cheers
Ben
shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
I talked to the folks at the Sony/Konica Minolta repair in Tokyo.
Usually they pick up the camera and take about 1 week to evaluate repairs needed .
I explained the camera is not in Japan. I was told they would look to see if they have the parts for the camera and will call me back in a few days .
A few things to consider If they have the parts .It may be possible to send the camera directly to them ,but they will only ship the repaired camera within Japan...The reason is payment...
They do a COD type of transaction ...the shipping company collects the payment and then gives you the camera.
Another option is they can ship the parts instead of receiving the camera --but again only to a Japan address .
I was told that they will call me back in few days and to let me know if they have the parts you are looking for ...so you might be in luck ..
Usually they pick up the camera and take about 1 week to evaluate repairs needed .
I explained the camera is not in Japan. I was told they would look to see if they have the parts for the camera and will call me back in a few days .
A few things to consider If they have the parts .It may be possible to send the camera directly to them ,but they will only ship the repaired camera within Japan...The reason is payment...
They do a COD type of transaction ...the shipping company collects the payment and then gives you the camera.
Another option is they can ship the parts instead of receiving the camera --but again only to a Japan address .
I was told that they will call me back in few days and to let me know if they have the parts you are looking for ...so you might be in luck ..
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shiro_kuro
Charles Bowen
I just got the phone call .....They have the parts you need ...
Their only concern was making sure you get the exact parts ... It is understood it is the range finder that is broken ..they just worry about sending the wrong part based on a verbal description over the phone......
OPTIONS
1) Send the camera to Japan for repair.
2) Have them send the parts to you and have it repaired yourself.
Usually they will not ship outside of Japan -the repaired camera or the parts because they have no means of collecting payment ... This last phone call it seemed they might try and accommodate you by shipping the camera or parts to you.....
You have to weigh the cost of getting the parts sent to you and have your own guy fix the camera or send the camera get it fixed and have it sent back to you .
Let me know exactly the parts you need so I can get a price quote for the parts .
I told them it was "Range Finder Mechanism". But they wanted to be sure -- see if you can ask your repair guy .
To have a price quote on repairs by them you would actually have to send it to them for an evaluation --usually one week--
I do not know about wether Sony/KonicaMinolta in the U.S can get the parts from Japan ...I guess You might of tried already ---maybe if you let them know you located the parts they could get them for you ..
What is amazing about Japan is when you call a company like this they go out of their to help ...They guy I talked to probably went into the basement himself afterwork looking for old hexar parts lol...... any way hope this helps
Their only concern was making sure you get the exact parts ... It is understood it is the range finder that is broken ..they just worry about sending the wrong part based on a verbal description over the phone......
OPTIONS
1) Send the camera to Japan for repair.
2) Have them send the parts to you and have it repaired yourself.
Usually they will not ship outside of Japan -the repaired camera or the parts because they have no means of collecting payment ... This last phone call it seemed they might try and accommodate you by shipping the camera or parts to you.....
You have to weigh the cost of getting the parts sent to you and have your own guy fix the camera or send the camera get it fixed and have it sent back to you .
Let me know exactly the parts you need so I can get a price quote for the parts .
I told them it was "Range Finder Mechanism". But they wanted to be sure -- see if you can ask your repair guy .
To have a price quote on repairs by them you would actually have to send it to them for an evaluation --usually one week--
I do not know about wether Sony/KonicaMinolta in the U.S can get the parts from Japan ...I guess You might of tried already ---maybe if you let them know you located the parts they could get them for you ..
What is amazing about Japan is when you call a company like this they go out of their to help ...They guy I talked to probably went into the basement himself afterwork looking for old hexar parts lol...... any way hope this helps
Last edited:
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That does suck. I think the 25/4 sounds like the best choice. Did Ken try any solvents on the glue? Worst case it is not any more broken that it is today.
I have purchased several russian cameras that were "working fine" only to find otherwise, never again. I have a FED2 that is working fine and that will be my only camera from that part of the world.
For me, I would use it as a L and not sink any more money into her. It is a way cool L. Is a working HRF worth $700 USD to you?
I work in technology and have seen lots of projects where they start out spending $4M USD and end up skinking another $10M USD because no one wants to admint it was a bad decision and learn from it. Not sure if this is the case here, but how much would a good HRF be on ebay? Could this body be a great source of parts for you in 10 yrs?
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
I have purchased several russian cameras that were "working fine" only to find otherwise, never again. I have a FED2 that is working fine and that will be my only camera from that part of the world.
For me, I would use it as a L and not sink any more money into her. It is a way cool L. Is a working HRF worth $700 USD to you?
I work in technology and have seen lots of projects where they start out spending $4M USD and end up skinking another $10M USD because no one wants to admint it was a bad decision and learn from it. Not sure if this is the case here, but how much would a good HRF be on ebay? Could this body be a great source of parts for you in 10 yrs?
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
