New Hexar RF Owner - Initial Impressions

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kzphoto

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1 - The view finder is clear and crisp. When it's clean, it's really contrasty. When it's dirty, it flares a bit. I feel like the patch is more contrasty than my M7, but I could be wrong. Is the diopter strength in these cameras different by default? It feels easier on my eyes than the M7.
2 - The camera is HEAVY. It needs a bit more of a grip to be able to hold well.
3 - The viewfinder works well for a 24mm lens
4 - The exposure meter seems to agree with my incident light meter in most situations, so exposing film isn't a problem.
5 - Film loading is *so* easy. Makes shooting a snap
6- It's fairly quiet.

I'll post some photos after I get a chance to play with the camera some more.
 
Well, some of us have known for a long time how great Hexars are and have enjoyed them greatly. Hope you will enjoy yours as well! Welcome to Hexar RF club!
 
Welcome to tha Hexar RF club! The RF is a wonderful camera - but to improve handling, you should consider a half case. I use my Hexar with a Mr. Zhou half case. The case has a crescent-shaped bulge where the right-hand thumb usually touches the case, resulting in a much-improved camera grip.

BTW, the film autoloading mechanism is so precise that you can do a mid-roll change, and when you load the half-spent film back into the camera, you can restart at exactly the same counter number at which you previously stopped using that film!

Enjoy!
 
Arjay -- I have read that about the Hexar RF ( the film loading trick) I had no idea it actually worked! I'll have to try it out!
 
Probably the same as last time -- Sony bought Konica Minolta, so they have all the parts for these cameras. If it's something easy like an alignment, you might want to try it yourself.
 
Framelines are also more accurate than the M6 and similar, which squeeze them in a fair bit to accommodate 28mm in a 0.72 finder. Much closer to the M4. Which makes the whole 0.6 viewfinder a good substitute for a 24/25mm, much more accurate than a Leica 0.72.

As framelines are also more accurate than the Bessa R4a, I found it a better wideangle camera, oddly enough. - though for 21mm the Bessa wins.

The RF finder has more barrel distortion (than a 0.72, can't remember for the Leica 0.58), but this isn't a real-world problem.

I can't think of any real drawbacks - the most usable rangefinder for me, too.
 
It is a heavy camera, which is OK for me. I find it a very functional camera with its AE and solid built.
 
kzphoto said:
Probably the same as last time -- Sony bought Konica Minolta, so they have all the parts for these cameras. If it's something easy like an alignment, you might want to try it yourself.
Click to expand...

Good luck dealing with Sony USA should you need anything done to the camera. They are out of the business of Hexar. Every Hexar in the US must go to "Precision" and they have a less than stellar reputation for getting cameras back in working order. This thread gives several examples.

If I owned a Hexar I'd factor in airfare to Japan as part of any repair.
 
Kevin- Youre going to like the Hexar, I love mine for the 1/4000th shutter speed and that snappy loading. The viewfinder is nice, same company made it as the Contax G2 and T3.

One thing I don't love is the ever so slightly slower shutter response. You'll get used to it but it's there as compared to an M.
 
I like mine too! The shutter lag is ever so slight. Just barely perceptable. I can live with it because the rest of the camera is so good.
 
i love the hexar rf. i prefer it over the mp.

dirk at japan exposures will act as a go-between with sony japan if you need repairs.
 
kzphoto: Congrats on getting your Hexar!

Most all your initial observations are pretty much spot-on. I've had a pair of them as my main cameras for close to nine years, and love them as much now as I did when I first picked one up.

There is, in fact, the very slightest shutter-lag in relation to a mechanical Leica M. In the main, I haven't regarded this as a problem when photographing. It can be eliminated, however, by switching to Continuous drive mode, but you have to be quick off-the-button as well if you want to shoot just one frame at a time. (Continuous mode is somewhere between 2.5 and 3fps).

I've never felt the need for an ancillary grip for the Hex; the body's covering is quite grippy enough. But I do have a Leicagoodies SLING on one body, which makes holding the camera for long periods more manageable:

HRFSLING.jpg


As far as service for the camera is concerned, Precision got off to a rather bad start for a number of people here, but it appears that they've gotten the hang of the camera (I'd like a little confirmation on this). Of course, there's always Japan. Except for an issue with one camera body very early on, neither Hex has had a problem (and, if and when it does happen, it won't be the first time I've had to send a piece of equipment, photographic or otherwise, out of the country to get serviced).

Good luck with it. I think it'll grow on you even more than it has.


- Barrett
 
Loving my Hexar so much I'm considering picking up a few Konica lenses! I wish Konica had made a 24mm lens, it's become my lens of choice as of late. The finder on the Hexar is great in this regard, it's wide enough that I can use a 24mm lens without a finder. I use the 28mm frame line and estimate a bit on the left side.

Using the 24/2.8 with the hood blocks a large part of the finder though, I'd estimate 20-30%.

Here's a few grabs from the Hexar:

5014135598_ea9b388fcb.jpg

Hexar RF, Leica 24/2.8, Fuji 160S


Hexar RF, Leica 24/2.8, Fuji 160S

5014135414_d165d0dd89.jpg

Hexar RF, Leica 90/2 v3, Fuji 400H

5013529885_1e8c196c2b.jpg

Hexar RF, Leica 24/2.8, Fuji 400h

5014135598
 
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WHen I had a ZM 25/2.8 I used it ona Hexar w/o extra finder. I even often do it with a ZM/CV 21mm lenses. Glad to hear that you like yours!
 
Glad that one went to someone who's putting it to good use. Enjoy!
 
amateriat said:
There is, in fact, the very slightest shutter-lag in relation to a mechanical Leica M. In the main, I haven't regarded this as a problem when photographing. It can be eliminated, however, by switching to Continuous drive mode, but you have to be quick off-the-button as well if you want to shoot just one frame at a time. (Continuous mode is somewhere between 2.5 and 3fps).
Click to expand...

Am I the only one who has the impression that Continuous mode is less noisy then single-shot mode, provided indeed that you lift your finger in time when shooting just one frame ? The winder seems much less noisy then ..
Because of this, I keep it in Continuous mode all the time; in the worst of cases, I have two pictures of the same subject, and since I usually take more then one anyway ...

Stefan.
 
gliderbee said:
Am I the only one who has the impression that Continuous mode is less noisy then single-shot mode, provided indeed that you lift your finger in time when shooting just one frame ? The winder seems much less noisy then ..
Because of this, I keep it in Continuous mode all the time; in the worst of cases, I have two pictures of the same subject, and since I usually take more then one anyway ...

Stefan.
Click to expand...
In fact, it is more quiet, mostly on account of shorter duration of motorized racket. It's rather interesting, even though I shoot about 80% of the time in single-frame/shot mode, I do switch to Continous mode when I feel the need for utmost quiet. Quite handy, so long as you remember to have a quick finger.


- Barrett
 
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