mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
In a fit of (in?)sanity, which was completely unplanned, I find myself the somewhat bemused owner of a Konica Hexar RF camera (original boxed set: camera; Hexanon 50/2 and 18W flash, with manual).
On-and-off I've done a lot of photography over the years: MF SLRs (I have a much-loved, but these days little-used OM-4T), AF film P&S, P&S digital and, now, dSLRs (which really re-kindled my photography obsession). But I've never used a rangefinder. Despite a lot of thought, recently, on the topic of RF cameras (a long back-story I won't bore you with right now), I'd pretty much decided not to buy one - on the basis that those I could afford didn't really appeal, while those that appealed I couldn't afford (or, at least, justify to myself).
But then I wandered into my favourite camera shop (Foto Riesel, in Kent St. Sydney, for the record) today and saw a used Hexar RF. That was one of the cameras on my list of "appealing". Then I made the big mistake of asking to handle it (which was accepted with aclarity). When they gave me a price that I thought was within the "reasonable" category (ie. on the outer edge of justifiable), well, I went off to have a couple of stiff drinks.
I'm not sure whether I was trying to talk myself into or out of it, but the upshot was that I bought the camera. I ran a roll of Ilford Delta 400 through it (that's now off for processing). I like the look and feel of the camera, and I hope I was able to put the background reading I've done on how to use RF cameras to some kind of good use (only the photos will tell: though even if they're NBG that's more likely to be me than anything else).
All of which is a long-winded way of introducing myself, in preparation for asking those assembled here (a forum I've been browsing, but only just joined) if anyone has any advice along the lines of "traps for young players" that you all know of, and that I might avoid if well advised. Whether about rangefinder cameras in general, or about the Hexar RF (or Hexanon 50/2) in particular.
My intended use for the camera is along the lines of "street photography" (or at least my interpretation of the bits of that I enjoy), of the sort you might find at http://mfunnell.deviantart.com/gallery, if you step carefully around my wildlife photos. I've found a number of, um, infelicities in the use of a dSLR for that purpose and, for other reasons, haven't much liked my dusted-off OM-4 for the purpose either.
So far, after two rolls of film, the Hexar RF seems like it might do what I'm after (hard to tell without photos to look at, though). But I'd very much appreciate any tips, hints, advice, admonitions - anything - that any of you may have to offer.
...Mike
On-and-off I've done a lot of photography over the years: MF SLRs (I have a much-loved, but these days little-used OM-4T), AF film P&S, P&S digital and, now, dSLRs (which really re-kindled my photography obsession). But I've never used a rangefinder. Despite a lot of thought, recently, on the topic of RF cameras (a long back-story I won't bore you with right now), I'd pretty much decided not to buy one - on the basis that those I could afford didn't really appeal, while those that appealed I couldn't afford (or, at least, justify to myself).
But then I wandered into my favourite camera shop (Foto Riesel, in Kent St. Sydney, for the record) today and saw a used Hexar RF. That was one of the cameras on my list of "appealing". Then I made the big mistake of asking to handle it (which was accepted with aclarity). When they gave me a price that I thought was within the "reasonable" category (ie. on the outer edge of justifiable), well, I went off to have a couple of stiff drinks.
I'm not sure whether I was trying to talk myself into or out of it, but the upshot was that I bought the camera. I ran a roll of Ilford Delta 400 through it (that's now off for processing). I like the look and feel of the camera, and I hope I was able to put the background reading I've done on how to use RF cameras to some kind of good use (only the photos will tell: though even if they're NBG that's more likely to be me than anything else).
All of which is a long-winded way of introducing myself, in preparation for asking those assembled here (a forum I've been browsing, but only just joined) if anyone has any advice along the lines of "traps for young players" that you all know of, and that I might avoid if well advised. Whether about rangefinder cameras in general, or about the Hexar RF (or Hexanon 50/2) in particular.
My intended use for the camera is along the lines of "street photography" (or at least my interpretation of the bits of that I enjoy), of the sort you might find at http://mfunnell.deviantart.com/gallery, if you step carefully around my wildlife photos. I've found a number of, um, infelicities in the use of a dSLR for that purpose and, for other reasons, haven't much liked my dusted-off OM-4 for the purpose either.
So far, after two rolls of film, the Hexar RF seems like it might do what I'm after (hard to tell without photos to look at, though). But I'd very much appreciate any tips, hints, advice, admonitions - anything - that any of you may have to offer.
...Mike
