Prepare me for my new Konica Hexar RF!

[DrTebi]

Hello,

I am coming on board with all the Konica Hexar RF users. Just yesterday I pulled the trigger, the package should be here next week.

GAS was probably the main reason... but then again it went kind of like this:

I really like my Hasselblad Xpan (first version). For me it's a lot about the usability of a camera, and I felt like I really "clicked" with the Xpan.
But there were a few things that bothered me--the most obvious is the limited amount of lenses available, and nothing faster than f/4.0. I do understand it has something to do with the xpan format, however, I used the Xpan a lot for normal photography as well, and f/4.0 is just very slow.

Another thing was the lack of any shutter speed information in the viewfinder. I usually shoot in AEL mode, and really want to know what shutter speed the camera selected while looking through the finder...

So eventually I discovered the Konica Hexar, which seems to have everything that I like about the Hasselblad plus a great range lens availability (got it with the Hexanon 50mm f/2). I also like the 1/4000s shutter speed, an almost centered tripod mount, and the easier to adjust exposure compensation dial.

Will I sell the Xpan? I think so... unless the Hexar does completely disappoint me, which I doubt. I was never too crazy about the panorama option, mostly due to the fact that they neither look good on screen (unless you have a panorama screen?), nor are they easily projected. It will hurt to see the Xpan go... but I will have to compensate a bit financially.

Well, so finally one question that I have: I read that one Hexar user lost his eye-cup, and recommended (to people still having the eye-cup) to put a tab of glue on it to ensure it doesn't fall of. Has anyone else experienced this?

And other than that... I would love to hear your experiences with the Konica Hexar RF, good or bad, maybe in comparison to the Hasselblad XPan. I just need some camera-soul-food while I am waiting for the package 🙂

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Nice camera, built like an M7 however not comparable in use: I could hardly see the lightmeter diodes in daylight and therefore found it a bit hard to use the camera in manual mode, the mode I preferred.. actually that was the only reason I turned back to M7 and M6TTL

 

[big macker]

stepping into the world of m lenses is certainly a bad news for your wallet.

other than that, the hexar is a great camera, a miracle i would even call, for its actual price. i use it with a nokton 40mm, which should be considered as another miracle given its price, speed, size and performance. i use the 50mm framelines for close up shots and 35mm ones for distant shots, by manually switching the lever, and it works fine. i take it out mostly at night since my m2 doesn't have a meter nor a hotshoe.

i haven't experienced any problem with the eye-cup. my camera came with an ever ready case which i use. but thanks for the warning.

however the camera is not perfect (but then, what is?):

-shutter lag : yes it's definitely perceivable, but not to the point that would make me stop using it.
-no ttl flash : a pity for my use
-viewfinder magnification : not a big deal but i would prefer a 0.72x one as i use mostly 50mm and am used to classic leica m's)

i wouldn't compare it to the m7 whose price is, saying, 3 times higher?

it wouldn't be comfortable for me to use either hexar or m7 in manual: the shutter dial of the m7 turns in the wrong way (for leica m2/3/4 snobs only) and that of the hexar, although turns in the right way, is awkwardly positioned. but again, don't try to insult konica, the camera does well in auto, together with its motor, you have a big point and shot, well almost..

if i were you, i would consider selling the xpan, picking up a cheap russian horizon 202 (manual only) and moving on.

enjoy your camera

 

[L Collins]

Nice camera. The rangefinder can be prone to go out of adjustment easily, and there have been some issues with back focus on non hexar lenses.

 

[FrankHarries]

This camera is great, so are the Hexanon lenses! No Problem with the eye- cup so far! It's my most used 35mm film camera, my Leica M6 is serving as a back-up, and that means something! For me it's great as a street-shooter because of the good Automatic mode when needed and the automatic film-transportation. I got the great 50/2 and 28/2,8 Hexanons with it - no complaints at all so far ( well: only that the path of the rangefinder ist out of alignment a little bit, but doesn' t bother me so much. Because of that I got it for a bargain (unused when I got it) - so: you will have lots of fun, enjoy!- Frank

 

[dct]

The Hexar RF is my main film RF camera, equipped with with Voigtländer and Leitz lenses from 15mm to 90mm. Never had serious mechanical or electronic issues, but if the day will come there is a lot of help in this forum and repair is still possible too. Or I will buy a new old one.

 

[FrankS]

This is my favourite electronic RF camera. Very nice to use.

 

[DrTebi]

Thank you for the welcoming responses!

I was mostly looking to shoot the 50mm lens only, as I noticed during my shoot-outs that often lens-changing was more of an obstacle to me than an advantage. I guess I am kind of a "one camera one lens" kind of guy. But I am sure eventually I will want at least a wide angle; 'heard great things about the 35mm hexanon, although quite expensive.

I am a bit concerned about the 0.6 magnification as well, but given that the Hasselblad has a 0.45 magnification, I think I will be rather happy.

I was also considering the Zeiss Ikon ZM. But a couple of things made it loose points in my view:
- About twice the price with a good lens.
- Tripod mount off-center, and according to some hard to fixate. This is something that really puzzles me--just like the Hasselblad. Sure, I could get a plate that will solve this problem, but that would again be more baggage... why can't tripod mounts just be centered or in line with the lens?
- No self-timer. Something I definitely would miss at times. And it's also very convenient for tripod shots, a cable release is again just more baggage (or something forgotten at home).
- No exposure lock through the shutter button. The Ikon has a separate button for it, so it's well possible, but I am very used to using the shutter button for this, and wouldn't have like the Ikon way.

But even if something should go wrong with the Hexar, I think I still made a good choice, because in the worst case I will at least end up with a very nice lens that fits on any M-Mount camera, including a digital one if I should want that.

 

[maitani]

I don t understand why some people dont like this camera, before I had one, I also thought the finder would be a downer, but it s extremely crisp and beautiful, with very good patch contrast.

don t forget the leica guys pay extra for a 0.58 finder ;-) I think the hexar finder is perfect for 28 to 50, just perfect.

In so many ways it s the best M-mount camera ever made, it has some minor downside, like stlightly louder shutter, a minor shutter lag, but nothing of them is deal breaker.
I changed to the M7, but more for gas reasons, If I d start from scratch I d probably buy a Konica instead. feels like an analogue M9.

 

[sepiareverb]

Should you need service on it I would avoid sending it to the authorized US service center at ALL costs. This thread (among others) details the nightmares some of us have had with the Hexar RF. When working tho, they are really nice.

Bellamy Hunt at Japan Camera Hunter may be able to deal with servicing this camera in Japan. I have a friend at Sony US with two family members pretty high up in the company- they (sony) wouldn't help me at all when my Hexar went down the tubes via Precision. This was before I had any knowledge of Bellamy and his services.