Hexar RF as companion to M9?

[*j-w-m*]

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I have the opportunity to buy a Hexar RF and am thinking of this as an inexpensive way to have a film option with my Leica lenses and a backup to my M9. If I end up actually using the Hexar much, then I'd consider an M7 or MP later. Sort of a proof of concept before shelling out more $. would be interested in opinions, warnings or links that would help me make the decision. I have read some about the different FTF distance in the Hexar, but opinions vary about whether this makes a difference except with extreme wide lenses.

 

Thanks for any thoughts. And mods feel free to move this to the film section, I felt it was a crossover question for people who use primarily the M9, hence I posted in that forum.

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[vladik]

jwm, my film backup to M9 is Zeiss Ikon. It has superior viewfinder to M9 and is a latter model to Hexar. It has been very reliable and light weight for travel. I am using it for b&w only now. Worth considering.

[*j-w-m*]

The Hexar I've found is $400 or less (that's the starting price, have not negotiated yet). So I appreciate the suggestion but the Zeiss is 4X the cost of the Hexar. I'm not looking for a long term relationship with this camera, I'd just like to know if there are any reasons why it would be a bad idea or would not work well with my lenses.

[vladik]

$ 400 as a starting price looks very good. When I was looking at one the price was about $ 800 plus ('as new' the seller was reporting). You can always sell it again with little or no financial loss. Good luck.

[viramati]

I have the hexar RF as my film back up and it is a fantastic camera for it's price.

What I like about it

1. 1/4000 sec top shutter speed

2. fast film loading

3. Motor drive that is in fact pretty quiet and actually makes little more noise than the M9 winding on the shutter

4. aperture priority with AE lock

5. fantastically cheap for what you get (does everything the M7 does and more)

6. nice built in grip makes it easy to hold

7. DX iso recognition

 

 

Some people say that they have problems focussing because the focus patch seems to move as you move your eye around the viewfinder. Personally I have no problem. There was also some discussion that the mount is slightly different to the leica M mount changing the distance of the the lens to the film plane. Once again I have never found any problem this. Last of all is that if the electronics go you probably won't be able to get it repaired as parts aren't available but then again for a purchase price of $400 you can just get a new one.

Personally I would buy it and for the amount I use it, which is not often, I wouldn't consider even buying an M7 or MP

[giordano]

About mount compatibility: Dante Stella

[*j-w-m*]

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Thanks for the detailed replies. Seems like a pretty low risk way to put my M lenses in front of some film and see if I have the patience to deal with that workflow. If I move forward I'll post back with some pics.

[a.noctilux]

Since my M8 days (more tha 3 years with M8), I had film M along and when I swap in same photo session M8/M6, I forgot to wind the film with M6 and then I found Hexar RF.

 

As companion of M8/M9, there is no M as close in use as Hexar RF.

 

As minus point, I travel a lot riding motorcycle, and the rangefinder of Hexar RF is more prone to be "unaligned by flat-twin-vibration" than Leica M.

 

Now along with my M9, I prefer a Leica III:) with it's own Summicron, Summar or Summarit.

 

Arnaud

[*j-w-m*]

Interesting point that the motor drive on the Hexar would make it "feel" a little more like an M9 while shooting. thanks for that.

[enboe]

Consider me a bit traditional, but I think I would look for a well-functioning M2 for ~$600. The Cosina-built cameras are wonderful values, but have a different shooting feeling than an M. Body shape, finder, shutter sound, film loading, all are different.

 

I have owned both the Hexar RF and Epson RD-1, and the focus on my two examples both developed some vertical displacement. This can be corrected by a private repair shop like Steve's Camera Service Center in Culver City, CA, but that will set you back ~$200.00. The quote I received from Epson was $600.00. Keep in mind, the cameras were never dropped or jarred.

 

Have fun.

[*j-w-m*]

Thanks for the information. When you reference vertical displacement in focus, are you referring to displacement in the rangefinder mechanism? Or in the resulting photograph?

[village idiot!]

$400!

 

If you decide not to get it let me know and I'll buy it!

[Archiver]

That's actually not a bad idea at all. I have given a bit of thought to the Hexar RF myself, especially now that I've got a lot more M-mount lenses. I can't think of anything that would be of hindrance from the Hexar, apart from it being discontinued and thus harder to repair. And the motor drive would certainly make it feel a bit more like a M9 in operation.

[jaques]

for 400 dollars- and assuming the camera works fine- you would be a mug not to grab that Hexar as soon as you can... if you change your mind later you could sell it for a profit easily- so trying it will cost less than nothing.

 

I owned one for several years: it was a wonderful camera. Never had a single issue with it: just flawless service. The viewfinder is beautiful and bright (shutter speeds are displayed nicely via LED), it is quiet, and it is built very well. I also read a while back that Konica/Minolta still service the camera and carry parts but I am not sure how accurate that is.

 

I imagine the metering on the Hexar is quite similar to the M9- and the comment about the differing form factor is over-blown in my opinion. The two camera aould complement each other very well.

 

I only sold my Hexar to fund my m9.

 

Oh, and all that stuff about the differences between the hexar mount and Leica M was totally overblown in my experience - I never had a focus problem- and no of others who also had perfect cameras... If there really was a problem it only seems to have affected the first cameras produced. The vast majority showed no issues.

[Anasebi]

Would make a very nice profit on ebay; where buyers are foaming at the mouth for anything rangefinder related with 'konica' on it. Their great cameras either way.

[viramati]

metering is similar to the M9 but not quite so centre weighted

[voe]

I have the Hexar RF and it's really a great camera. Another feature that no Leica has is that you can swap films before they are completely exposed as the camera has detector where the last exposure was taken.

It's like having interchangeable backs for a 35mm film camera.

[*j-w-m*]

OK, now I have the full story and the reason why it's priced so low. What I didn't understand until today is that the owner replaced the factory viewfinder lens with one he bought and modified to convert it from a +2 diopter back to 0 diopter. This cost a lot less for the conversion back to 0, but I think decreases the value to the point where I don't think it's a sure thing to get my money back out of it if I decided to sell later. If any of you are interested I'll be glad to put you in touch with the seller.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M