Konica HEXAR RF 35mm rangefinder Leica M6 M-mount Ginza Camera shop service

Konica introduced the Hexar RF on October 13, 1999. The first substantially new M mount camera body since the M6 in 1984. October 2003: the HEXAR was discontinued. The legendary Konica HEXAR RF was the only other rangefinder camera that could be taken seriously in a world where Leica M's rule supreme. A true pleasure to use; intuitive design, solid build w/ Titanium top and bottom covers, AE exposure with AE lock, motorized film advance and rewind, a clear bright view finder w/ shutter speed display, and an electronic metal shutter with a wider shutter speed range. features that no Leica M had until the introduction of the Leica M7 in 2002. uses the SAME framelines combinations as Leica: 28+90, 50+75, 35+135 which are automatically selected when you mount the lens, and even uses the same type of frame preview lever in the same M location.
Unable to get this camera serviced in the U.S. I left it in the capable hands of the experts at Ginza Camera Shop in Tokyo, Japan, when I was there 6 months ago. It took 3 months and cost 30,000 Yen (approx. US$300) to have a blinking 11 error code fixed, and have the camera cleaned and serviced, and rangefinder adjusted. It's like new again. Ridiculously happy to have it back. Money well spent to have this camera performing like a new shooter again.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HEXAR
• RF
• Konica
• rangefinder
• Hexanon
• M-mount
• Leica
• M6
• Ginza
• Camera
• Shop

[7521chris]

What's with the gloves?

[cliklab]

@7521chris. I couldn't find an affordable hand model and I'm camera shy.

[sinoperture]

No need for UV filters any more.. film has been UV resistant for a long time already. Not worth it for all the added flare and loss of acuity.

[cliklab]

@sinoperture , I use Leica filters made for the Leica M system; parallel plane ground and precisely annealed, it is optically pure glass, thus the full performance of the Leica M lens is retained even with a filter attached. The range is purposely limited to the filters most commonly needed in photographic practice: The UVa filter serves to protect the front element of the lens, and can be left permanently attached. Do you shoot without protecting your glass?

[kameraguy]

Loved this camera. Too bad Konica is no more. They were one of the few camera MFGs who listened and gave photographers what they wanted imho.

[cliklab]

@kameraguy @kameraguy . Indeed. In 2003 Konica stopped production of the AF and RF Hexar and all M-Hexanon lenses shortly before they merged with Minolta, producers of a legendary RF with cult-like following, the Leica/Minolta Cle. Sony acquired all Konica/Minolta photographic assets in 2006. None of the involved companies has expressed any interest in renewed production of rangefinder cameras or lenses. How disappointing. Now Contax is out of the game. Canon is going to last man standing.

[helthuismartin]

Very nice looking camera ,looks even bedder than a Leica.

[111nuthead]

Very nice vid! Happy marriage to U !

[111nuthead]

@sinoperture From Ketchup...

[sinoperture]

@cliklab

I mean I used K2 and R25 and R72 but never clear as there is no point. Even coloured filters are not desirable but needed for the effects I like. A UV filter seems like using a condom with a hole in the end.... pointless....

[sinoperture]

@cliklab

Protect from what?