i use the hexar rf as a backup to my nikon d1. i use it exclusively with a leica summilux lens. previously, i had the summilux mounted on a non-ttl m6. to me, the hexar rf is the perfect street photography camera. it is quiet, extremely fast to focus, focuses accurately, has the high shutter speeds my m6 lacks to allow me to shoot just about everything at f8 w/ my favorite t400cn film, and most importantly sets exposure automatically. with street shots, you usually have a choice (if you're lucky) between setting exposure or focus. with the hexar rf (and careful use of the autocomp dial) i am assured of good exposures and can concentrate on framing and focus. by the way, for those who mostly trap focus, i strongly recommend the new voigtlander bright line focus device (i use the 50/75 model). it iis MUCH brighter than any rangefinder focus window, and has a high magnification (sorry spectacle wearers) that makes framing easy. the motor drive and easy loading of the hexar are just gravy. i also appreciate the tradtional cable release hook-up.

the quality of the camera is very high, and it seems to have good sealing against moisture and dust. i do think, however, that the shutter speed and autocomp dials feel flimsy and should be beefed up. are they even metal? i also think that the omission of a sync outlet is absurd (although you obviously cann attach an aftermarket shoe that has an outlet). i also would like a stealth mode.

the (nearly) perfect street photography camera. a great tool for the pro; the same PLUS an object of desire for the well-heeled amateur.

Customer Service

they fedexed me a battery cover in bonn -- great job.

Similar Products Used:

m6, iiig, g2, contax iiia

The Hexar RF has all the quality of the Leica M6 but without some of the drawbacks such as the fussy film loading. It is also substantially cheaper. The Konica optics ARE good and equal to that of the Lecia and the body has the additional advantage of being able to take the range of Leica M lens without an adapter.

No TTL and the viewfinder is not as clear as that on the Leica M6.

I'm very pleased with the Hexar RF

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6

The best frame of reference from which to examine the Hexar RF is the Leica M6. Like the M6, the RF is hand-built and all-metal. Unlike the blackened zinc finish of the M6, the Hexar has a titanium and alloy body with a very, very tough epoxy finish (which has actually scratched some of my lenses). And it's warm to the touch. The Hexar blows the M6 out of the water in metering convenience, having a compensation dial, loading from the back (easily), synching at high speed, exposing at high speed, and motor-driving. It is a touch louder and the VF magnification is lower, but this is a must with glasses and wide-angle lenses. Besides, it's hard to imagine why you wouldn't go to an SLR for lenses longer than 85 or 90. The rangefinder is accurate, and I have had excellent results with lenses as fast as a 50/1.2 Canon and an 85/2 Sonnar. The exposure meter is extremely accurate as well.

The Hexar RF is much more useful to me than a Contax G2. Not only is its finder easier on the eyes, the RF can manually focus accurately, use high-speed lenses, and use older optics known for their "look," like the 50/2 Summar (uncoated), the 50/1.5 Sonnars and 85/2 Sonnars. It can also use razor-sharp Leica M lenses. I like the backwards-compatibility with Leica and Leica thread lenses; you are not locked into a small and limited line (although Contax lenses are superb, if I want ultra-MTF, I go with Leitz or Nikon). You can choose anything you want, whether German, Japanese, Russian or whatever.

Relatively pricey, but I guess that is relative. A G2 is about the same price; and an M6 is 50% more, similarly-equipped. Lack of TTL flash might turn some off, but Leica went about 70 years with no TTL. These aren't cameras you would use with flash anyway.

The Hexar RF is in most functional ways superior to an M6, and is more versatile than a G2.

Customer Service

Replacement parts are affordable. Basic service, from what I understand, is expensive, typical of mechanical rangefinders.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6 non-TTL; Leica IIIf; Canon 7s/P; Contax G1, G2.

none

everything

All the inconvenience of a leica with none of the plusses of a contax G2. This is something that falls (fails) in between the two. Terrible optics. Poor magnification makes poor focussing. Expensive.

go for one or the other, but not this.

Similar Products Used:

Leica m6, Contax g2, Nikon FM2, Canon EOS.

Great design
Solid body
Great viewfinder
Low profile
Wonderful lenses
Great fit and finish

Bit noisey on advance

I love rangefinders so this is not the most objective review. I love their quirks and eccentricities. I have two Leica M6's which I adore but I have to be careful where I take them in L.A. At the Getty, no problem, but in the street I don't want a camera that says steal me. The Hexar is great that way. The design is retro rangefinder 70's. No one cares about it when they see it. The build and feel is wonderful and the matt black finish wonderful. In use the camera is easy and quick and focusing is every bit as good as with the Leica. The viewfinder is bright enough (no, not as bright as M6) and because the magnification is smaller, even a 28mm lens is easy to use. The lenses are all sharp as a tack. I only intended on having to buy one but I loved the 50mm so much I bought the others as well. Images almost as sharp as Summicron but I'll tell you this - the build is better. The aperture ring detents on Leica's are very squirrely but on the Konica., very smooth and solid, a pleasure. Yes it is noisier than a Leica but then again a breeze is noisier than a Leica. If you want a fine mechanical camera that will be a joy to own, buy an M6 but if you want to get into the street and not worry about getting nicks, dings or hassles - the Konica Hexar is a brilliant find. Might wait till the price comes down a tad. In another six months when the fad has died down, these will be bargains.

Customer Service

None needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6
Contax G1
Hasselblad Xpan

exposure, flash

loss of PC socket, little rangefinder base for tele lenses (but it's a choise, due to 28mm. frame in the viewfinder), lack of spot and/or semi-spot exposure metering, cannot intentionally stop the frame selection lever (if you are using a different mount lens by use of ring(s))

M4 -and other Leica rangefinders- need 2 settings to shot (diaphragm or shutter speed, and distance), while Hexar only distance: that's the difference between shot or not to shot a photo. Contax G1 and G2 seem to be better for totally automated exposure/focussing. But it's not real at all: if you use a wide angle lens and you don't look through the viewfinder you risk to focus out of your "target". And such cameras are particularly useful with wide angle lenses! Onthe other hand, 90 mm. work is OK with autofocus. G1 and G2 are not too different from reflex system cameras. They lack of direct manual focussing.

Similar Products Used:

M4, G2

Features. Lots more than the M6.

Slightly noisier than the M6. Viewfinder slightly darker/smaller than M6

Great camera. Lens (50 Hexanon M) excellent. Love the features such as autoload/rewind. Recognizes film speed. Fast shutter speed. 2.5fps. I love the M6 but find myself using this body more often.

Customer Service

Excellent. Viewfinder needed adjustment. Timely and excellent work

Similar Products Used:

M6

Reasonable price and give most of useful functions like AEL and aperature priority. Very solid body and good surface finishing, give me a very high quality feeling.

If possible, the manufacturer can provide optional hand grip coz it is not too comfortable to hold the body for a long time.

I suggest people who love Lecia lens, but with limited budget to buy this camera. Some people said this camera has focus problem and many other errors. However, I never come across those problem (I use M24mm and 50mm). By the way, the widest finder range of RF body is officically 28mm, but I use it with M24mm and observe the whole finder flame, actually, very similar with real image size. Thus, I don't need to use additional 24mm finder.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2

Viewfinder - Eye relief!
Shutter Release
Film check Window
Compatible with Leica lenses.
A really affordable Konica 28 mm lens.
Texture and finish of the camera is excellent.
Film advance is four times as fast as Leica M's , making the decisive moment somewhat easier to capture. Hey, we can't all be Cartier Bressons.

Purely visual, but the Compensation and Shutter Speed dials as well as the Hot Shoe should be made of Titanium, same as body.

Gossip chain claims that Leica turned their noses up at what Konica alledgedly produced for them. Forgive them for they know not what they do. Did somebody say M7?????
Konica did leave some room for improvements so, let's hope Leica will be up for the challenge but, if not I have no doubt that Konica will make these refinements.
Excellent 35mm Rangefinder Camera.

Customer Service

Have not used

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6, M4
Konica Hexar
Fuji 6 X 7 Rangefinder
Pentax 6 X 7
Nikon F3, FM2

Everything Good about a rangefinder.
Modern Autoexposure.
Built like a Lexus, great Quality.
Great exposure Compensation dial.
Fast autoloading and rewind.

Only that Leica nuts won't give this camera it's due as the best rangefinder you can currently buy.

If someone is looking to buy a rangefinder camera to use to take great pictures,this is it. If anyone has anything negative to say about this camera it is because they have not used it is situations which requires them taking a picture that they are getting paid for. This is just a great camera and the lens are great also. You will never miss not having a Leica, but you will miss the thousands of dollars you will throw away buying Leica bodies and lens.

Customer Service

Have no needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 7II
Voightlander
Leica M