did anyone have any problems with their hexar rf, besides the known problem of rangefinder misalignment? i thought of buying one used and would know of quirks to look out for.

is it normal, that there is a delay between half-pressing the shutter and the viewfinder display going on, as i experienced with one camera i held recently?

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), January 12, 2002

Answers

Hello Stefan,

The only time my rangefinder has been out of alignment was after I accidently banged the camera. Konica NJ fixed it in less than ten days total time including shipping time. It has been fine since. (For eight months now.)

I do not, nor ever, notice a delay with the viewfinder display going on. The shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder comes on in perhaps 1/8second or less upon turning on the camera. Afterwards, the light meter readings and translated shutter speed indications are almost immediate.

Using AEL, or auto exposure lock, requires a partial shutter depression to lock the shutter speed at your desired speed after taking a reading. My camera instantly locks the shutter speed with partial shutter depression. (It does this at all shutter speeds from 4-2000s) I have Konica SLR's that have AEL and they perform same as the Hexar RF.

In response to: "is it normal, that there is a delay between half- pressing the shutter and the viewfinder display going" I'd say no, that doesn't seem normal. Perhaps I'm not understanding the function you are perfoming with the camera. If you are in the USA you might call Konica Service at 1-800-422-1788 and describe what you are experiencing. They are very helpful, and the call is free. What you describe doesn't sound correct.

I really like the camera and have no problems with it. I took two rolls of shots at the office Christmas party. Standard deal, dark banquet hall, dance floor, bar, everybody dressed up, wives all looked pretty. Of 72 exposures, 65 came out perfectly. Focusing in low light on moving targets with a puny flash is some what of a chore. There were times I was wishing for the slighter brighter viewfinder of the M6. Yet my people snatched up the pictures like christmas candy. A few are making enlargements. I used the 35mm and 90mm leica lenses for all the shots.

A couple employees had point and shoot's. All their pic's were fuzzier than mine. P&S's with autofocus have a harder time in low light and moving targets.

Hope this helps.

-- David Smith (dssmith3@rmci.net), January 12, 2002.

I sometimes find that the display does not come at all. The problem is with me being too gentle with my half-press. I think the problem is that the tactility (if there is such a word) of the release button is a bit different from other cameras. Quite annoying though.

-- sait (akkirman@clear.net), January 13, 2002.

I got one of the first Konica RF's so some of this might not be relevant now, but here are a few problems I've had:

1. The hotshoe top plate fell out. I glued it back in with really strong bond and no problems since.

2. The frame preview level fell off. I have it but lost the screw. I'll have it fixed some time or other.

3. The paint scratches and gets worn easily.

4. There IS a slight delay in firing after you press the shutter button, as you say, Stefan. If you are used to Leica / CLE / CL shutter buttons, this is very annoying. The small good thing is that this slight delay forces you to anticipate and think about your subject--imagine it 1/8 sec after you shoot. Just imagine Brassai anticipating his Paris street shots and you'll feel better about this shutter delay. (I walked around Paris with a cable release and shooting at waist level. No delay there--and what FUN!)

5. The frame window is darkish. Focusing anything over 50mm is a bit tricky. (Not a problem with the M-6 0.58.)

6. There is no manual rewind option. The auto-rewind is not objectionably loud but not as quiet as a Leica.

7. According to Erwin Putts there is a slight (microscopic) difference between Leica and Konica M mounts. He wrote there is some image deterioration if you use a Konica lens on your Leica. (This was in a review of the Konica 35/2 lens.) I've cheerfully used nothing but Leica lens with my Konica with no significant problems.

Once you know the limits of your Konica RF you'll enjoy its pluses. For me a major plus is that it takes my old 35/1.4 Summilux, which the CLE and Bessa T do not.

A major plus is that it light. The same weight as an M-6 without motor or Rapidwinder.

Another thing. Konica's M lens are very good. The 28/2.8 is said to be outstanding. The 35/2 is only topped but the new Leica 35mm's.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), January 14, 2002.