My dad worked for Konica for over 25 years and has a collection of cameras from over the years including this and another Hexar and an FT-1. All mint condition still in box with original flashes and accessories. Going to try a few out this weekend.

Great video as always! Just one thing 6:35 That's not a leaf shutter, it couldn't have have one if it takes m-mount lenses, just a good old focal plane shutter. Althought it's a vertical courtain, instead of the horizontal from the film Leicas.

The shutter/winding sound is so wonderful actually it's an advantage rather than a down side!

Another good metered alternative is the Minolta CLE. I recently picked one up and Ive been LOVING it. Its by far the most compact leica-m compatible rangefinder.

I would consider the Voigtländer (Cosina) Bessa R2/3/4 series as a serious M-mount (i.e. M6) alternative too ✌️

The photos are seriously stunniiiinggg.

Around 2007, I wanted this camera but ended up going with the Bessa R3A. It was way quieter and had a 1:1 OVF. It paired perfectly with the VC 40mm 1.4 SC. They’re both great cameras. The Hexar AF was another tempting camera that really appealed to me.

i know the dude at 1:57, really cool guy. Another great vid, makes me want to sell my hexar AF and give the RF a try.

1/4000 i s generally super cool and fast for rangefinders flash sync 1/125 is awesome too, usually rangefinders has like 1/60 sync speed, and according to what I see on hotshoe, it should be possible to use it with almost any modern flash in manual mode

For 2 years i really dig this Konica Hexar RF. Indeed a great camera. Subscribed!

I loved the Hexar RF while I had it! Stupidly sold it when I got worried about the end of factory repair services and switched to the MP, and I’ve regretted it ever since. The 0.6 viewfinder is the best for 28/35, and the build quality and industrial design are impressive. It’s the Contax 645 of rangefinders, except it’s a relative bargain because toxic Leicaphiles hated on it since it came out. With any luck, I’ll buy another one. 😁

I thoroughly love Konica, I just repaired an older rangefinder from them an Auto S which predates the RF by decades. I am preparing to jump from my screw mount system cameras to an M mount and now I'm stuck between which one, I am seriously considering the RF but I am always a bit apprehensive about full electronical bodies (had several bad experiences of electronic failure) but there are now a handful of new repair shops that are willing to repair the electronical components of these types of cameras so the RF could be the choice I make now.

I was the owner of one of these for a few minutes last year. Amazing camera and the finder is probably one of the best I've seen in an M-mount body (together with the Ikon ZM). I haven't felt the need to go hunting for one again as I just don't like the automatic film advance for some reason. I think I subconsciously connect an M-mount body to everything manual and prefer it that way. The Minolta CLE is also a great option. That is probably my favorite M-mount camera out of them all. I recently got in an M7 as well so might change my mind soon. Already shot more rolls through the M7 in the few weeks of owning it than I did through my M6 after one year of owning it. Definitely worth trying out the CLE though!

Another cool video. One small detail - this camera has focal-plane shutter not leaf shutter.

Hey Shane, Leica has mounted an Iso memory wheel on the back of the M2. There are 3 images representing different ISO and white balance settings. Sun, evening hour and tungsten bulb. So if you have loaded e.g. Cinestill 800 just take the bulb and set it to 800. easy peasy lemon squeezy It's a focal plane shutter, not a leaf shutter. Nice video and nice that you showed us the camera.👍

Love my Konica RF! It has the Leica m system but all automatic except the focusing. It made me more focus on framing and could shoot faster. Konica RF and Leica M is not comparable.

I love this camera. I actually bought yours Shane last year when you were selling it but ended up selling it myself because I found i didn't use it enough because I was always worried about it breaking. Do really miss it now though haha

Just picked up a Hexar RF body in Tokyo for about $700 US. They are usually much more, especially if they come with the original box (as Japanese are apt to keep). Great feel and sense of quality when handling. I'm thinking of picking up one of the Hexanon M lenses to pair with it.

loved this straightforward overview of the camera

I have one of these! I luckily found one that was never used. in the original box and still had the tag inside the body. Then found a old new stock 35mm f2 Hexanon.

there reselling on eBay for 1 - 3 grand so 550 pounds that's a steal

The feeling of this camera is amazing, it feels like a premium tool. I had mine for one day and the film advance mechanism stopped working. I’m now rocking a Voigtlander r3a 😌

The Hexar RF is probably the best M body for shooting 28mm due to its low viewfinder magnification. This is especially true if you wear glasses.

Hey Shane, got a choice for a Hexar RF and a Minolta CLE (same price with lenses) - have you had any experience with the latter and do you have an opinion on this choice? Love the smaller form factor of the CLE but on paper the RF is the more advanced camera. I shoot street photography

Titanium top? sounds cool. I thought it was plastic all the time and decided not to purchase it. Now I'm changing my mind.

Do they force this music on you guys?

My choice of a budget Leica is either a Canon P or the Canon 7 rangefinder cameras. They don't take newer M-mount lenses but it does use old Leica Screw Mount lenses which are plentiful and inexpensive.

Never knew I wanted one until now. Great vid!

2:38 is an incredible shot

Great video and cool camera!

CR2 batteries are often in supermarkets

That first photo is 🙏

The M5 is also a great option. It’s got an even better finder than the M2 and is right there with the M3 as far as design and build quality goes. It’s bigger ‘cause it’s got a very accurate spot meter and it looks unapologetically German 70s industrial design. Which is why it gets so much hate from the fan boys, who think the way the camera looks is the most important thing about it. But it was designed to be an evolution on the M3 which is why it’s such a hidden gem. Also these old M cameras are all designed to be super simple to use. The rangefinder can be intimidating of course, but apart from that nobody should be scarred of using one.

Please do a video on the Yashica Electro 35 GSN... not enough video on a great lowkey camera

Great Video Shane

Interesting review, but one suggestion; you need to learn exposure. Instead of buying a semi-automatic camera, your money would’ve been better spent picking up a light meter then teaching yourself how to use it. Once you master how to measure light, whether reflected or incident, your workflow and exposure in the fast paced environment of street photography will be more consistent. Masters of the past knew Tri-X would give them latitude even when exposure was off a stop or two- color film would not.

I wish you'd mentioned what film you used, scanner, etc.. Thanks.

Hey man, great video! I bought one with a couple of Konica lenses a few months ago. I found the rangefinder to be a bit off which got me worried about not being able to get it serviced anywhere. Turned out there are two places in the Netherlands that still service them. I brought mine to Amsterdam camera repair. They are calibrating the rangefinder as we speak and will include a full check up on the meter, shutter and exposure system to ensure everything is running as it should... for only 55€!! The only downside to the camera for me is the placement of the strap lugs that make the camera hang pointing up a bit. Don’t you have that?

The Minolta CLE is a great option too

The Contax G2 had a looooot of common faults so be careful, and although the M6 does have auto exposure at least the meter only runs the meter and the rest of the camera is fully mechanical? and the Hexar RF was only released in 1999 so although slightly older than the M7 or Zeiss ZM it's still waaaay young in terms of film cameras, and its not a leaf shutter, a leaf shutter is built into the lens which would have made the Leica lenses waaaay more expensive than they already are , its a focal plane shutter which is how the camera can get up to 1/4000th of a second where most leaf shutters only go up to like 1/500th at the most. sorry this sounds a bit ranty its really not meant too

Love the channel 👍🏻📷

Beautiful photos, what filM are you using ? First photos They are beautiful

The Hexar was released prior to the M7, I have have owned both since they became available and the Hexar is a great professional tool.

How many rolls will a full battery last you in your experience

The price on Ebay is somewhat around €2500 with lens.

Been saving to buy one of this, real worried this video will add a few more months of saving if the price bumps

Motor wind sound seems like my Contax G2. What film did you use for the shots that you showed? Personally I thought the leggy broad in what looked like a short skirt on that train/subway or whatever, was quite nice, I suppose it would be kind of urban wildlife in its natural habitat, the female exhibiting display and plumage to the male creatures. I think it it worked. She has the knack that one. Also I think you misspoke it does not use a leaf shutter, those are found in the lens not the body, in my understanding. Best wishes!

interesting but i have now fujifilm x pro3...

Hi.. How about vs Contax G1 with planar lens?

I read somewhere online that this camera needs to be calibrated to properly focus with leica m lenses and after that the konica lenses wont quite focus right. Have you had any issues getting the focus on point with a non konica lens?

The prices on these went nuts ! They use to be bought in by dealers for £150 for the body not long ago !

Hi, is this lens Nokton classic 35mm F1.4 II you are using the one they still sell ?

what about Minolta CLE?

This really is a terrific camera. It's less costly than a Leica, but hardly inexpensive. It has a wealth of feature you'll never git on a Leica. It's only downside is its relatively heavy dependence on electronics, which may a failure issue in the future. Not sure where he decided that it shares parts with the Contax G2. Their manufacturers never had anything in common. Shortly after its introduction, it was alleged that its use of the Leica M-mount was defective and therefore it didn't focus properly. Over time, that was proven to be totally bogus as being based on a failure of the originators to understand the technical difference in how Leica and Konica differently defined there specifications. Konica also produced a group of cutting edge lenses for the camera which are a great alternatives to the M-mount Leica lenses for about half the Leica prices. To get a good selection of bodies and find some of the more uncommon lenses, you have to shop in the Japanese market, where the camera was very popular.

Man this “budget” camera is ways to overprice for me :)))

Nice video guys

What lenses were used to take those pictures?

No m5?

Not sure if I have missed it but what film was that?

Just a shame that these are near enough £1000 now :(

Thanks for this video. Interesting to find on Ebay how the price of Hexar RF has gotten so high now, even surpassing the price of some of the Leica Ms.

this is basically halfway between a G2 and a m7, but not as well made as either

Why not the Leica M5?

I was supposing the Leica q was enough for you?

Thank you for your thoughts on the Hexar RF. Love the music starting at 1:55 over your lovely images. Stereo headphones made it like a massage for my ears :-) BTW, a "leaf shutter" is built into a lens, next to the aperture diaphragm (like a Zeiss/Hasselblad lens), unlike the Hexar RF's metal focal-plane shutter.

Is there anybody who rapair Konica today?

That's a focal plane shutter

The Konica does NOT have a leaf shutter, it has a focal plane shutter. Basic correct facts would help.

Mine is silent..

Hey just bought one but do you know if when you leave the camera on it'll disable itself (or at least the lcd)? like the hexar AF's (2 hour interval)? or whats the battery usage of letting it on for IDK a day or something (accidentally)

Titanium would make it nice and light, no? Not add to the heft...

Leica m5.

Leica M7 is cheaper now then this konica wtf!!!

‘Budget’ does not mean cheap.