I'm so happy that you've decided to make videos again. These are easily my favorite camera videos. Its great listening to someone who just clearly absolutely loves everything about cameras.

*prices are creeping up* That should literally just be the motto of film photography.

Seeing this, I have to realize, that as a wheelchair user I have a massive advantage over ordinary people: When I'm out out for a photo shooting trip, I can bring many cameras with me without any problem: Bag 1 on the left armrest: 2 modified Kodak 3-A Special (those with the coupled rangefinder and Tessar lens) for 6x14cm panoramas, one with b&w film and the other with color film Bag 2 on the right armrest: 2 Pentacon Six bodies, one with the 50mm Flektogon and b&w film, the other with the 120mm Biometar and color film (sometimes switching the lenses) Bag 3 on the back: My 5x7" camera with lens (usually a 240mm Sironar), tripod, and 10 double holders loaded with photographic paper for reverse paper positives (almost exclusively for street portraits), plus a Moskva 5 with b&w film, and a Fuji GS645 Pro with color film. In my lap: one of my TLRs, at present mostly the Koniflex when I'm out for color pics, or the Voigtländer Brillant S with the Heliar lens when I'm out for b&w pics (sometimes switching the place with one of the Pentacons) In my trouser's pocket: a digital Olympus Tough TG-6 (which is the least used camera of them all). As you see, a lot of film formats, but no 35mm camera ...

Voigtlander Bessa R’s also have AE lock. It’s just a button on the back of the camera.

4:18 - Despite its a medium format rangefinder, Mamiya 6 & Mamiya 7 also have AEL mode.

Konica made some fantastic lenses over the years, and it's a real shame they are gone. Not a lot of reviews on the Konica M lenses to be found. Thank you for the great video (s).📷

I recently got into your videos since I’m getting back into film, I love the sense of humour in these videos and the knowledge you provide on these old cameras is truly invaluable.

My main 35mm camera. I love it so much.

I usually shot on my m6, but last week I played with Hexar rf in a store, I pretty sure I want this sophisticated machine.

The Konica RF, minus possibly the noisy auto-advance feature, is the camera that Leica should have made instead of the (fairly primitive) M6. Easy loading, accurate and simple autoexposure, A modern camera at the time, which the M6 wasn't.

I got my own hexar rf which is almost mint condition. And I love everything about it. It’s a beautiful camera and yes the vf is gorgeous.

Hi Jeremy thanks for the video. I wrote to you sometime back when my Konica Hexar RF died suddenly with a flashing error code 10 on the top LCD. Camera was bascially dead and would not do anything i.e. load, rewind film or take pictures. You kindly replied that you are no longer able to help me get the camera repaired or looked at so I was basically left with an expensive paper weight on my desk. Recently met up with a professional photographer and he took me to this mall in JKT where they buy, sell and repairs old film cameras. I left my Konica RF there without any real hope it could be revived but after 3 weeks they gave me a call and said my camera is working again. They said they changed a camera sensor and some other small parts and I received a phone video of my friend testing and shooting the camera in the shop. So let me know if you need this contact in case any more Konica RFs require component level fixing. Thanks.

Just got my Hexar RF in the mail a couple days ago! I’m so excited to get a lens and start my rangefinder journey

Such a beautiful piece of tech. The design and overall colours. Really really wish to get one but hearing the easy to fail mechanisms I think I would rather get a M3

my baby 😍 the camera obviously

I really gotta get me one of these, perfect companion to my R-D1

A wonderful video featuring a true classic. Thanks !

I wonder how these will hold up over time, being fully electro. But those Konica lenses might go nicely on my olive Bessa R2. Thanks for the info!

Nice video. I have the limited Champaign titan, unfortunately I had to sell the Hexanon 50 f1,2 when I needed to pay a tax dept but that is ok , I will never get rid of Hexar Rf I love it! It is an equal partner to my M6.

The Hexar RF has a tiny electronic switch that detects if the door is closed. When it fails, the camera is bricked. I sold mine 10 years ago with all 4 lenses. I don't think I'd risk getting one now with an extra 10 years of wear on that switch.

that pepsi gmt is sooooo beautiful

Beautiful video again, thanks Bellamy. One tiny thing - "new" mamiya 6 and 7s have AEL exposure so it's not the only rangefinder to feature that. 🙂

i got one early this year in perfect condition. great little tool! the 1/4000s is absolute gold. i had one issue though: with a 28mm summaron the focus knob cannot go past the frame line lever. not a biggy in most situations though. i just don‘t like the electronic sound of the shutter…

Damn you, I wanted one, now the price is going to sky rocket :( :(. Good video as always!!!! More Konica and Minolta stuff!

“… it has this fantastic swing door” Very amusing 😏

I just come here for the Elton John lyrics/memes, "like a camera in the wind"...:)

Recently Ricoh announced that they gonna make new analog cameras under the Pentax name. I hope they success and one day release a new M Mount rangefinder. I have a Fujifilm X-Pro3 and to be honest for me that camera feels like the real successor of the Hexar in the digital world but I wish more companies make digital rangefinders.

The xpan too has AEL

I find the light meter difficult. You have to constantly question the measured times because the measurement can be tricked very quickly by bright areas. Sometimes it only takes a small reflection in the paint, or a bright house wall in the background. It took me quite a while to find a feeling for the measuring range. A proper multi-field or spot metering would be much more helpful.

the viewfinder's magnification IS important, as this determines if the lens's field of view is fully shown in the rangefinder window, Leica has three of these, 0.62, 0.72 & 0.85x . For example, the 0.85 is good for telephoto lenses (50/60/75/90/105/135) , but falls short of wide lens coverage, the 0.72 on the other hand can go from 28/35 mm all the way to 135mm as the view is not as magnified, the 0.62 can do even more wide, but not as much tele lenses. this is the compromise you have to make! this is set dependent on which Leica model you order, esp the digital series, as some are ONLY one magnification.

I have one and it's a great camera. Though one issue I've experienced and have seen others online also, is the rangefinder calibration. Theres a great chance it will come in the mail already out of calibration. This might be due to the fact that konica tried to distance itself from the term "m-mount" and market it as something proprietary. There might be differences in the focus cam on the konica lenses over leica ones. This is just a hunch and I hear some experience no such thing. Calibration is easy but it will mark of your body's finish and make you peel back the leatherette to access screws which will weaken the adhesive and is a bummer. Other than that great camera.

I have one of these 50mm lenses. It’s a very nice Lens!

Bro you raised the price up on these overnight pls stop

great video. would love to hear you about the Leica R8

Please do a Voigtlander Bessa lineup! 😀😀

Bessa bodies have AE hold buttons on the rear.

My zeiss ikon zm has AE lock, but in an awkward position

Lovely video! I always like this camera but ended up buying a G2 instead, and eventually sold it some years ago because I was afraid it was going to become a nice paperweight. Off topic: I worked in the eyewear industry for some years and can't help myself noticing you are wearing some "asian fit" glasses. Those are made with much bigger nose supports, and they sit a lot higher on your nose then they should. :)

Honest question - for the same price point, this or the Minolta CLE? I am torn!!

Fun fact: *there’s a half frame version*

Get a decent lav mic already! The exterior audio is always a disaster. Great videos otherwise! Cheers

Minolta CLE review next?

Ahh Hexar RF, too bad we won't see a modern digital version of this or an updated R-D1. Wake up Cosina!

4:28 Not true. The Contax G1 and G2 have that AEL too. It's even located and designed the same way on the body. And yes, the G1 and G2 are proper range finder cameras - albeit fully automatic range finders.

Would you say in 2023 if it’s worth getting this camera or is the failure rate just too high now?

what would be a good price for a body at the moment? 1.3K?

here before the leica fans /s

Bessa r3m and contax g2 also have AEL

I regret selling mine everyday

Not sure why you said no other range finder cam has exposure lock. My Mamiya 7 has AEL. Or did you mean 35mm range finders only?

Down side to this camera is the 1/250 of sec..

Where did you get those Santa glasses? 😎👍

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)

AEL Lock is a feature of the Contax G2, a true rangefinder 😐😃

Can this work with sth like Leica 135mm f2.8?

Love the review AND the music, but it's too loud, making it distracting. Uh-uh!

Bellamy - you forgot - the Contax G1 from 1994 had AEL!

would be nice with a 1:1 viewfinder

No no! I was about to buy one of these! Take this down! Lol. The price is gonna suddenly go up by $200 🤪

the worst thing about the konica m-mount lenses are that their flange focal distance is not the same as other m-mount lenses... doesnt work well on bessa / lecia bodies

all that was missing around your neck was a Fuji GX680 :3

i prefer the cle. it's between the hexar and m6

So would this camera be fully compatible with Leica M lenses?

Sweeet.

the R8 looks so sexy

snarky comment sorry: My mamiya 7ii has AEL as well ;-)

Better than Leica , more practical, lighter , better shutter speed , faster load and unload , quieter shutter …. I owned many Leica but if I’m shooting wedding then this camera handout beat Leica in every way .

Holding that chord for the entire length of the soundtrack was… well it was so obnoxious that I couldn’t watch all the way to the end of the video. And I used to own the Konica RF.

The background music renders this video unwatchable