Hexar RF Camera Review | Mastin Labs

[@steveborghardt]

Last week I took this out along with my Mamiya 645 and once I developed the negatives I was completely blown away with the quality images this camera produced with the Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 classic. It almost made me want to sell my Mamiya 645. Anyways, this is now my favorite film camera next to my Contax G1. The Hexar RF is soo easy to use and the Hexanon lenses are great lenses as well. I stumbled upon this camera while looking for an appropriate M mount alternative to Leica and I'm so glad that I did. The Konica Hexar RF is a keeper for sure. Thanks again for a great video.

[@Tenskwatawa4U]

There was a time, not so long ago, when I could have squeezed and scrimped and bought one of these used. But back then I hadn't committed to going back to film. I bought a Canon A-1 to get back in. And I love it, but now... I've become aware of this camera and I'm dying for one! Alas, I've watched online prices for the RF skyrocket before my eyes. I guess this is a hole in my life I'll never be able to fill. All I can do is watch videos of it. So sad!

[@steveember8972]

Thanks, Kirk, for this thorough, reasoned, and hype-free review. Your Hexar appears to be in lovely condition. The thing I most liked about the review was that it was done quite recently, which gives me confidence in the ongoing reliability of the Hexar RF. It certainly is an elegantly designed camera with apparently fine ergonomics. Just subscribed to your channel. BTW, for what it may be worth I do also own a Contax G2 and have never found any focusing issues, either with the Planar 45 or the Biogon 28 Zeiss lenses.

[@bobbleczar]

I'm curious if there is any worry about electronics failing in these cameras? I know they were released in 1999 so they are fairly modern (no electrolytic capacitors), but im still concerned.

[@steveborghardt]

Every electronic camera has the capacity to fail at some point. I went for it with this camera along with the Contax G1. So far both have over delivered on my expectations. I'm happy I went for it. Do your own risk/reward and decide.

[@jsshayes1]

Another good point is you dont have to worry about curtain burn (I think). I love my Leica M2 but that is something I always worry about.

[@mastinlabs]

True! Burning a hole through a cloth curtain is game over for a Leica.

[@dulghensphotography]

Amazing little camera, I'll get one. Great presentation. Love it!

[@lovercontax4979]

the hood on the lens is awesome, where did u get it from?

[@JGuevara]

Peter Cheung I believe it is a 3d printed hood on shapeways. www.shapeways.com/product/5JFNN2DZC/wide-universal-hood?optionId=6639762

[@MichaelStaMaria-qp5ig]

Really good and thorough review. Thank You for this. Which hood is that on your voigtlander?

[@garethnvgbe]

THE HOOD, MASTIN! WE NEED TO KNOW!!

[@mikestratton78]

@@garethnvgbe I see he answered the question above. :D

[@spanishjohn420]

Wheres that lens hood from?

[@dexterpick]

Hi, was good review. I'd like buying also that, and.. can you tell me how can I buy the strap in online?

[@michaelkeenan5876]

Nice review! I have a Voigtlander Bessa R3A with a 35mm lens (I know its a 40mm viewfinder but I don't really mind or care..) But I was wondering about where did you get that lens hood?

[@TGCid01]

I was wondering, with that 35mm equipped, does the camera still adjust for parallax as you focus, being that it doesn't have 40mm frame lines?

[@vernonsza]

Kirk, great video. I've been using your Portra presets with my X100S for a while now and have really been considering the Hexar RF. However, I really would like a 50mm+28mm combo and was wondering what good and affordable M mount lenses you'd recommend.

[@steveborghardt]

The Voightlander 28mm f2.8 is a great choice that I use almost every outing - The Konica Hexanon 50mm f2 is another great lens that you cant go wrong with.

[@allovrtheplace7]

I know it has been some time since this video but, what lens hood is that on your voigtlander lens?

[@mastinlabs]

It was 3D printed for me!

[@Chloede_]

I’ve had my Konica for a few years now, and on some rolls (mainly colour) they end up with blue lines all across the frames. I’m not sure why that is, if it’s scratches or not but it’s really annoying. When I get the negatives back I’ll have to see if anything shows in them. Just wondered if anyone has had the same thing happen to them?

[@mastinlabs]

I think there may be a either a shutter issue (one of the shutter blades is bent or creased) or if you are home scanning, you have a burned out sensor on your scanner.

[@erikleypoldt8275]

Cant find this lens? Is it the Nokton? Please post a link. Thanks. Looks like a good rangefinder

[@mastinlabs]

It's actually made by Minolta! But it is nearly identical to a similar Leica lens.

[@filmerdennis]

All this and you didn't fire the shutter :( great review though. would of loved to hear your thoughts on the noise of the auto advance

[@mastinlabs]

It's a pretty quiet shutter. Not as loud as a Nikon F100, but not as quiet as a Leica M6.

[@Max-xv9pp]

Thanks for this awesome review!

[@photobobo]

I disagree that the Contax G1/2 has a terrible auto focus system, you just need to learn how to use it properly. It can also be set manually to zone focus like the Hexar. I have both cameras and like both of them for their own individual characteristics.

[@mastinlabs]

I'm sure I could get more used to it, I just didn't find it easy to use.

[@steveborghardt]

I agree 100% - folks need to understand that the G1 auto focus is from the 1990's and adjust your expectations accordingly - if you're patient you will nail focus every time. I have no issue with focusing the G1 and it's one of my favorite cameras - you just need to have an understanding of the camera and how it works. I could not be happier with it.

[@cupppacoffee3366]

hey, do you have a ink of where to buy the lens ? Thanks!

[@mastinlabs]

I got this one on ebay

[@vangstr]

I would prefer this camera over the Contax T2.

[@mastinlabs]

Me too

[@moot6794]

Any flash recommendations?

[@mastinlabs]

Not particularly. Use whatever flash you feel comfortable with!

[@Luvie_boi]

Do you have links for camera strap?

[@mastinlabs]

I don't sorry!

[@dennislam8102]

nice shirt!

[@HoLeeChit11]

I love listening to a gear head. These have tripled in price now, three years on. Why would anyone pay that kind of price for a film camera? I’ve shot film for over 35 years, so I’m not new to film or a film hater. £1500 for this camera with a lens, no thanks. Film is sh*t compared to today’s digital technology, but also is damn expensive to buy, damn expensive to develop, takes a long damn time and effort to develop, takes a long damn time to scan on your computer before you can even start to correct everything in PP. If you really want so shoot film and you want that retro look, buy something like a Nikon FM2, or Olympus OM1, or Pentax MX. They will cost a fraction of the price, they are the same size, shoot excellent quality photos (for a film camera), and are repairable if they stop working, which can’t be said for these fancy, rare rangefinders. Once they break, they are just a very expensive mantle piece.

[@mastinlabs]

Film is a labor of love. If you know, you know. It can't be explained rationally in comparison to digital cameras.

[@gaarakabuto1]

500$ huh....how time changes.

[@mastinlabs]

Yup! Hahah

[@sl11tenderhand]

The focus on the G2 is anything but unreliable

[@danshapiro2715]

yeah I've shot about 10 rolls on my new G2 and I can say that the autofocus is pretty fantastic. It's misleading to say it's unreliable (maybe the G1 is, but definitely not the G2)

[@GaIvatr0n]

@@danshapiro2715 I used a G1 and it was iffy, my G2 also has had no issues so far, you just need to be conscious of the reading on the distance scale. If it makes sense click, if not.. recompose. Glad you guys are in the same boat.

[@NCSTalkid]

Boll

[@nickfanzo]

Shhhh don’t tell people these are good.

[@mastinlabs]

Mums the word 🤫 😉

[@Kevon420]

This camera is no longer cheap.

[@nickfanzo]

dtr fuck

It did come up in price, but so did everything else.

[@nickfanzo]

Damn hipsters driving up prices on obsolete machines!

[@mastinlabs]

True (unfortunately)