[Leica] Re: Konica Hexar RF - initial impressions

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

Hi friends,

I had the opportunity to handle a demo camera at one of the dealers in
town. These are my initial impressions:

1. Features. It certainly has a lot of bells and whistles which M owners
have been waiting for (and even secretly lusting for). I got the impression
that the top plate is a wee bit cluttered but then you have shutter speed
and exposure compensation dials to reckon with. I wonder why Konica could
not merge them together like way the Contax G is doing.

2. Handling. The camera felt solid and had good weight like my M6. However,
the Hexar is squarish whereas the M6 is rounded. It took me a while to get
used to and like the roundness of the M6 body and sine then have never
looked back. My hands were not quite ready to grapple with the extra edges
of the hexar. It was just not that aesthetically satisfying to hold.

3. Shutter. The hexar has a faster top shutter speed. I often use my M6
with 400 films and open up my lens to f1.4-2. In certain lighting
conditions, 1/1000 sec was just not fast enough. The hexar has certainly
much to offer in this aspect.  
Tripping the shutter gave out a rather distinct metallic squeaky sound, and
this is followed by the winder sound. Having been used to the whisper quiet
shutter of my M6, I am particularly annoyed by this. Again, having made
hexars which were whisper quiet in the silent mode, I am surprised that
Konica has allowed this to happen.

4. Viewfinder. Bright and clear enough. RF focussing was easily achieved. I
think the frame lines could be a bit brighter. The 28mm frame lines were
particularly dimmish. At AE mode, I had to make the conscious effort to
look for the shutter speed readouts which were illuminated by LEDs. That
means that I tend to lose my concentration on my subject. In addition,
having been spoilt by the much easier to read LCD displays, LEDs seem like
neon lights illuminating in a seedy district.

I did not get the chance to load and shoot, mount my M-lens on it and check
out the rest of the many features. 

Now the $64,000 question....

Will it replace my M6?  Nope. While this new kid in the block may steal
some limelight, it is just not like using an M6. There is an inherent
satisfaction and pleasure in handling an M6 inspite of its simplicity. Yes,
that very simplicity may be the reason why the M6 is so endearing. I would
expect many who have never owned a leica to buy a Hexar and use leica
lenses on it. After all, a new hexar body is retailing for US$1110 with
orders expected to arrive in March 2000 in Singapore. $1110 is a very
decent price to pay for a body with so many bells and whistles.

However, I see the hexar highly desirable as a second body. With its ease
of use and additonal functions, I would carry it to fulfill those occasions
when a TTL flash is required, when a motor drive and fast speeds are a must
in action and sports, and quick film changes make every second counts.
Loading an M6 is still a relatively fiddly affair for many of us diehard
leica enthusiasts.

There seem to be an initial strong interest in the hexar RF with many
orders being made. I would personally wait for any teething problems to be
ironed out and the price to drop after the initial interest dies down.

Dan K.