Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Just bought an Hexar -won't get into the reasons why and start a new war- to use with some of my Leica glass. Before ordering the camera, I went to my prefered repair shop in Paris, to find out if both were compatible. The tech said "yes". I bought the camera yesterday and did some testing : I used a 35 mm Summilux, a 50 mm Summilux and the 90 mm AA. The focus is off (the rangefinder focuses nearer than the real plane of focus) by about 5%, meaning that if one focuses on some object 2 meters away, the Leica lens on the Hexar will focus 10 cm shorter than when it should. Working outside with Tri-X, summiluxes wide open at 4-5 metres range made the photos look sharp. Focusing the 90 mm AA at 2 meters range did not. My aim is to use the Hexar RF with my wide angle lenses (15/24/35) on hyperfocal for quick-and-dirty shooting so it should not matter too much. Testing the focus between an M6 TTL, an M3, and the hexar (cameras on the same tripod -quick release- and same lenses), I was able to calcute the necessary focus differential on the RF patch : I need to turn the lens a tad more to infinity (actually a tenth of the RF width). Does not look like a problem for my everyday work. More on the Hexar : I can use my 135 mm f:2.8 with eyes on it : it brings up the 90 mm frame, focus is also possible (within the limits stated above), only a small - -bottom- part of the VFis obscured. In use, the camera is VERY quiet : I took a series of shots of loners drinking in a bar, no-one noticed anything. The advantage over the M is that you don't have to check exposure : bringing the camera to your eye, fiddling with the speed knob has always brought some dirty looks before, or try some unconspicuous move to re-arm the camera after the shot. With the Hexar yesterday I pre-focused, chose the widest aperture plus some exposure compensation, and let the camera do the job for me. The negs look OK under a 10x loupe. BTW this my last invitation to my exhibit that starts in Paris on Friday 10th, on show at: L¹Atelier des Mélanges Usine Spring Court 5, passage Piver 75011 Paris from Nov. 10 to Dec.12, 2000 open mon.-fri., 9.00 - 16.00 Recent black and white silver prints of Paris, humanist photography. Those unable to attend can always check my work at the URL below. Patrick Smith http://perso.wanadoo.fr/patricksmith.photosite