Hexar RF or M7

[hlockwood]

Originally Posted by Fuchs

I'd go for a Leica M7 0.85 for shooting 35mm or 50mm lenses. Even the 0.72 VF has slightly more magnification than the Hexar's and this turns useful with fast lenses shot wide open.

I'm lucky to have both. I keep a 35mm Cron Asph on the Hex RF and a 50mm Elmar-M (latest version) on the 0.85 M7. Since I wear glasses, the 35mm doesn't work well on the M7.

Harry

[whitecat]

I would go for the Zeiss 35 because of the viewfinder.

[Moriturii]

"1 it still works at 1/60 & 1/125 without batteries which makes the m7 more reliable; 2 the m7 has a longer EBL for do using accuracy, especially useful in dIm light And when shooting faster glass."

I hear things like this, but people never compare their theory vs reality. Do you people live in the african jungle? Artic base? Or out on an oil platform and meet people once a year? If anything a Leica in my experience is less reliable, because the shutter never gives you any feedback. If it drags, bounces, overlaps, has hole in it etc you might shoot 5 rolls and when you develop you have 5 x 36 picture all of which are useless. With a metal bladed shutter when it goes it goes, maybe I am a wierdo but I prefer the latter option thanks.

And an M7 being more accurate then Hexar RF, again, GUESSING, just random speculation sitting on the sofa. I have gotten perfect focus with a 75mm summilux that I tried in a shop, wide open, close range, do people need better accuracy then that? And nothing can compare to the Hexar RF when it comes to bright viewfinder and vividness, that is a complete lie. Perphaps Zeiss Ikon, never tried one though. M7? In your dreams.

It's amazing what people will believe to justify a legend an idea of the past, kids running around on the streets of Paris with wine bottles in their arms.

I slap your OPINIONS away with FACTS.

Next!

[dogbunny]

Arguing that a camera is less reliable based on battery life is like arguing a car is less reliable because you forgot to put gas/petrol in it.

[Gary Briggs]

Hexar, can't imagine spending 5-6 times for the Leica.

[sepiareverb]

M7. Every time I read the word Hexar I get reflux- and it's been years since I got rid of the thing.

[kdemas]

LOL! You did have a nasty repair experience if memory serves me right. Mine has been solid, knock on wood.

Originally Posted by sepiareverb

M7. Every time I read the word Hexar I get reflux- and it's been years since I got rid of the thing.

[Dirk]

I had the Konica and couldn't warm up to it. May have been the .58 viewfinder and the overall feel of it. I actually prefer the Bessa R2M and the Leica M3. Never used the M7.

[StillKicking]

I voted Hexar.. I don't own either but to me the Hexar offer the best bang for the buck. I have owned a Bessa R2A and own a M2 and M3. I never got on with the R2A and so sold it. Since then I have been in the market for a M with build in meter.

M6 or M7 would be lovely but just too expensive so its the Hexar.

[thirtyfivefifty]

Between these two? The M7 without a doubt!

[Doug]

The repair issue is a biggie for me. Of my two Hexar RF bodies, one spent almost a year traveling back and forth for repeated repair attempts to the film transport and rangefinder. This sort of takes the confidence out of one... But otherwise I very much like using the camera.

[35mmdelux]

Originally Posted by elmer3.5

Hi folks,

Which one of these would you choose as your only rf.
Note that everlasting reliability/quality is not an issue to consider (at least in this poll)
Want to know your preference when the only issue is the best tool to get the job done

Thanks!

No question about it: M7.

Simplicity [M7} vs. auto everything [almost]. Simply no comparison.

[kanzlr]

I never owned an M7, just an M8 which is somewhat similar in ergonomics, and honestly, despite the slightly inferior rangefinder visibility on the Hexar, I prefer its ergonomics by a mile. Nice rubber, good grip due to the bumps, nice feeling regarding to switches, easy film handling, perfect focus with my Leica lenses...what more to wish for?

oh, and it was about 1/3 of a used M6

[Lou Iaquinto]

I've owned two Hexars for close to ten years. Recently sent one off to Dirk for a CLA. My son's girlfriend used it for her media studies for a few years. It had the crap beaten out of it but lived to tell the tale. Came back from Dirk like a new camera. No experience with the other model. I've thought about trading them in but they're part of the family now.

Lou

[amyukie]

I've owned M7 and I loved that camera. Go M7! The quietest camera ever...

[rommelgc]

i have the hexar rf ... which isn't really getting much shooting time. i've only handled the m7 at shows and shops. the hexar is a good change from manual everything to _almost_ auto everything ... free's up my mind when shooting as i don't have to constantly worry if my current settings is correct for a given scene. with the motor it is not as quiet as my m6 but i can live with that. if the rf has limited focusing accuracy ... i stop down a bit, and live with it.

when i do bring the hexar rf out, i have an extra battery with me, and bring along the m6 as the backup.

[kanzlr]

btw, a 1,25x magnifying eyepiece helps with the Hexar and long lenses (just as it does with an M).
ms-mag sells an adapter to use M magnifiers.

[thegf]

are these still desirable? i may be getting one as a trade for an X100, but may just turn around and sell it.

[dct]

Originally Posted by thegf

are these still desirable? i may be getting one as a trade for an X100, but may just turn around and sell it.

It depends on your mindset and shooting stile. I strongly like the fast shooting performance of my Hexar RF at events, using AE(L) and motor wind, concentrating only on framing and focussing.

[Dante_Stella]

Could you expand on this? The Hexar RF and the M7 have exactly the same exposure modes and the same number of major controls (shutter speed/exposure mode, ISO, exposure compensation).

The only differences are that it is actually simpler to load a Hexar RF and that you get auto-advance without bolting on a bulky and heavy motor drive. The auto-advance on the Hexar doesn't even add any more switches; both cameras use an on-off switch coaxial with the shutter release.

Were you thinking of the Hexar AF?

Dante

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

No question about it: M7.

Simplicity [M7} vs. auto everything [almost]. Simply no comparison.

[Alex Krasotkin]

I vote for M7. Always predicted and wonderful results from it. I use it with 50/1.4 and 35/1.4 summilux

[bobby_novatron]

They're both great cameras, IMHO. I've been fortunate to own both.

In the spring of 2012 I deliberately used my M7 a lot. I enjoyed using it. The tactile experience of the M7 is really great. I like how it feels in my hands. The viewfinder is also clear and bright. The biggest drawbacks to the M7 are that #1 it's more expensive than similar cameras, #2 it eats batteries quite quickly, and #3 the 1/1000 top shutter speed can be limiting.

This summer I shot almost exclusively with the Hexar RF. It was a concerted effort to compare the M7 to the Hexar. At first I didn't care for the .60x finder. But as time went by, I began to appreciate the design of the Hexar. Ultra-quick loading! 1/4000 top shutter speed. Ruggedly built. Self-timer. The Hexar boasts lots of utility over the M7 with all those "modern" features.

My biggest complaints about the Hexar? The AE-lock détente is too light. You can't discern how much pressure you need to apply to lock the AE on the shutter release button. And the finder (again, in my opinion) really is optimized for wide lenses. I felt very comfortable using it with a 35 or 28mm lens, but a 50mm felt odd to me. I can't imagine what it would be like shooting a 90 on it!

An aside: I have never had a "registration" issue with my Hexar, and goodness knows I've tried to elicit that so-called "problem". All my lenses seem to focus fine on the Hexar -- a bigger problem is probably my shoddy photography skills.

In summary, they're both great cameras. I think for a person who is on a limited budget, a Hexar (in good shape) can be an excellent choice. Heck, for the price of a Leica M7, you could get a Hexar RF -- and with the spare change get a Leica M3 if you want to have the Leica experience as well.

[kanzlr]

shooting a 90 works nicely on the Hexar RF.
MS-MAG sells an adapter ring to use Leica viewfinder loupes to aid even further. I used the 90 quite a lot.

[bobby_novatron]

Originally Posted by kanzlr

shooting a 90 works nicely on the Hexar RF.
MS-MAG sells an adapter ring to use Leica viewfinder loupes to aid even further. I used the 90 quite a lot.

Good information to know. Thanks for that.

[jmanivelle]

Hope to try a M7 someday. I hardly use my Hexar RF as I keep sending the camera for repair.
Once the RF gets aligned, it reverts to mis aligned even without using the camera.
OK, sounds like a common problem with that camera and I'd love to know who has the knowledge to fix the rangefinder for good and if possible at all? Any links appreciated.
Thanks, Jean-Marc.