Konica Hexar RF

Konica Hexar RF

The Konica Hexar RF represents a massive leap forward in rangefinder technology. Released in 1999, it was essentially the camera that many photographers wished Leica would build. While it utilizes a traditional optical rangefinder for focusing, almost every other aspect of the camera is automated and electronically controlled, functioning much like a high-end 1990s SLR squeezed into a classic rangefinder body.

The Hexar RF's defining feature is its motorized film transport. Unlike traditional Leicas that require a manual thumb lever, the Hexar RF automatically advances the film after every shot, capable of shooting continuously at 2.5 frames per second. It also features automatic film loading and motorized rewinding, eliminating the tedious manual tasks of film management.

Internally, the camera boasts a vertical-travel electronic metal focal-plane shutter. This allows for an incredibly fast top shutter speed of 1/4000s—two full stops faster than standard Leica M cameras (which max out at 1/1000s). This is a massive advantage for photographers wanting to shoot fast lenses (like f/1.4 or f/2) wide open in bright daylight without using Neutral Density (ND) filters. It also features Aperture Priority (AE) mode alongside full manual control, complete with an AE-Lock function.

The viewfinder features a 0.60x magnification, which is lower than the standard 0.72x found on most Leicas. This makes it incredibly easy to see the 28mm framelines, even for photographers who wear glasses. The camera body itself is built like a tank, featuring a cast-aluminum chassis with premium titanium top and bottom plates, finished in a durable flat black with a rubberized grip.

History

The Hexar RF was Konica's ambitious entry into the premium interchangeable-lens rangefinder market, following the massive success of their fixed-lens autofocus Konica Hexar.

The "Leica M7" Before the M7 (1999) When the Hexar RF launched in 1999, Leica was still only selling the fully mechanical M6. The Hexar RF shocked the market by offering Aperture Priority and electronic shutter controls three years before Leica finally introduced the M7 in 2002. Konica released the camera alongside a spectacular lineup of proprietary M-Hexanon lenses (including a 50mm f/1.2 and a 28mm f/2.8), which are widely considered to be optically equal to their Leica equivalents [1].

The Flange Distance Controversy For years, a persistent internet rumor claimed that Konica's "KM-mount" had a slightly different film-to-flange distance than the standard Leica M-mount, supposedly causing back-focusing issues with Leica lenses shot wide open. Extensive testing by technicians over the years has largely debunked this as an internet myth, attributing any focusing errors to standard manufacturing tolerances or rangefinder miscalibration rather than a deliberate design difference [2].

Legacy Konica merged with Minolta in 2003, and shortly after, they exited the camera business entirely. Because of this, the Hexar RF had a relatively short production run. Today, it is highly sought after as a faster, cheaper, and more automated alternative to the Leica M7, though its reliance on complex 1990s electronics makes it harder to repair if the main circuit board fails [3].

Sources

• [1] Dante Stella. Konica Hexar RF: The Final Frontier?. https://www.dantestella.com
• [2] Japan Camera Hunter. Camera Geekery: Konica Hexar RF Review. https://www.japancamerahunter.com
• [3] Macfilos. Modern features: Konica Hexar RF. https://www.macfilos.com
• [4] Casual Photophile. Reviewing My Time with the Konica Hexar RF. https://casualphotophile.com
• [5] 35mmc. Konica Hexar RF Review. https://www.35mmc.com