{"id":76579,"date":"2026-01-21T08:53:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T07:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=76579"},"modified":"2026-03-23T12:24:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T11:24:50","slug":"analogue-adventures-part-48-hexar-rf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/analogue-adventures-part-48-hexar-rf\/","title":{"rendered":"Analogue Adventures \u2013 Part 48: Hexar RF"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hexar RF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Released in 1999, the Konica Hexar RF is the most advanced analogue M-mount rangefinder camera ever made, far surpassing the Minolta CLE<\/a> and all of Leica’s analogue cameras that came after. Let’s have a closer look!<\/p>\n

\"wolfen
Hexar RF | Wolfen 500 NC | MS-Optics 50mm 1.0 ISM | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 24mm 2.0 | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Handling<\/h2>\n

Of all the analogue M-mount cameras the Hexar RF is probably the easiest one to use as it features aperture priority mode as well as automatic film transport. <\/p>\n

\"\"
Top<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking at the shutter speed dial you may notice something else: a minimum shutter speed of 1\/4000s which is another stand out feature among the analogue M-mount cameras (Leica M: 1\/1000s, Minolta CLE: 1\/1000s, Zeiss Ikon ZM: 1\/2000s).<\/p>\n

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Front<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the front you have the frameline preview lever as well as the lens release button. With the lens release button you have to be careful though: it is not recessed as on e.g. the Leica M6, meaning it is more likely you accidentally press it. <\/p>\n

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Back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The back is extremely minimalistic with no controls at all. There is a small window telling you which film you loaded. Talking about film loading: it is also very simple here, way easier than on the Leica M cameras.<\/p>\n

The rangefinder features the same frameline pairings (28\/90, 35\/135 and 50\/75) as Leica’s recent M cameras.<\/p>\n

Impressions<\/h2>\n

Some of you may remember: I already considered getting a Hexar RF before, but I didn’t get one, as it was said they are pretty much unrepairable. A reader of mine found someone in China<\/a> who does seem to be able to repair these and decided to take the risk.<\/p>\n

I am well aware the limitations of Leica’s M-mount cameras and that them being mostly mechanical is part of the fun for many owners, but I still think there would also be place for a technologically advanced alternative like this. I am pretty sure one day a Chinese company will step in, until then this Hexar RF will remain the most advanced analogue M-mount camera and it sure is a lot of fun to use.<\/p>\n

buy a Hexar RF from ebay.com<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links) starting at $1100<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Sample pictures<\/h2>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 35mm 1.4 | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 24mm 2.0 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"kodak
Hexar RF | Kodak Royal Supra 400 | MS-Optics 24mm 2.0 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"agfa
Hexar RF | Agfa XRS 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"agfa
Hexar RF | Agfa XRS 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"agfa
Hexar RF | Agfa XRS 400 | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 35mm 1.2 III | f\/2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Further Reading<\/h2>\n