kevin m. Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 The camera bodies are pretty darned good, and the lenses are better than that. The three Hexanon RF lenses I've owned all had fit and finish better than any of my modern Leica lenses. Plus the Hexanon 50 doesn't flare like a Summicron, and their 35 is really useable at f2.0. I was hoping they'd come out with some f1.4 glass, but that's not likely now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 Kevin, Konica did better than 1.4 glass, they made a 60, 1.2, although in limited numbers. The 50 IS better made than ANY of my Leica glass. Stainless steel mounts instead of chrome over brass, among other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 It is indeed a pity the Konica Rf is dead, but to be honest who did not see it coming? Leica, despite all the moaning here, have both the market already and the reputation which basically is well-deserved. The RF was a fine camera with fine lenses, but still expensive and therefore not such a no-brainer deal compared to a Leica. This is at least where the VC Bessas score. The M7 also essentially delivered the coup de grace. In short Konica tried to take on Leica directly and lost. Unfortunately in this sense its trajectory followed precisely the pattern many in the market for a Leica-like r/f assumed it would which is probably why they did not buy it in the first place. Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_phillips1 Posted October 20, 2003 Author Share Posted October 20, 2003 Just got an email from a friend (ex Nat'l Geo. shooter) who wants to have his Hexar modified for Leica glass (why, I don't know, he only uses Leica glass from 21 to 135 and I've seen the trans. under a 15X loupe and they are razor sharp). He talked to Minolta/Konica today and they stated that they are "out of Hexars and have been for six months"! So I guess the die is cast. Pehaps as someone mentioned, Stephen or Rich can import these directly, along with the lenses (more 35's??). We'll see what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_lee2 Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2959194382&category=15234" >Here's</a> a kit with a 50/1.2 in M, er, <i>K</i>-mount...have at it kids. <p> Steve, the 60/1.2 is in screw mount...I've never seen one myself, in person, advertised on line, or otherwise. I doubt one has ever even escaped the shores of Japan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 It's a bit like Rodney Dangerfield (or whatever this lousy actor's name is) - "I cannot get any repsect!" Reminds me when I was attending a wedding in Mexico. The wedding photographer/s (with Nikon F100s) flocked around my buddy and his M7. I carried a Hexar RF w/ the 50 at the time - and I wasn't given the time of the day, even if my buddy tried direct their attention to my piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas k. Posted October 21, 2003 Share Posted October 21, 2003 Maybe Konica should've produced a "Hexar RF Royal Tibetan Emperor's Dog's Tenth Birthday Special Edition" model with Burmese python snakeskin covering and a rhinestone embedded in the shutter release for $10,000. Then they might have caught on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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