M6 vs Hexar RF ?

[CatLABS]

I am sure this will cause a stir - so please, please, keep this on track as much as possible.

Can anyone who has used both comment on this:
They cost about the same, look about the same, do about the same, and use the same lenses.
Is there a big difference between the M6 ans Hexar RF as far as using it?
Functionality?

Thanks!

 

[karl]

You've got some major misconceptions here.

Leica M6 bodies are still going for around $1000 on eBay.
Konica Hexar RF bodies are easy to find on eBay for $500.

Leica M6 totally manual metering.
Hexar RF aperture priority metering.

Leica M6 has typical Leica quirky film loading.
Hexar RF has nice, easy auto loading a la Contax G2 (they share some parts.)

Leica M6 has amazing bright finder that is not fussy about eye placement for focusing.
Hexar RF has a nearly as bright finder that is QUITE fussy about eye placement for focusing.

I've had both, and loved the price, feel, finish, metering and autowind/film loading of the Hexar RF but what drove me back to my Leica was (especially as a glasses wearer) just how fussy the Hexar RF is in terms of eye placement when focusing. Unless your eye is well centered in the view finder the it's quite hard to use the focusing patch in the rangefinder. Plus, the slightly higher magnification viewfinder of the Leica (.72 vs .6) is nice to have.

 

[gone]

The Hexar is more like an M7 in terms of features, but the build quality is not the same. It feels sort of "dead" in your hands, while the Leica is more alive, if that makes any sense. I did like the auto film advance feature a lot on the Hexar, but preferred the Leica viewfinder. Neither is as nice as a CLAd M3, especially a DS M3. That's a fine machine, and better built than either of the cameras you mentioned by far.

Truthfully, if you don't mind the somewhat noisier shutter, the Bessa R2a/R3a is as good as either (except for the build quality compared to the Leica). I used an R2a for years when I was shooting rangefinders and loved it, especially the eye relief, which worked great w/ my eyeglasses. But if I was going back to rangefinders (doubtful) and had the money to spend, a CLAd DS M3 would be my choice. They're just so much fun to use.

 

[Xmas]

I left the battery out of my M6 could not stand the lights.

The Leica film loading is difficult if you don't read the manual...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

They are all nice. But if you are regular, prolific shooter and not gear head with cameras on shelves instead of in hands it comes down to availability of service. Where I'm it is for Leica only.

 

[CatLABS]

I am more concerned about light meter more then feel.
I ordered an M6 with lens, and will give it a whack. hexars are not that expensive i guess, if i wanted to try them both in hand.
Thanks for all those who replied.