Konica Minolta HEXAR RF - User Manual

This document serves as a comprehensive manual for the Konica HEXAR RF camera, a sophisticated 35mm rangefinder camera designed for discerning photographers. The manual details its functions, usage features, and maintenance, ensuring users can fully leverage its capabilities for both casual and advanced photography.

Function Description

The Konica HEXAR RF is a direct metering, auto exposure type rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses, specifically M-Hexanon Lenses of the KM mount type manufactured by Konica. It utilizes a digital-control vertical action electronic metal blade focal plane shutter, offering a wide range of shutter speeds from 1/4000 sec to 16 seconds in auto mode, and 1/4000 sec to 1 second (1TV step) plus Bulb in manual mode.

The camera supports various exposure modes, including aperture priority AE (Automatic Exposure), manual exposure, and AE lock photography. Its exposure metering system is a center-weighted TTL (Through-The-Lens) type using an SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) sensor, ensuring accurate exposure readings across an EV range of 1 to 18 (at ISO100, F2).

Film sensitivity is automatically set for DX-coded films from ISO 25 to ISO 5000, and can be manually adjusted from ISO 6 to ISO 6400 for non-DX coded films or specific creative control. The viewfinder is a real image distance meter type, Reverse Galileo type, offering an 85% field of vision at 3 meters and a magnification of 0.6X. It features an interactive distance range from 0.7 meters to infinity.

The camera incorporates an automatic film transport system, which includes autoloading to the first frame when the back cover is closed and the main switch is turned ON. It automatically winds the film after each frame and rewinds it at the end of the roll, with an auto-rewind stop feature. A manual rewind function is also available for early film removal.

A digital-controlled self-timer provides a 10-second delay, indicated by an LED, and can be canceled once started. Flash photography is supported via a hot shoe and direct X contact. It automatically synchronizes at 1/125 sec with dedicated electronic flashes in AE mode, and manually at 1/125 sec and slower shutter speeds with non-dedicated electronic flashes.

Usage Features

Battery Loading and Power Management: The camera requires two 3V lithium batteries (CR2). It will not operate without batteries. Users are instructed to turn off the main switch before installing or replacing batteries. A battery power symbol on the display panel indicates the charge level: a black symbol for adequate power, 2/3 blank for low power (time to replace), and blinking then completely blank for no power. The manual notes that enough power remains to finish a roll of film when the symbol is 2/3 blank.

Lens Attachment and Removal: Lenses are attached by aligning the red dot on the lens with the lens index on the camera, pressing gently, and turning clockwise until a click is heard. Removal involves pressing the removal button and turning the lens counterclockwise. Users are advised to protect the camera and lens with caps when not in use and to avoid strong sunlight exposure with the lens removed.

Main Switch Operation: The main switch lever controls power ON/OFF and switches between one-frame photography ("S"), consecutive photography ("C"), and self-timer photography. The camera operates normally in the "S" position. In "C" mode, holding down the shutter release button allows for continuous shooting at up to three frames per second, though speed may vary with shutter speed, film sensitivity, and battery level.

Viewfinder and Display Panel: The display panel shows the battery power symbol and film counter. The viewfinder includes LED indicators for shutter speed, exposure warning, flash ready, and exposure compensation. In AE mode, the LED dot display shows the correct shutter speed, while in manual mode, it shows both the set and expected shutter speeds. The viewfinder also features illuminated bright frames for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses, with automatic parallax compensation.

Film Loading: The camera uses 35mm (size 135) film. To load, raise the back cover release knob, turn it to open the back cover, place a new roll in the film chamber, draw the film tip to the FILM TIP mark, and close the back cover. The camera automatically winds the film upon turning on the main switch. A blinking "0" on the display panel indicates incorrect film winding.

Setting Film Sensitivity: For non-DX coded film, or when desiring a different sensitivity than the DX code, the ISO/Exposure control dial is used to manually set sensitivity in one-third steps from ISO 6 to 6400. Setting the dial to "DX" with non-DX film defaults to ISO 100.

Shutter Dial Operation: The shutter dial selects exposure modes (AE, AEL, B) or manual shutter speeds. The dial is locked in "AE" or "AEL" positions and requires pressing the shutter dial unlock button to change.

Sharp Focus: Focusing is performed using the dual image merging method or vertical merging method within the central section of the viewfinder. Users align dual images or vertical objects until they merge to achieve sharp focus.

Film Unloading: Film automatically rewinds at the end of the roll, stopping when the film counter blinks "0". Film can also be manually rewound. The manual notes that film can be rewound with the tip out, which is indicated by "--" on the display panel just before the rewind completes. Rewind can be paused by turning off the main switch.

Focus Priority AE Photography: In this mode, the camera automatically sets shutter speed based on a fixed F-stop. Users pull out the lens hood, turn the focus ring to set the F-stop, and adjust focus through the finder. The automatically set shutter speed lights up in the finder. Rapid blinking of "4" or "4000" indicates the camera is outside the low or high luminosity linked range, respectively, prompting a change in focus value.

Manual Exposure Photography: This mode allows independent setting of shutter speed and focus. Users set the shutter speed via the shutter dial, pull out the lens hood, and set the F-stop. The set shutter speed lights up in the finder, while a blinking indicator suggests the correct shutter speed for the focus and film sensitivity.

Depth of Field: The manual explains depth of field characteristics (relation to F-value, focal length, and subject distance) and how to read depth of field graduations on the lens.

Infrared Photography: Requires moving the focus distance to the red infrared line next to the index to compensate for the different focus points under infrared light. Infrared film and filters are necessary. The 90mm/F2.8 KM mount lens does not have an infrared index.

Exposure Compensation: Two methods are available: using the exposure compensation dial (adjusts -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV steps) or AE lock. AE lock fixes exposure by pressing the shutter button halfway in "AEL" mode, allowing recomposition without exposure changes.

Bulb Photography: For shutter speeds longer than 1 second, the "B" mode keeps the shutter open as long as the shutter button is held down. A tripod and cable release are recommended to prevent camera shake.

Self-timer Mode: Activates a 10-second delay, with the self-timer lamp blinking for 7 seconds and then steady for 3 seconds. It cannot operate in Bulb mode.

Flash Photography: The manual details use of the dedicated HX-18W flash for automatic light-control or full-flash photography. Users attach the flash to the hot shoe, set the flash's rotary switch to AUTO-1 or AUTO-2, and set the camera's shutter dial to "AE" or "AEL." Shutter speed is automatically set to 1/125 sec in focus priority AE. The formula for calculating correct aperture value (F = Guide Numbers / Focused Distance) is provided for full-flash mode. Cautions include not pointing the flash at vehicle drivers and ensuring the flash surface is clean and uncovered.

Maintenance Features

Battery Replacement: Users are reminded to turn off the power switch before replacing batteries. If replacing batteries with film loaded, do so quickly (within 30 seconds) to avoid data loss.

Shutter Diaphragm Care: The shutter diaphragm is a precision component. Users are warned not to touch it with fingers or allow film tips to strike it. When cleaning the camera with a blower, avoid applying air too strongly to prevent damage to the diaphragm.

Lens Care: When removing or attaching a lens, hold the main body of the lens firmly. Prevent dust or dirt from entering the lens body and avoid touching the lens surface or internal contacts. Keeping the lens cap on is the safest way to protect the lens.

Film Handling: Do not remove film in direct sunlight. It is recommended to develop exposed film as soon as possible.

General Care: The manual implicitly encourages careful handling of the camera, especially regarding delicate components like the shutter diaphragm and lens elements. It also advises against leaving the camera in strong sunlight with the lens removed, which could potentially cause damage.