Minolta Hi-Matic 7s

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Denmark;

Perhaps now I can speak on the subject of the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s. As justification for my claim, I point out that now I also have the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s II, which I believe is closely related.

My reaction after almost two weeks and two rolls of film (with a third in the camera now) is that this is a very nice smaller camera. I like the prints I have received so far. It is almost pocket size, but not quite. The Rollie 35 may still hold the title in that category. However . . .

My point of reference for cameras of this type is the Minolta Hi-Matic 9. I find that the wider range of shutter speeds on the 9 really helps in varying lighting conditions. While the shutter speed on the 7s II goes down to only 1/15 of a second, if you are only hand-holding the camera, that is not a problem. But, if you want to use it on a tripod or just set it on a table and trigger the shutter with the self timer, you might not be able to get some of those "fading light" photographs. The additional weight and the larger size of the 9 body fits my hands better. The lens is only a 40 mm on my 7s II; my preferred focal length for a 35 mm camera is still 58 mm, so 40 mm is farther away than the 45 mm on the 9.

Will I keep the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s II? Yes, I will. I do like the smaller size and lighter weight for some applications, such as in my pack, where it will perform well under most common conditions.

Perhaps that is why I have more than one camera.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

im planning to have this CLA'ed and sell it.. and get the konica auto s2 instead.. or the canonet ql17 giii.. but, still, i might change my mind once i get this fixed.. the lens is amazing.. the focused ones were sharper than my nikon series e lens.. but the konica is another beast.. so there.. wish me luck..

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Denmark;

Which ever camera you choose, you will do fine. As with almost any tool, the main thing is to use it. From the photographs you have posted here, it is obvious that you are using your camera, and you are enjoying it. That is still the main thing.

When I looked and compared my Minolta Hi-Matic 7s II with the standard 7s, I discovered that there are several differences. The 7s lens is a 45 mm lens. I think that is good. My 7s II also has a slow speed of 1/8 second instead of 1/15 second, and it does have a 40 mm lens. Why did they change specifications so much when they "upgraded" the 7s to the 7s II? If they were going to make the camera smaller yet with a shorter lens, it would seem appropriate to me to give it a different model designation. The 7s was smaller than the Mi-Matic 9, and it got a different model designation, even though both of them have a 45 mm lens.

Anyway, have fun with your camera. I am with mine.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

Good morning, Denmark;

Which ever camera you choose, you will do fine. As with almost any tool, the main thing is to use it. From the photographs you have posted here, it is obvious that you are using your camera, and you are enjoying it. That is still the main thing.

When I looked and compared my Minolta Hi-Matic 7s II with the standard 7s, I discovered that there are several differences. The 7s lens is a 45 mm lens. I think that is good. My 7s II also has a slow speed of 1/8 second instead of 1/15 second, and it does have a 40 mm lens. Why did they change specifications so much when they "upgraded" the 7s to the 7s II? If they were going to make the camera smaller yet with a shorter lens, it would seem appropriate to me to give it a different model designation. The 7s was smaller than the Mi-Matic 9, and it got a different model designation, even though both of them have a 45 mm lens.

Anyway, have fun with your camera. I am with mine.

Thank You Ralph..

yes, I am still using the camera, despite of the wobbliness.. i really want to get it fixed and start shooting seriously with it. it is my first rangefinder and is really hard to let go of it. im going to try and give my 7s a good fix.

post some of your pics here.. i want to see the 7s II and the 9.. thanks!