Just got a (black) Minolta 7SII clone, Vivitar 35ES!

[Shaocaholica]

I like the size, weight and handling except the focus lever is on the wrong side of the camera for me. Shutter speed dial is a bit small to grasp and viewfinder is pretty lacking compared to my previous Bessa R3A but overall a nice fixed lens RF in sexy black enamel. I'm sure the actual 7SII isn't any better on those features either. I tried to get a black 7SII but it was just too much. This, I guess, is as close as I'll get.

I have a pair of Yashica Electro 35s coming next week to pit against this beauty.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Close but no clone

Close but no clone

FWIW the Minolta 7sII has auto *AND* manual exposure.

Chris

 

[fototammer]

Congratulations! Very nice and good looking camera. For me the focusing lever is on the right place and works very good. Don't forget to use it, when the big Yashicas are coming in!

 

[Shaocaholica]

FWIW the Minolta 7sII has auto *AND* manual exposure.

Chris

Yeah, that too but I'm not missing it...yet. Plus I can always recompose, exposure lock when the meter reads what I want and recompose back.

 

[fishtek]

I've got one, and enjoy it a lot! It's a geat bring-along camera, and gives up quite good results. Enjoy!

Regards!
Don

 

[NickTrop]

Wow. That looks like a beautiful sample. Supposed to have a killer lens, too.

 

[Brennotdan]

Yeah, that too but I'm not missing it...yet. Plus I can always recompose, exposure lock when the meter reads what I want and recompose back.

That is what I do as well with this camera. With the release half way down, the aperture opens and holds. Last time I shot 400 speed film with mine I set the ASA to 200 and metered off my palm, since most of the scene was snow. It's difficult to change ASA settings on the go with that sharp little lever under the lens.

I'm still not sure if I am keeping mine, I guess I like shooting with a bigger camera.

 

[zoom2zoom]

good to see this thread, help me remember to take this camera out of the case, still feels nice to hold, make me want to shoot a roll tomorrow.

 

[cmogi10]

 

[rich815]

I've got the 35EE which is fairly similar to that one, and a couple of 35EM's too. I have to say though the 35EM's lens seems sharper, I thought they'd be about the same....

Enjoy!

 

[Russ]

Wow. That looks like a beautiful sample. Supposed to have a killer lens, too.

It is a killer lens. The lens is a design collaboration between Minolta & Leitz. My Viv ES & Minolta 7sII, always delivers superb results.

Russ

 

[agi]

I have the Vivitar and the 7sii and they are great. I just don't use it as often as I should. They are the forgotten cameras here at RFF as they aren't mentioned as much.

 

[zuikologist]

That is a fine looking 35ES. It is possibly my favourite fixed lens RF. Great size, fantastic lens and a robust RF mechanism.