7SII viewfinder

[jamesdak]

Hello, I'm new to rangefinders but not photography. I've recently picked up 2 Minolta Hi-Matic 7SIIs and a Olympus 35RC. I had one of the Hi-matics CLA but the viewfinders on both of them are still quite dim and hard to focus when compared to the 35RC. Is this just the nature of the beast or did I maybe not get such a good job done with the CLA I paid for? I am amazed by the sharp images the little Minolta's produce despite the focusing challenge. Anything to assist with this is greatly appreciated. Jim

 

[kabkos]

The rangefinder in the Minolta HiMatic 7SII should be as bright as the Olympus 35RC. It sounds like the CLA did not include cleaning the rangefinder. If you are daring, it is quite easy to remove the top of the camera and clean the rangefinder. If you do try it, just remember to not attempt to clean the backside of the halfsilvered mirror (the backside is the side facing the rear of the camera). The half silvered mirror material comes off easily.

regards,
karl

 

[jamesdak]

Well, I've got two of them so maybe I can experiment on the one. Do you have a link that shows disassembly? Thanks, Jim

 

[former member]

The 7SII uses a cemented pair for the front group of the viewfinder. It is subject to figging up and cannot be readily cleaned as can some other viewfinder cameras. The Konica S3, based on the same body as the 7SII, separates the front into two elements that can be cleaned of haze. I have both cameras, have opended both up, and could clean everything but that front group. The haze is not "bad", but is visible when pointing at bright lights.