"Auto" flash question, Minolta Hi matic 7s

[Nearsighted]

Hi, I have a Hi matic 7s I bought some years ago. I've looked in the user's manual about the camera's flash capabilities. I don't know if "Auto" flashes were even produced when this camera was made. The manual indicates the camera will sync at any shutter speed if the PC cable is used (connecting the lense to the flash). But the hotshoe only syncs at 1/30th. Does this sound right? I would like to use the flash in the "auto" mode with the camera set to "auto" as well. The flash unit is a Vivitar Auto 251. Any comments of suggestions appreciated. By the way, the camera with the flash attached is pretty cool looking! They look like they were made for one another.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The 7s syncs with Flashbulbs only at 1/30th and slower. It's possible that the Hot-Shoe is M-Synced and the PC cord is X-Sync.

 

[Nearsighted]

You've lost me Brian. I don't know the difference in M sync and X sync. I can tell you the camera takes the photo and the flash fires with everything in "A" mode, but I don't know if the picture will be over or under exposed.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have the Hi-Matic 9. I always set the shutter speed manually for Flash mode. "way back when", using FlashBulbs (M-Sync) the shutter had to be set for 1/30th second. Electronic flash (X-sync) could work at all speeds. The Hi-Matic 9 could not be used on Automatic Exposure with flash. It had a mode to dial in the Guide-Number and would adjust the F-Stop as you focussed.

Your best bet: Try test shooting at higher speeds with the back of the camera opened up to view the flash though the lens. Set the F-Stop according to the 251's auto-mode.

 

[Nearsighted]

Great suggestion. Never thought of that. Thanks Brian.

 

[Al Kaplan]

X synch has zero delay. The shutter opens, the flash fires. M synch has a 30 millisecond delay after the flash contacts close and before the shutter opens. That lets a flashbulb get up to full power before the shutter opens.

There were also "fast peak" bulbs that gave off a very short bright burst of light. Their was no magnesiom foil or wire inside, only the primer. They used F synch with a 5 millisecond delay.

Finally, there was FP synch for "long peak" bulbs such as the 6 and 26. They maintained a relatively constant peak output long enough so a focal plane shutter could go all the way across the film in your 4X 5 press camera.

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