farlymac
PF McFarland
Friend of mine sent me a box with three cameras in it the other day, and I was going over them trying to figure out was was wrong with each one, and had a couple surprizes, and now have a couple questions.
The Minolta HiMatic AF2 was doa, or at least until I finally got the batteries to connect. Just takes two AA's, so no problems with compatability, but you've got to get them in right. Anyway, one thing to look out for on a camera like this is it will not let you fire the shutter until the film counter says '1'. Thought the thing was jamming. It's main problem though is the flash will not fire. The green 'Charged' light comes on, the warning light and beep alarm work, but the flash will not trigger. Flash tube burnt out? Trigger contact problem? I don't have a repair manual or any diagrams, so any help is appreciated.
Second camera is a Konica C35. The back release had gotten out of adjustment, so the previous owner had taken to prying it open. Took the top cover off, adjusted the release, cleaned the finder, reglued a plastic shield that had come loose, straightened up the back, and cleaned some mung off the rear element. Now all it needs is the seals redone.
The third camera, another Minolta HiMatic, model G, is a different case. The meter was not working, but it would jump a bit when you released the shutter. After opening it up, I found out that there is a catch to lock the meter needle when the exposure is taken, and that was what made the needle jump, so it definitely was not operating. The needle is swinging free in the fulcrum, so it wasn't damaged either, though there is a large dent in the lower left corner, and the 45 degree mirror behind the mask in the viewfinder is cracked. What I did notice almost right away, is there is only one wire on the meter. I don't see a loose end anywhere, so I don't know where to connect the meter to. Again, no repair manual or diagrams to go by, so any help is welcome.
What did strike me though is how alike this camera is to the Yashica 35 ME. The only differences I could find were in the side corners of the bodies, and the shape of the top covers. Everything else, right down to the placement of the screws, is the same. I guess this was Yashica's first foray into having someone else make a camera for them, as it is the first model without the 'Pad Of Death' that I know of, and is not in the Electro line. All else fails, I guess I could tear down the Yashica again to find out how to wire the Minolta meter. Oh, BTW, the black wire is on the Minolta meter, and the wire that goes to the terminal marked with a red dot on the back of the meter housing is the one that is missing.
Thanks,
PF
The Minolta HiMatic AF2 was doa, or at least until I finally got the batteries to connect. Just takes two AA's, so no problems with compatability, but you've got to get them in right. Anyway, one thing to look out for on a camera like this is it will not let you fire the shutter until the film counter says '1'. Thought the thing was jamming. It's main problem though is the flash will not fire. The green 'Charged' light comes on, the warning light and beep alarm work, but the flash will not trigger. Flash tube burnt out? Trigger contact problem? I don't have a repair manual or any diagrams, so any help is appreciated.
Second camera is a Konica C35. The back release had gotten out of adjustment, so the previous owner had taken to prying it open. Took the top cover off, adjusted the release, cleaned the finder, reglued a plastic shield that had come loose, straightened up the back, and cleaned some mung off the rear element. Now all it needs is the seals redone.
The third camera, another Minolta HiMatic, model G, is a different case. The meter was not working, but it would jump a bit when you released the shutter. After opening it up, I found out that there is a catch to lock the meter needle when the exposure is taken, and that was what made the needle jump, so it definitely was not operating. The needle is swinging free in the fulcrum, so it wasn't damaged either, though there is a large dent in the lower left corner, and the 45 degree mirror behind the mask in the viewfinder is cracked. What I did notice almost right away, is there is only one wire on the meter. I don't see a loose end anywhere, so I don't know where to connect the meter to. Again, no repair manual or diagrams to go by, so any help is welcome.
What did strike me though is how alike this camera is to the Yashica 35 ME. The only differences I could find were in the side corners of the bodies, and the shape of the top covers. Everything else, right down to the placement of the screws, is the same. I guess this was Yashica's first foray into having someone else make a camera for them, as it is the first model without the 'Pad Of Death' that I know of, and is not in the Electro line. All else fails, I guess I could tear down the Yashica again to find out how to wire the Minolta meter. Oh, BTW, the black wire is on the Minolta meter, and the wire that goes to the terminal marked with a red dot on the back of the meter housing is the one that is missing.
Thanks,
PF
pinkarmy
Well-known
i want to have a friend like yours...lol
my hi-matic 9's meter also has the "jump a bit" situation (otherwise it stay at the top position) too, anyone could explain? thx.
my hi-matic 9's meter also has the "jump a bit" situation (otherwise it stay at the top position) too, anyone could explain? thx.
Last edited:
Justin Smith
Established
Good on for keeping that C35 alive! A black one was my first rangefinder that I foolishly sold (thought I needed full control). Fortune smiled on me, and I was gifted a Vivitar clone a couple of years ago from a forum member. They are great pocket/car cameras.