LeicaVirgin
Newbie
What type of flash do I need for this model's "EasyFlash" feature? It would be nice to get the correct vintage flash for the look, but a flash with a bounce would be more useful.
Flash for Hi-Matic 9?
- Thread starter LeicaVirgin
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 4
- Views 1K
camera.bear
Well-known
The Hi-Matic 9 is a very Flash friendly camera. It was designed to use Minolta’s Easy Flash system in conjunction with their Electroflash units. There are two types of units; the Electroflash and the Auto Electroflash.
The Electroflash is a manual flash unit with no controls for adjustment on the unit. This type of unit works with Minoltas Easy Flash system by setting the Guide Number (GN) of the flash on the camera. I generally use an Electroflash P on my Hi-Matic 9. The Electroflash P has a GN of 45 (in feet) at ASA 100. All I have to do is set the GN on the Hi-Matic to 45. This camera will sync with an electronic flash at any shutter speed; I usually set 1/125 second. With the Guide Number set, the Easy Flash system adjusts the camera’s Aperture based on the focused distance to the subject.
When using an Auto Electroflash unit, the flash can be set to Manual or Auto. In the manual mode, it would be used like the Electroflash by setting the GN on the Hi-Matic 9. However in the Auto setting, the cameras Aperture must be set based on the computer dial on the flash unit. For the Auto Electroflash 14 that I use on my H-Matic 7sII, I set the ASA on the dial and then transfer the corresponding AUTO setting to the cameras Aperture setting. At ASA 100 this would be f 4.0. The flash unit now automatically varies the flash duration based on the actual camera to subject distance, not the focused distance. As before, the Hi-Matic syncs with the flash at any shutter speed. .
Using an Auto Electroflash with a bounce head requires an additional step, really a calculation. This is because with bounce flash. the maximum camera to subject distance is about half that of direct flash. You must either adjust the distance by half or the Aperture setting on the camera by half, i.e. from f 4.0 to f 2.8 to allow more light to reach the film.
This is just the briefest overview of using electronic flash. Do an internet search or check out a used bookstore for books on flash photography.
Check here to see a pic using the Hi-Matic 9 and Electroflash P.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerabear/2508012124/in/set-72157605073154911/
I hope that this helps.
The Electroflash is a manual flash unit with no controls for adjustment on the unit. This type of unit works with Minoltas Easy Flash system by setting the Guide Number (GN) of the flash on the camera. I generally use an Electroflash P on my Hi-Matic 9. The Electroflash P has a GN of 45 (in feet) at ASA 100. All I have to do is set the GN on the Hi-Matic to 45. This camera will sync with an electronic flash at any shutter speed; I usually set 1/125 second. With the Guide Number set, the Easy Flash system adjusts the camera’s Aperture based on the focused distance to the subject.
When using an Auto Electroflash unit, the flash can be set to Manual or Auto. In the manual mode, it would be used like the Electroflash by setting the GN on the Hi-Matic 9. However in the Auto setting, the cameras Aperture must be set based on the computer dial on the flash unit. For the Auto Electroflash 14 that I use on my H-Matic 7sII, I set the ASA on the dial and then transfer the corresponding AUTO setting to the cameras Aperture setting. At ASA 100 this would be f 4.0. The flash unit now automatically varies the flash duration based on the actual camera to subject distance, not the focused distance. As before, the Hi-Matic syncs with the flash at any shutter speed. .
Using an Auto Electroflash with a bounce head requires an additional step, really a calculation. This is because with bounce flash. the maximum camera to subject distance is about half that of direct flash. You must either adjust the distance by half or the Aperture setting on the camera by half, i.e. from f 4.0 to f 2.8 to allow more light to reach the film.
This is just the briefest overview of using electronic flash. Do an internet search or check out a used bookstore for books on flash photography.
Check here to see a pic using the Hi-Matic 9 and Electroflash P.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerabear/2508012124/in/set-72157605073154911/
I hope that this helps.
Last edited:
LeicaVirgin
Newbie
I bought an Minolta Auto22 off Ebay which I got today. It looks like the only thing I can adjust is the film speed. There is a distance, and aperture on the bottom half, but I'm not sure how to set those since there's no pointer like the one that's underneath the speed numbers. Is this similar to the P flash that you use? This Auto 22 has the manual/auto switch in the front. There is a switch in the back under the dial; can you tell me what that is for? It came with a new looking leather case, but no manual. My recently purchased Hi-Matic 9 is in the shop.
Attachments
camera.bear
Well-known
I looked at the user's manual for the Auto Electroflash and was not able to determine what the tiny switch does. The only switch on the back that the manual talks about is the on/off switch. It does seem if there is a tiny switch under the computer dial. It may lock the dial in place to avoid losing the settings chosen. I have the Auto Electroflash 20 and there is no lock on the computer dial and it is easy to change the setting if you are not careful.
Here is a link to the manual for the flash.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/minolta_22.pdf
Sorry to hear that your Hi-Matic 9 had to go into the shop. I hope you get it back soon and can start shooting with it.
Here is a link to the manual for the flash.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/minolta_22.pdf
Sorry to hear that your Hi-Matic 9 had to go into the shop. I hope you get it back soon and can start shooting with it.
LeicaVirgin
Newbie
Thanks for the link, I had been to that site before to get the Hi-Matic manual, but really missed this one. I just got the camera, and took it there for seals and a check-up. The trigger was jamming sometimes, and the timer was stuck so I took it back. One other thing, is it okay for the view finder not to be lined up vertically? It's okay horizontally, but vertically, it's a little off. For example, when I focus on a pole, the sides will line up, but the tops will be a little off.
