Gimme the run down: Hi-Matic 9

[fast14riot]

Just picked up a nice looking Hi-Matic 9 for $5.00 with the never ready case. Its in great cosmetic condition, but it is still an old camera. I have a manual for it and new light seals on the way. I am working on an adapter for a SR44 battery as well, but have no issues using it in manual mode.

What are the common areas to check on these? It does have an ever so slightly loose lens barrel. I just need the basic run down, if there are any specific issues for this specific camera. Focus seems to be good, glass is all good, no oil or fungus, no other physical issues.


Still new to the world of RF cameras, now I have two! Can't wait to put them through their paces soon!


-Xander

 

[fast14riot]

Well, anyone?!

Bueller?


-x

 

[ibcrewin]

Post a pic of it! I had a hi-matic 7 with the rokkor lens and it was sweet.

 

[vidgamer]

Google and see if the meter will be off if your new batteries are a different voltage. I've used zinc-air batteries in a couple of cameras, but they don't last long. I don't have any hi-matics, so sorry I have no specific info. I'd like a later Hi-Matic. But the 7, 9, and 11 all sound like solid performers.

Anyway, if it seems like the shutter's working, I say burn a roll! 🙂

 

[fast14riot]

Yeah, I know that the voltage difference will throw the meter off a bit. Mainly I want to see if all the auto functions work, so I can just hand it to my wife. I've done some searching, but ofcourse any slightest issue will have all kinds of press, but I couldn't find anything listing a set of things to check.

-Xander

 

[back alley]

big camera
sharp lens
lens is often loose on these older cams
great in a fight

had a couple over the years...liked them

 

[Uncle Fester]

I bought one from Jon Goodman over on APUg a couple of months ago, after looking for one for a few years. Great lens, like all Minolta glass. I like the size of the camera body, a perfect fit for my big klutzy hands.

 

[mwoenv]

I have a 7S and love it.

Go to orphancameras.com for the manual.

To get the 1.4 volts provided by the old mercury batteries and accurate metering, use inexpensive 675 hearing aid batteries placed in an inexpensive adapter:

http://www.paulbg.com/Nikon_F_meter_batteries.htm

If you remove the battery and place the tab that came with it over the + side, they last. The 675 batteries are inexpensive to begin with.

Not mentioned in the manual is that you can use the Auto mode for expposure compensation of a sort. Lock the exposure on a slightly lighter or darker subject by lightly pressing and holding the shutter button, then point to your subject and shoot.

 

[fast14riot]

Thanx guys. I have already downloaded a manual, and I have some brand new SR44 batteries, so I may just do that for now.

I, too, like the size of the camera. I should have my light seal kits tomorrow or Monday hopfully and then can run a roll of film through it.

Looks like it is fairly solid, except for the lens mounting, maybe I will look into that later on.


-Xander

 

[Ranchu]

The best thing is the flashmatic system, entirely consistent flash exposure at any shutter speed! Mine metered a third of a stop underexposure with an sr44 and the adaptor ring off a wein cell, no problem. This is one of few fixed lens rf's that I can stand using the focusing ring, usually they are too thin and have an annoying tab design.