Handling the Minolta Hi-Matic F

[Prometheus]

I've shot a couple of rolls Tri-X through my Minolta Hi-Matic F. But some of the shots was quite blurry. I was probably not trying enough to keep the camera still (hard when you can't control the settings, I'm used to manual control). Do you have any tip or suggestion on how I could get sharper images? Is there a way to get faster shutterspeed?

 

[btgc]

Maybe soft release [attachment] could help? Some AE systems make release kind of tight...don't have any Hi-matic, judging from Yashica Electro, KAS2.

 

[Prometheus]

Maybe soft release [attachment]

Hm, sounds interesting but I'm not sure what that is? 🙂

On the other hand I could just try to hold it firmer next time. I was just so sure it would make fast shutter a priority rather then small aperture, so I was a bit careless with movement.

Will show some images soon, but I need to scan the negatives in my old scanner first 🙂

 

[btgc]

Hm, sounds interesting but I'm not sure what that is? 🙂

basically, it increases contact space of release. Kind of http://www.leicatime.com/CONCAVEonM2clup1copy.jpg

I don't know how easy travels release on your F, though on Electro it's too stiff, for my taste. With soft release it feels much better.

Oh, there are two types of SR - convex and concave, it depends on you which is better for you.

 

[Ducky]

Re: soft release.

Fedka sells them. They are handy.
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=517

 

[Eugen Mezei]

On the other hand I could just try to hold it firmer next time.

In my case this is one of the few cameras I can hold still at long exposure times. (Perhaps the reason is that it is light and has a central shutter.) With a bit of care (stopping breath) I get unshaked pictures even when the advertising light (longer time than 1/30s selected by the camera automtism) goes on.

I was just so sure it would make fast shutter a priority rather then small aperture, so I was a bit careless with movement.

I realy like this camera (I ignored it at first as beeing a fully automatic one, but after the first roll I was convinced about his capacities, in fact you don't need manual settings, it makea anything perfect) but indeed it prefers to prolong the shutter time before it opens the apperture. For me this is more of a problem as in some situation (or practically in any situation) I get too much depth of field. In fact almost everything is in focus from a couple of metres to infinity with 100 ASA film.
Btw., anybody knows a CN film with lower sensitivity than 100 ASA?

And if anybody needs fresh mercury cells for the Hi-Matic F (or some other camera) just drop me an email. With these exposing slides is no problem with the Hi-Matic F and they will last you about 10 years in use (or stored).

Eugen