meter repair minolta 7s?

[radiobob]

O.K., I'm sure it's been asked, but how can I get the meter working on my Minolta Hi-Matic 7s? It's turned on, in auto, no lens cap on, battery works, but the meter won't work. I'm a newbie, but I'm handy. The diamond for the RF is faint too.

Bob

 

[cbass]

Did you check the ASA on the bottom of the lens barrel? I think the ASA slider will act as a meter on/off switch, maybe your has a bad contact and the camera thinks it's "off" even when the ASA is correctly set.

You may also have a corroded wire somewhere. You could try removing the top and bottom plates and checking the wiring. While you're under there you could clean the VF window, too. Also, I think Matt Denton's web site has a page about replacing meter cells.

Those Hi-Matics are great cameras. Luckily (except for the H-M 11) they are fully functional w/out the meter.

 

[radiobob]

Thanks Chris, as a total beginner at photography I should probably leave it broke till I learn how to do it manually! Looks like I'll have to take off the top at least, I have been using it so everything else works O.K.

Bob