cmedin
Well-known
I just picked up a Hi-Matic 11 for $15 shipped. Hasn't been used in ages and the battery's toast. No clue how well it works with a new battery, but for $15 I figured I'd give it a shot.
The really interesting piece though, is how easily I can focus it. I have a Kiev 4, as well as a Lynx 14, and have tried a few other RFs as well; none of them have been as easy as this one. The patch is rather soft around the edges and small but MAN, the stuff just snaps into place; and best of all, it's easy to see wearing glasses. Are all the Hi-Matics this nice? If so, I might go looking for an all-manual to complement this shutter priority beast.
I'll swap in the battery from my SRT later this evening and see if I can make it go... I love the overall feel of it so if the mechanics and electronics are in shape I can really see getting to be good friends with it.
Another question: the shutter sounds reasonably accurate, but it feels funny; when you depress the shutter button it opens and closes like it should, and when the button is released I can feel/see something moving again in the lens. What's up with that?
The really interesting piece though, is how easily I can focus it. I have a Kiev 4, as well as a Lynx 14, and have tried a few other RFs as well; none of them have been as easy as this one. The patch is rather soft around the edges and small but MAN, the stuff just snaps into place; and best of all, it's easy to see wearing glasses. Are all the Hi-Matics this nice? If so, I might go looking for an all-manual to complement this shutter priority beast.
I'll swap in the battery from my SRT later this evening and see if I can make it go... I love the overall feel of it so if the mechanics and electronics are in shape I can really see getting to be good friends with it.
Another question: the shutter sounds reasonably accurate, but it feels funny; when you depress the shutter button it opens and closes like it should, and when the button is released I can feel/see something moving again in the lens. What's up with that?
cmedin
Well-known
Well, good news: dropped in the battery from my SRT101, and the meter reads within 1/2 stop of my Bessa L. Guess I'll do the light seals for good measure and then pop a roll in to see what it can do. 
pesphoto
Veteran
Enjoy the camera and let us know how it performs. IM waiting on a HiMAtic AF2.
cmedin
Well-known
I'll run a test roll through today or tomorrow. Just did the light seals (as expected there was virtually nothing left of the original ones) so after it sits for a couple hours it'll be ready for primetime.
howpow
Established
If you feel confident enough, take the top off and clean the viewfinder elements. The Hi-matic 7,9 & 11 all have fabulous viewfinders and really benefit greatly from a clean. Be careful cleaning the 45% semi silvered mirror. just dust it with a Q-tip on the side nearest the eyepiece, the other side can be cleaned with windex etc.
have fun!
Howard
have fun!
Howard
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