Minolta Hi-matic 7s vs Hi-matic 9

[aneal]

Is there any significant difference between these two cameras that makes one superior to the other?

 

[climbing_vine]

Is there any significant difference between these two cameras that makes one superior to the other?

The 9 has the "easy flash" system, which is nice sometimes if you have a decent flash. I've used it a bit for bounce work indoors where I just needed to "brighten things up" a little and it was nice.

More importantly, though, it just feels better--to me at least. The controls are very slightly different in a way that agrees with my smallish hands, the viewfinder seems nicer, the build quality seems nicer (the 7 seems to have a lot more problems than the 9 with poor soldering, in my experience of fixing them up).

The problem, of course, is they're way harder to find in decent condition.

 

[Sonny Boy Havidson]

It seems to me that the HM9 lens has an improved lens coating (and of course a f/1.7 aperture instead of f/1.8). The flashmatic mode is a very efficiant device which made me feel almost friend with flash. Is also seems to me that the HM9 has batterie check.

 

[camera.bear]

Here's a link to my take on the Hi-Matic 9:

http://www.wayneyoungphoto.com/himatic9.html

This pic was taken with the Hi-Matic 9 using an Electroflash P which has a guide number of 45 if I remember correctly.

This is a direct scan of the print. No photoshop.

 

[aneal]

Wayne, nice pic.

Can you tell me if i can use a Vivitar 283 flash with the Himatic 9?

a.neal

 

[camera.bear]

Hi a.neal,

Thanks about the picture. My friend had just had a stint put in and was getting over the surgery and a heart attack. Fortunately he is doing well now.

You can use the Vivitar 283 flash with the Hi-matic 9. The 283 can be used in either auto or manual modes. Check out this site for the insturction manual.

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/vivitar_283.pdf

Depending on how you are using the flash, you either set the aperture acording to the auto setting of the flash or set the guide number if you are using the flash on manual. If you get a Vivitar, make sure not to use rechargeable batteries in it. I made that mistake and blew out the capacitors. Luckly I had gotten the flash for 99 cents. I replaced it with a Minolta Auto Electroflash 132x which also has Manual and 2 auto ranges. I use this on the SR-T 101 as well.

 

[aneal]

Hello Wayne,

have received my hi-matic 9 from ebay , put a new battery in it but camera battery check shows camera needle not responding. I put in a brand new Wien cell battery, put it in with plus side up and made sure no moisture on contact in battery chamber but maybe i just need a CLA for this ebay baby. I can get this taken care of by a camera repair guy i know.

here is my question for you, how do i figure out about the EV seen in the viewfinder. i am used to f stops but EVs are new to me. any thought about how to understand and apporach this ( for me) new wrinkle. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Alfred Neal

 

[bmattock]

http://www.growlery.com/minolta_hi-matic_9/

Sorry, I quote myself:

This camera, like many others of the era, was designed to use the despised "LVS" settings, wherein one sets the EV (Exposure Value) based on a number from EV 1.5 to 17. When the EV is set, one merely has to rotate the aperture/speed rings at the front of the lens to adjust for either the speed or aperture desired, and any setting along that ring will (should) produce the correct exposure as well. Unlike some cameras of this time, the aperture and speed rings are not coupled to each other, you can rotate them independently. For example, if your internal meter indicates an EV of "10," and you want a shutter speed of 1/30th of a second, you would turn the shutter speed to 30 and the aperture setting to 5.6. This would show you the number '10' in the window marked 'EV' on the lens barrel. If you then grasp both the aperture and the speed rings together and move them to the right one click, you have a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second and an aperture of f4, but you still have the EV value of 10, so in theory, your exposure is the same. Get it?

It is a nice camera, hope you enjoy it!

 

[camera.bear]

Hi a.neal,

One of the things that I do with these cameras is to clean the battery contacts with plain white vinegar. I have had battery compartments that look clean, but the camera did not work until I cleaned the contacts. Try this and then make sure that the "+" side of the battery is facing out of the compartment. Also, make sure that the ASA selector on the underside of the lens barrel is not in the "OFF" position. Hope this helps.

Bill,

Thanks for the great review of the camera. I point people to it as it is a super refference.