Minolta Hi-Matic 9 parts question

[serafinas]

This is my first post on this site...so go easy on me if I'm looking in the wrong place. 😱

While I'm just getting into photography, my old man has been an avid photographer for decades.

He has an old Hi-Matic 9 which is in excellent condition...save one problem:

The film rewind key and screw are missing (a result of me or my siblings messing with it as a kid, I'm sure). Like I mentioned, as far as everything else goes, the camera is in pristine condition.

People have asked why he doesn't just get rid of it. For him, parting with it would be like cutting off an arm. To say it has sentimental value would be an understatement. I'd go into detail, but his experiences are his and therefore would be inappropriate for me to expound on them.

He's been to over a dozen vintage camera repair shops in several states and NOBODY has been able to help get the parts he needs. I've also been looking in my many travels. I'm in the Army and hit up every camera repair shop I can find. So far I've come up dry, and I've been looking for the last 7 years for him.

My question, and hopefully someone can offer some insight or get me in touch with the right people, is this:

Since the Hi-Matic 9 is basically an improved Hi-Matic 7 series, will the majority of non-model specific parts (i.e. the film rewind key and screw) work interchangeably? I'm asking since I, on a whim, won a bid for a Hi-Matic 7s (shutter is broekn) off ebay for cheap ($12.00 w/shipping).

I'd really love to be able to get home (I'm in Iraq and due home in a couple weeks) and do the necessary repairs so he can open it up as his first Christmas present and go nuts taking pics of the family (everyone is coming in from out of town).

Thanks in advance! And again, apologies if I'm in the wrong place.

-scott

 

[eli griggs]

You're in the right place, though there is at least one forum elsewhere dedicated to manual Minolta cameras, including repairs, http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Minolta-Manual-Focus/
and another dedicated to selling and trading,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MinMan-SWAPMEET.

I can't say for sure the part camera you've bought will be an exact fit but it should be good enough until you find what you need. Of course you may just decide to fix your ebay buy for yourself and hunt around for parts for the Hi9.

Post in the "wanted" sections here, there and at www.Apug.org for the parts you need and you'll likely find them from someone who'll jump at the chance to help out, they're all great people, so long as you stay away from their rhubarbs. 😉

I have the Hi-Matic 9 and I understand why your dad loves it so, it's a great camera.

Stay safe and post often,

Eli

 

[FallisPhoto]

My question, and hopefully someone can offer some insight or get me in touch with the right people, is this:

Since the Hi-Matic 9 is basically an improved Hi-Matic 7 series, will the majority of non-model specific parts (i.e. the film rewind key and screw) work interchangeably? I'm asking since I, on a whim, won a bid for a Hi-Matic 7s (shutter is broekn) off ebay for cheap ($12.00 w/shipping).

I'd really love to be able to get home (I'm in Iraq and due home in a couple weeks) and do the necessary repairs so he can open it up as his first Christmas present and go nuts taking pics of the family (everyone is coming in from out of town).

Thanks in advance! And again, apologies if I'm in the wrong place.

-scott

The 7S and the 9 are pretty much identical, except the 9 has a very slightly better lens. There really isn't a significant difference between them, other than the lens and the number stamped into the metal top cap. I don't think you are going to have a problem.