Minolta Hi-Matic F

[SandyG]

Got hooked on some of the older and inexpensive Minolta Hi-Matic cameras. But need some help in operation, I looked in the manual but not sure it clear (or to me).

If I have a flash on the camera and it's off, will it have any effect on the exposure?

I have one of the cameras that came with some extras, one thing it had was a hot shoe cover. In watching though the back with the film door open and looking at various light sources, it seems with the hot shoe plastic cover on or off it seems to make a difference (aperture size) but it's pretty informal test . The cover for the hot show is just a piece of plastic.

On the 'E' model I can see a pin that gets triggered on the hot shoe, on the 'F' I don't see anything, but doesn't mean it's not there.

Thanks!!

Sandy

 

[JeffS7444]

If I have a flash on the camera and it's off, will it have any effect on the exposure?

Yes, this camera also has a lever concealed in the hot shoe, and when it's depressed, shutter speed is fixed at 1/20th sec, and a lightning bolt symbol should appear on the righthand margin of the viewfinder. You'll want to set the aperture manually as per page 19 of the manual.

I don't know if a hot shoe cover was originally supplied with the camera, but if it presses down on the lever when you aren't actually using a flash, that could be a problem.

 

[SandyG]

Thanks!

I looked at the edges of the hot shoe and can see a small lever on the side. Taking off the flash and putting it on also activates the lightning bolt in the view finder so starting to figure that I have wasted a couple of rolls of film (still being processed) with the little plastic piece on. I think that plastic hot shoe cover may have came with a Hi-Matic 'G' but not sure.

Loading a new roll and hitting the streets for another test.

By chance do you know what the difference is between the Hi-Matic F and FP is? I have a semi non-working FP that has a problem killing batteries, getting ready to take it apart to see if anything I can fix.

Again thanks for the help!

 

[SandyG]

Out and about I just noticed that the range finder focus is off at infinity, seems to be somewhat common. Adding that to the list of learn and fix. Nice little camera besides the issues (some my fault).

 

[JeffS7444]

By chance do you know what the difference is between the Hi-Matic F and FP is? I have a semi non-working FP that has a problem killing batteries, getting ready to take it apart to see if anything I can fix.

IIRC, it's the same thing, but with black finish and a self-timer on the side of the lens barrel. Nice catch, as these cameras are pretty scarce in black. Internal corrosion can be a real pain with these cameras, as the stock batteries were kind of large (and full of electrolyte), and the camera's owners weren't always dilligent about removing them.

 

[SandyG]

IIRC, it's the same thing, but with black finish and a self-timer on the side of the lens barrel. Nice catch, as these cameras are pretty scarce in black. Internal corrosion can be a real pain with these cameras, as the stock batteries were kind of large (and full of electrolyte), and the camera's owners weren't always dilligent about removing them.

I think with the FP it looks clean but I'm guessing some battery goo got in causing some resistance across the battery terminals or upwards in the switch or something. All speculation, but I liked it as it was in perfect shape, except for the kills battery in a couple of hours. Picked up a working 'F' and compared current draw and the working one has none, the FP draws 3ma all the time. Then got the bug, got one from Japan, but was in such bad shape vs. as described they just refunded me. So have some to experiment with, 1 out of 3 I guess is pretty good for these cameras it seems.

Reading the assembly manual to see how to adjust the infinity focus, seems easy of you can get to the screws without taking the camera apart. Will see how it all goes. Oddly I have 3 'E', one Black, and only after some messing with one was I able to get it working. So getting some, well very little practice in cracking these open, but I keep telling myself, that's the fun of it 🙂

 

[JeffS7444]

I think with the FP it looks clean but I'm guessing some battery goo got in causing some resistance across the battery terminals or upwards in the switch or something. All speculation, but I liked it as it was in perfect shape, except for the kills battery in a couple of hours. Picked up a working 'F' and compared current draw and the working one has none, the FP draws 3ma all the time. Then got the bug, got one from Japan, but was in such bad shape vs. as described they just refunded me. So have some to experiment with, 1 out of 3 I guess is pretty good for these cameras it seems.

Reading the assembly manual to see how to adjust the infinity focus, seems easy of you can get to the screws without taking the camera apart. Will see how it all goes. Oddly I have 3 'E', one Black, and only after some messing with one was I able to get it working. So getting some, well very little practice in cracking these open, but I keep telling myself, that's the fun of it 🙂

Sounds like you're familiar with multi-F ownership! I've had at least 4 of the things. I'd buy them in as-is condition, using the worst of the bunch as a parts unit. Managed to get 3 working units, and have a pile of leftover parts, but the main/test switch is not one of them: One of the cameras had battery leakage that reached the switch, and by the time I got to it, there was not enough of the original part left for me to salvage.

But once freshened up, these are great little cameras! I love the size, the mini-Leica looks, the way the frame lines and rangefinder spot really "pop". And diffraction from the diamond-shaped diaphragm adds "sparkle" to bright highlights.

 

[SandyG]

Sounds like you're familiar with multi-F ownership! I've had at least 4 of the things. I'd buy them in as-is condition, using the worst of the bunch as a parts unit. Managed to get 3 working units, and have a pile of leftover parts, but the main/test switch is not one of them: One of the cameras had battery leakage that reached the switch, and by the time I got to it, there was not enough of the original part left for me to salvage.

But once freshened up, these are great little cameras! I love the size, the mini-Leica looks, the way the frame lines and rangefinder spot really "pop". And diffraction from the diamond-shaped diaphragm adds "sparkle" to bright highlights.

I'm new to it all, but really liked the 'F' but seems I got a couple of duds. The high battery draw is an odd one after looking at the how it all works in the repair manual, and another fellows site that has a schematic. I just also recently got a premium black 'F' from japan by accident, but figured, OK if it's as good as they say I'll keep it. Ended up having the wider getting stuck, missing parts, etc. Was in Excellent+++++ condition (one step away from Mint LOL). Contacted the seller and he seemed embarrassed, immediately sent a full refund. Whew, got lucky.

My humble goal was to get an E, F and G working. I got 2 G's worked perfect (sent it to my son who loves it and carries it everywhere), 1 out of 3 F worked, 1 out of 3 (soon to be 1 out of 4) E's. Most were clean, not beat, no corrosion cameras. So like they say when paying Black Jack and you get a 10 ... Double Down! (I'm not a Black Jack player so I only think that's how it works)

So the pile of broken (maybe fixable) cameras is going. I will have a bunch of parts from some of these if you need anything holler!

It does make me feel better about cracking them open and trying to fix the bad ones now I have so many 🙂

Sandy