My first RF photos were delivered yetterday

[BAPIEMAI]

I had a Minolta Hi Matic 7 which I used last weekend with slide film. I received the film yesterday and scanned it with a Minolta Dual IV. I am amazed I haven't seen such sharp slides even from my 28-70 f2,8. I had read here that Minolta rangefinders had decent lens but this is way above my expectations.

Imagine what I will see when I get my Leica, can't wait now.

 

[rover]

I remember that day, looking at the first shots from my cheap little "new" camera. It is amazing that fixed lens rangefinders gave way to el-cheapo P&S cameras with icky plastic lenses. Somebody didn't think that one out.

 

[taffer]

In my experience, the lens of the Hi-matic 7s is very sharp, the one on the 9 is said to be even a bit sharper.

Excellent cameras that can be had pretty cheap, they do a great job if you don't mind their big size compared to the later compact RFs.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Hi-Matics have very sharp lenses. The biggest improvement of the HM-9 was the guide-number based follow-focus "easy Flash" system. The lens is 1st class.

The full-sized rangefinder cameras are the best buy out there for classic cameras; usually about 1/3 the price of the compacts that replaced them.

 

[ray_g]

Off brand versions are also great bargains. I have a Vivitar 35ES, which is said to have the same lens as the Hi-Matic 7sII. Extremely sharp and contrasty lens. Usually sells for a song, compared to the Minolta version (or the Konica Auto S3 - all three are rumored to have the same lens, can't verify that).

 

[Doug]

I recall that feeling too just last year, when I got the first film back from my Dad's old Petri 7s... Hey, that's a pretty good lens!