Minolta Hi-Matic 7s Rangefinder Camera
A great example of a full-size very solid vintage rangefinder camera - not for those who favor smaller or compact sized cameras - when you're holding this one, you know you have a camera in your hands. But I personally like that! I took a chance on this one on ebay through an 'as-is' listing, and lucked out - after a light cleaning, I found myself with a near mint rangefinder with everything working perfectly. The 45mm f1.8 Rokkor-PF lens is fast and very sharp!
NEW--Check out photos of the 7s in ALL BLACK!
LIKES: very, very, very solid feel in the hands - you don't forget you're holding a camera when you bring this one along; shutter speed and aperture rings are together on the lens and can be turned simultaneously; ASA up to 800
DISLIKES: narrow shutter speed and aperture rings are a little hard to turn, especially with big hands like mine (although I'd rather have it this way then too loose); focus ring is not quite as convenient as it could be (more awkward than the Canonet QL17 G-III for example); mercury batteries no long available (but that's true of almost all cameras this age, and you can use the Wein Cell substitute battery).
Above: top view of camera
Above: Garden gate at Spencer Pond Camps. Photographed with a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s, using sunny 16 rules for exposure.
View gallery of sample photos taken with the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s camera
Download the manual, 5.6MB PDF
I will post full specs soon.