Minolta Hi-Matic 7s
Released in 1966 The Minolta Hi-Matic 7s was an update of the 1963 released Hi-Matic 7. Don't be fooled this is a big camera. Photos make it look like it could be part of the compact rangefinder club. Sorry Minolta 7s, you are not in the club. The 7s is bigger and almost as heavy as a Lieca M3.
That size comes with some benefit. This is an easy camera to load and adjust even for fat fingered old guys. The Hi-Matic 7s offers both full Auto and full manual for aperture and shutter speed. I used it primarily in Auto with good results. An EV scale is displayed in the viewfinder 5.7 to 17.
The Hi-Matic 7s has a film advance to match the large size. to advance the film requires you have to push the advance lever more than 180 degrees past the front of the camera. That long advance was a problem at the end of the roll. I pushed it to the front as before only to have it break the film free from the canister. Some fumbling in a dark, windowless room saved most of the film.
My Take:
Nice images and simple to use. My problem with breaking the film would be solved by watching the image counter. The EV scale could be useful to a better photographer but did not influence my use in automatic mode. Mine is even black. I'd say the only thing that would stop me from using the Hi-Matic 7s more is the size. This is a full size rangefinder. The only time I would pick it over a M mount would be if I just wanted to go full automatic and not worry about anything but focus.
Lens: Fixed Minolta Rokkor PF 45mm f1.8
Film: Kodak Porta 400
