Minolta Hi-Matic GF
Introduced in 1984 the GF was the end of the long running Hi-Matic line.
The GF is a low end plastic consumer camera. With simple to operated controls that give you a sun, part cloud and all cloud to set the aperture on the f/4 lens. The focus is a zone focus with a head, head and half body, body and mountain for focusing options. the pop up flash is on when up and the only thing run by 2 AA batteries. The winding is a wheel and the whole camera feels of cheap plastic. ISO is limited to 100 or 400. The shutter speed is set to 1/100th. Not sure where all this was sold but evidently it was not offered for sale in the USA.
Thus ends the Hi-Matic blood line of such greats as the Mi-Matic 7, Hi-Matic E and Hi-matic 7sII. Dying with a whimper not a roar.
My Take
This is what it is, a low end consumer camera. That said, it is a good one for what it is. Mine has held up well and still in nice shape. It is simple to use as you would expect. It give you almost no control and what it does give you is guess work. It is as if the GF knows what it is and is unapologetically at peace.
For a serious camera this is a non starter. For a shoot from the hip take it anywhere for a quick shot; sure why not. It was fun and simple with acceptable images. This was a great thrift store find. Think of the GF as a high quality Holga (with a flash!) and you'll be fine. You might even have fun.
Lens: fixed Minolta Lens 38mm f4.0
Film: FujiColor 100
