Minolta Hi-Matic 7

In 1963 the Minolta HI-MATIC 7 succeeded the original Minolta Hi-Matic 35mm rangefinder camera. It had new features, especially a CdS meter placed above the lens optics within the filter ring, a manual shutter speed selection mode, and the exposure meter's actual EV-value displayed in the viewfinder. Like the original Hi-Matic its viewfinder was a rangefinder with mechanical parallax correction, and it had a self-timer. With this camera Minolta made the "Hi-Matic" camera series their main series of range- and viewfinder cameras. Every Hi-Matic had auto-exposure, and increasing support for flash use.

The Hi-Matic 7s and Hi-Matic 9 followed in 1966, and were slightly improved versions of the 7. The 7s added a hot shoe and Safe Load System (SLS) indicator to show that film was being transported properly. The range finder windows changed from a contrasting 'pink and green' tint to 'yellow and blue'. The carrying strap lugs were moved up to the side and given a more rounded shape. The end of the lens barrel is black rather than the brushed aluminium of the 7. The 9 was the same as the 7s with the addition of a slightly faster f/1.7 lens, and an easy flash system, where the flash guide number was dialled into the lens, and the aperture was set automatically, according to the focus distance.

Type: rangefinder camera
Manufaturer: Minolta
Year of release: 1963
Films: 35mm films with speeds 25 to 800 ASA
Lens: 6 lenses 1:1,8 f=45mm Rokkor
Metering: CdS meter, EV 5.7 - EV 17
Weight:　770 g
Dimensions: 140×82×73mm