MINOLTA HI-MATIC G1974

Seria Nr.9103155
Minolta Code Number 0456

Characteristics and functions
The Minolta Hi-Matic G, introduced in 1974, is the simplified version of theprevious HI-Matic E and Hi-Matic F. There are very few details that distinguish it
aesthetically from the Hi-Matic F. This camera has a Copal B programmed
shutter. Mat EV 8 (1/30" with f.2.8) to EV 17 (1/650" with f.4.3) with 100 Asa
films, for fully automatic exposure. The film sensitivity allowed ranges from 25
Asa (15 Din) to 400 Asa (27 Din). The lens is a Rokkor 38mm. f.2.8 with 4lenses in 3 groups. The camera has a classic appearance with a central part inblack faux leather, upper casing and lower caseback in satin aluminum. On theupper side we find the foldable crank for the recovery of the film which also acts
as a release for the opening of the back, if pulled as far as it will go. Continuing
to the right you will find the hot shoe-flash, then the satin metal charging leverwith a black plastic end part, which has a completely folded rest position and apre-stroke position of about 30°. In the forward position there is the shutter
button, chromed with a black plastic frame that surrounds it; the thread for theuse of the flexible release (Cable Release II) is placed inside. At the far right,
contiguous to the loading lever, is the window of the frame counter, additive,
with automatic reset when the back is opened. The upper cap has a blackplastic eyepiece window in its rear part. The rear side is entirely occupied by theback covered in black faux leather where, in a special space, the serial numberis engraved. The satin front of the top shell contains the viewfinder window set
in a black plastic frame, on the left; in the immediate vicinity there is the frosted
window which serves to illuminate the part of the bright frame, visible in theviewfinder, where the time and aperture set automatically by the camera
appear. Continuing further to the right we find the black writing “Minolta” and“Hi-Matic G” on two lines. In the viewfinder appears the bright frame withparallax indications in close-up shots and along the right side, the speed scale(650 - 250 - 125 - 60 - 30), the aperture scale (14 - 8 - 5.6 - 4 - 2.8 ) and two red
areas that indicate over and under exposure; in this field the galvanometer
needle is visible. The camera does not have a rangefinder so the focus can only
be set by estimation. At the front is the lens mount, oversized enough to containthe sensitivity scale (25, 32, 40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 320, 400) visible
in the lower window, where the values are shown in red on a black background.
Around the objective lens is the black striped plastic ring which serves, byrotating it, to set the correct sensitivity. The CdS cell is placed in the circular
window above the objective lens. Around, on a black field, are engraved inwhite "Rokkor 1: 2.8 f = 38mm" and "Minolta Camera Co., Ltd." and in red“ASA”, next to the sensitivity window. The chromed ring nut is threaded for theuse of 46mm Minolta filters. in diameter. On the chrome crown, a black line is
the reference for the 4 focus symbols (portrait, half-length, groups, mounts) andthe "Auto" position referring to the exposure, where "Auto" and the "groups"
symbol are red. The minimum shooting distance is 1mt. (3.3 feet); the distanceof the "groups" is 3mt. (10 feet) and is suitable for always having everything infocus from the minimum distance up to 10 meters, taking advantage of thehyperfocal of the lens. The distances in feet and meters (3.3 - infinity) and (1 infinity) are shown at the bottom left on the black focus ring. The black ring withthe "Auto" position has on the left the Guide Numbers scale (10-40 for metersand 32-130 for feet) for using the flash. The flash sync is 1/125". The socket for
the flash cable is located on the left side of the shell. Two chromed rings placedalong the front edges are the shoulder strap attachment system.
On the underside we find the circular battery compartment cover (1 PX 675
1.35v), the thread for use with the stand and the clutch release button forrecovering the film.
Weight 355g. battery excluded. Length 116mm. Height 71mm. Depth 53mm.