MINOLTA HI-MATIC 7s
1966

Serial No.976347
Characteristics and functions
The Minolta Hi-Matic 7s is presented in August 1966. This camera is equippedwith a new electronically programmed Seiko-LA (317-LA IV) shutter with manualcontrol for exposures with times between 1/500"and ¼". Setting “B” is alsoprovided. The shutter works from EV 3.7 to EV 18 (from 1.8 and 1/15" to 22 and1/500"). The M synchronization with bulb flash is 1/30”; X sync with electronic
flashes, all the time. The mechanical self-timer has a delay of 10 seconds. Thecamera has a traditional appearance with chrome-plated caps and a central partin black imitation leather. The lens mount is partly chromed and partly satin
black. On the upper cap there are: the foldable knob for film recovery, the flashshoe with hot contact engraved with the serial number, the wording "HI-MATIC
7s", the shutter button - located inside a circular crown - includes the thread forusing the flexible release (Cable Release). Continuing to the right we find thecharging lever (30° pre-run and 220° for the complete advancement of the film),
entirely in satin-finished metal with a glossy circular part; at the extreme right isthe square window of the additive type counter with automatic zeroing when theback is opened. On the back side of the upper cap they are located: the black
plastic eyepiece window and the rectangular window where the red signal toregulate the film appears, preceded by the word "FILM" and an arrow pointing
to the right. In the viewfinder the luminous frame is visible with the telemetricsystem in the center, while to the right is the scale of the EVs (5.7 - 17) with theneedle of the black exposure meter. The two over-and under-exposure areas
are red. The back covered in black imitation leather occupies the entire
remaining area of the back side of the Hi-Matic 7s. On the back we find: on theleft a large flare covered by the door which facilitates the introduction of the film
spool; the knurled metal cap with central cut that covers the battery
compartment (1 PX 675 or similar), the thread for the use of the stand, theJAPAN engraving and the clutch release button for the recovery of the exposed
film located in a area slightly depressed. On the front of the upper shell there isa rectangular overhang that contains the word "minolta 7s", on two lines and thechrome frame of the window of the rangefinder system and the viewfinder. Thelarge Minolta Rokkor-PF 1:1.8 F = 45mm lens is positioned in the part coveredin black imitation leather. In the part closest to the camera body is the distancescale (on the left from 0.9-infinity, in meters and on the right from 3 to infinity, infeet); a white striped plastic foot improves grip when you rotate the satin ring offocus. Continuing towards the front we find a satin-finished part with the socket
for the flash cable on the left and the lever for activating the mechanical selftimer with a delay of about 10 seconds to the right of the body of the lens (movethe lever to position “V"). In the lower part, the initials of the mounted shutter(SEIKO-LA) are instead printed. Two chromed rings, with the lower part lined,
engraved with the values of the diaphragms (1.8 - 2.8 - 4 - 5.6 - 8 - 11 - 16 - 22)
followed by the A of the automatic exposure function and then by a squarewindow where the EV values (18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and3.7); the second ring bears the values of the shutter speeds (500 - 250 - 125 60 - 30 - 15 - 8 - 4 - B) where the number 30 is red and indicates the time of thesynchro-flash. Also at the bottom of this scale an A appears for the automatic
exposure function. A small chrome-plated lever, located between the secondring and the black satin front (right side of the lens), if pressed, unlocks the ringnuts of the diaphragms and speeds from position A. The black front part isengraved with a white reference arrow of the set values, while in the lower part
there are the Asa and Din scales (25-800 OFF and 30-15) with the selector
positioned in a central rail. Around the first lens there is a black plastic framewith a white engraving for the identification of the lens, followed by a chromedcrown with the CdS cells of the exposure meter and the abbreviation CLC(Contrast Light Compensator). There is also the thread for adapting Minolta
conversion or compensation filters with 55mm diameter. On the sides of thecamera, in symmetrical position, are the two chrome rings for attaching theshoulder strap. On the right side the back the hinge is visible, while on the left is
the cantilever frame with the back release system itself (raise the small
chromed lever).
Weight 720g. battery not included.
Width 140mm.; height 82mm. to the upper shell, 91mm. at the edge of theshutter button; depth 74mm. including the objective.