Post by jack on Dec 7, 2012 19:33:41 GMT -5
Yea!! Finally picked up a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s for $10 + shipping. I was a little hesitant because the seller put up some hazy and out of focus pictures of the camera and their description was that the camera was very clean (as sellers always do). I think the bad pictures scared any other bidders away.
Just got it the other day and sure enough the camera is clean, probably that way because the shutter was stuck and someone stored it away. I was getting ready to look into the shutter problem and decided to cycle the film wind and shutter release, after about the 20th time I could just see the shutter blades barely moving. After about 50 to 60 cycles, the shutter was working consistently at all speeds. Next I installed a battery to check the meter and automatic exposure operation and I'm happy to say it was working. With the camera back open I could see the aperture opening automatically varying in size depending if I was pointing the camera at a ceiling lamp or into a darkened corner of the room. I understand these cameras have a pretty sharp lens, so will just have to shoot a roll of film to really check it.
Just got it the other day and sure enough the camera is clean, probably that way because the shutter was stuck and someone stored it away. I was getting ready to look into the shutter problem and decided to cycle the film wind and shutter release, after about the 20th time I could just see the shutter blades barely moving. After about 50 to 60 cycles, the shutter was working consistently at all speeds. Next I installed a battery to check the meter and automatic exposure operation and I'm happy to say it was working. With the camera back open I could see the aperture opening automatically varying in size depending if I was pointing the camera at a ceiling lamp or into a darkened corner of the room. I understand these cameras have a pretty sharp lens, so will just have to shoot a roll of film to really check it.
