Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder camera with original case
Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder camera with original case
Note: This Minolta Hi-Matic 9 is in excellent aesthetic and functional condition (we film-tested it), however, the lens' closest focus is about 4 feet (the framing for a head-and-shoulders portrait) rather than 3 feet specified in the manual. We suspect the original owner may have modified it, with right-brain creative photography in mind, to prevent bad shots, as this camera--like all rangefinders--suffers from parallax framing error when shooting up very close.
The Minolta Hi-matic 9 is company's top-of-line 1960s fixed lens rangefinder. It's a truly fantastic camera with both a superb 45mm f1.7 lens and a host of advanced features including: excellent metering; a (way ahead of its time) programmed auto-exposure mode; an "easy flash" feature that will vary the aperture based on subject distance; and a bright and easy-to-focus rangefinder.
This camera was a pleasure to use and we were very happy with all of the photos it took. In our opinion, it's a very underrated 35mm rangerfinder. It's a real stretch to find anything to complain about with such a well-designed unit but it should be noted that it isn't the smallest camera or lightest camera (see specs below).
This camera requires a 675 zinc-air battery for its light meter (optional) but may be used without a battery in manual mode.
Condition notes
The camera is superb condition (see photos) the original owner babied it and always kept it in its case. It was tested with film and delivered sharp, well-exposed images. We set the film plane focus accuracy on an autocollimator and verified that it agreed with the rangefinder. The original ever-ready case is included.
Example photos
Here are some pictures that other people have taken with this model of camera:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/minoltahi-matic9/pool/
https://www.lomography.com/cameras/3331976-minolta-hi-matic-9/photos
Manual
https://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_hi-matic_9.pdf
Specifications
- Lens: Rokkor PF 45mm F/1.7
- Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
- Angle of View: 52°
- Diaphragm: Click stops at each engraved aperture scale: f/1.7, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16 (on manual operation)
- Filter Mount: 55mm, screw-in
- Lens Shade Mount: 57mm, slip-on
- Shutter: SEIKO-FLA fully automatic programmed shutter with manual control and "easy flash"system.
- Automatic Operation ; Manual Operation : EV 5.5 (f/1.7 at 1/15 sec.) to EV 17 (f/22 at 1/250 sec.) B, 1,1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 sec. in engraved click stops.
- Synchro Contact: X contact (M class bulb synchronizes at 1/30 sec., electronic flash at all speeds)
- Self-Timer: About 10 seconds delay on manual control.
- Film Winding:
- Lever type, quick wind automatically cocks, advances film and film counter and prevents double exposure.
- Winding Method: Single full stroke or multiple short strokes.
- Winding Distance: 220°
- Film Counter: Automatic resetting counter shows number of frames exposed
- Film Rewinding: Rapid rewind crank
- Frame Size: 36x24mm
- Film: Standard 35mm film
- Finder: Tinted bright frame viewfinder with automatic parallax correction.
- Meter Needle: Needle in the viewfinder shows the proper EV number, over/under exposure warning, correct flash exposure signal and battery condition.
- Focusing: Direct helicoid focusing coupled to super-imposed rangefinder
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 3 ft.(0.9m)
- "Easy Flash" System: Aperture is automatically controlled by setting number on lens.
- Guide Number Setting: Underside of the lens barrel, (ft) 32-260, (m) 10-80
- Warning Signal: Warning signal for over/under flash exposure is visible in the
- finder.
- Exposure Meter: Built in CLC (Contrast Light Compensator) exposure meter in the lens barrel coupled to programmed shutter, automatically compensates for filters or lens attachments.
- Film Speed Range: ASA 25-800, DIN 15-30
- Working Range: EV 5.5 (f/1.7 at 1/15 sec,) to EV 17(f/22 at 1/250) with any film.
- Battery Checker: Checker is visible in the finder.
- Battery: Mallory RM-625 or equivalent.
- Other Features :SLS (Safety Loading Signal) shows proper film load and transport. Easy loading with specially designed multiple-slot take-up spool. Cordless and cord flash contact.
- Size: Height : 3-l/4/z(82mm)- Width: 5-1/2"( 140mm); Front to back including lens-2-7/8*( 74mm)
- Weight: 27.4 oz. (760g)