Minolta Hi Matic 7S II - STELLAR Optics in This "Leica-ish" Compact 35mm Rangefinder Camera

[@marchprach9132]

I love your video very much . It make me know clearly about this camera. From thailand

[@darryld9719]

picked up this camera at a local auction 3 years ago....excellent conditon ready to go with a nice leather case....mine is silver....didnt know anything about film and older cameras....got it home and looked it up and it was running about 250 bucks and had a really great lens.....i was stoked!.....i paid 3 bucks for it!.....yup...3 bucks!....actually it was 2.75.....lol.....now 30 plus cameras later including early box cameras and now a passion of TLR's of which i have over ten!......i am shooting them as much as possible!.....thanks for the info!......

[@32ndFoto]

May i ask what battery are you using for this camera?

[@darryld9719]

The battery didn’t work....I’m not sure what it takes or alternative....I forgot....I can look up later......I shoot sunny 16.....way easier.....especially with the forgiving ilford hp5

[@32ndFoto]

@@darryld9719 Oh socit works with a battery in manual i guess...

[@terryallen9546]

I finally took a look at my 7Sll while listening to you. I bought it a few years ago and tossed it in a box without looking at it. I don't even revall buying it. I now see the light seals in the film box are basically in melted like condition. Guess I have some work to do. Otherwise, it seems mint...even the case. Glad to hear it has good contrast. I'll try to give an update once I get it on the road.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hah, enjoy it. The Minolta HiMatic 7Sll is a special camera with a great lens! Very sharp and contrasty. It truly is a baby Leica.

[@terryallen9546]

I just discovered I also have the Vivitar 35ES, which is the same camera, but with a black body.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

The black paint bodies should be worth some money depending on condition of course.

[@terryallen9546]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I just ordered a lens cap for the 7Sll and batteries for both. Hopefully they work. The Vivitar shutter is a glorious sound. The 7Sll, not so much...might not be working right. This is a great instructional on replacing the light seals on the 7Sll: www.photo.net/discuss/threads/how-to-replace-light-seals-without-using-foam-strips-movie-camera-style.362863/

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Great resource; thanks for posting!

[@Bladi4n]

This camera was actually built by Cosina and rebranded by Minolta. The Revue 400SE, Vivitar 35ES and Konica Auto S3 are actually exactly the same camera by Cosina. All absolutely great tho :)

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

That’s great information. I didn’t know that. Thanks

[@danielnguyen6113]

Same lens too or just the body?

[@recoil49300]

i have the vivitar 35 ES , the same , a bomb . Hi from France , Eric

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Thanks for stopping by! Merci d'être venu !

[@quatrical]

I’ve been looking for this camera for months! Still no luck

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

They come and go on eBay. If you keep an eye out, you will surely see one sooner or later. Always hard to find in the black paint.

[@phoslurperr]

I've seen a lot of reviews saying focusing is tough, especially in poor light. I have also seen complaints about the lens blocking the viewfinder. This version also lost features from the 7s Sounds like you like it pretty well though.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I do like it a lot primarily because of the lens. It's pretty common to have the lens blocking the viewfinder as a result of the smaller body vs the 7S. It's true that focusing in low light isn't great and in any light the numbers in the viewfinder can be hard to see. I sometimes need to look through the viewfinder at different angles to see the display. In practice it's not a big deal. It doesn't slow me down at all.

[@gisellerole3179]

Great video, very informative. Thank you

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Thanks so much. One of my all time favorite cameras.

[@beebot]

If you get a chance to - (if you haven't already) - compare this to a Konica C35FD (or Konica Auto S3). Nicer finder, more contrasty rf patch. Otherwise almost identical but the Hexanon lense is also pretty spectacular.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I’ve actually looked at those because I read they’re known for a nice bright viewfinder and great optics. I’m sure I’ll find the right one sooner or later.

[@Ross-ii3km]

Hi there! love the video! i just picked up film photography and found this camera at a steal of a price ($10!!!). My question is: I see that you mentioned LR44 batteries on this camera. From what I understand this is to power the autoexposure as well as the light meter in the viewfinder. Have you noticed if the light meter works well with the 1.5V batteries, or does it lead to under or overexposure?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hi Ross, THAT is a steal for a great camera! I can't say that I've ever had any over/under-exposure issues on my Minolta with the LR44 batteries, but you can always change your ASA/ISO dial a click or two higher just to be precise (especially if you're having a lab develop your film). I always set my ASA/ISO to "box" speed. Film has such a wide exposure latitude that this minor difference in the meter really won't be an issue with negative film.

[@luc5798]

I beat you: I found mine in a garage sale for 4€... :) And for the battery I use a normal LR44 in it with no problem. It may be wise to check it from time to time, but with a new battery the meter indicates exactly the same thing as my external Voigtlander VCII meter!

[@chengweitsao6443]

Thanks for the great review, got this for my self. Did you have the problem when using the camera strap, the camera will flip easily due to the camera strap hole is too low and forward? This everything is well but the issue quite annoyed me😢

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Great! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. It’s an excellent carry around camera with a phenomenal lens and really good bokeh.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I haven’t had any issues with the camera strap.

[@ET-vq8wi]

Great video Sir!! I was very lucky to get one in black for 30€. Eventhough I knew the shutter wasn't working properly I decided to buy it because the rest of the camera was in very good condition. I was calculating with a repair that cost me 120€ on top. So all in all it cost me 150€. I am curious about the results.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

That’s an awesome deal! In black it’s worth over $300 nowadays. That’s if you can find one.

[@nicolasbernal4573]

fyi had a hard time finding your video because 'hi-matic' didn't bring you up in the results. Awesome video though, thanks!

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Thanks for the info. I’ll check my keywords.

[@jordansinambela3393]

hello! I have this camera also, the silver-black color. I really hope that I can find the full black color. This Minolta Hi Matic 7s II is very hard to find and I agree with you that this lens make a GREAT result! I Subscribed! ❤

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

It’s one of my favorites!

[@lindawilson4634]

Have SII in the mail from Amazon, cost a bit but your video relieved my buyers remorse pangs. So LR/SR 44’s work OK? Neat. On that note, are the more expensive Wein air zincs better, or diff just marginal? Thanks, good show.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Congrats on your purchase. I hope you like it as much as I’ve liked mine for all these years. I’ve only ever used the LR/SR batteries so I wouldn’t know about the zincs. I don’t remember the last time I’ve had to replace the battery (almost two years now) and exposure has always been perfect so I recommend sticking with those.

[@sinisterblister9981]

you can get this camera here in Germany in condition for around 250€

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

That’s close to what I paid about ten years ago. Great deal!

[@nasri]

Excellent video sir. I am currently very torn between this and the Canonet QL17 Giii. Do you happen to have experience with that as well to compare the 2?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hi Nasri, Thanks for visiting my YT channel! I actually had a Canonet QL17 GIII for many years. It took a nasty fall so I sold it for cheap (it still worked fine). You ask a very hard question! I was just looking at some photos taken with the Canonet and the Minolta to form an opinion. They both have 40mm f1.7 lenses with 6 elements in 4 groups. Both lenses are amazingly sharp with nice contrast and BOKEH. The Canonet won't let you take an under/over-exposed photo as it locks the shutter if that were to happen. The Minolta doesn't do that. I think the Minolta may be slightly smaller overall than the Canonet. I personally prefer the Minolta lens for it's warmer tones but I like the Canonet viewfinder and super quick film loading system. Both cameras have great build quality but the Minolta seems to be made from nicer materials. These differences that I point out took me years to identify. You won't see a drastic difference between these cameras in practical use or on first glance. If I'm forced to decide, I'll pick the Minolta for the wonderful lens over the Canonet but just by a fraction! Once again, the Canonet handles a little better and the viewfinder is also a little better than the Minolta. Take a look on my Flickr Channel at some photos I've taken with both for comparison. Canonet QL17 GIII Photos flic.kr/s/aHsju3gNEZ Minolta HiMatic 7SII Photos flic.kr/s/aHsmqAwKXW

[@nasri]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks so much for the honest and detailed answer! I never heard of the difference in colour temp between the 2! That alone makes me feel like owning both! =P In any case. Thanks again! Subscribed!

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

@@nasri Thanks for the sub!

[@jonathanchristian8294]

Hi Sir, I just look some of your photos on Flickr, that was an amazing photos !! I'd like to compare the photos from these two camera. Did you use the same film for those photos from both camera?

[@stumpycatvm7115]

beautiful copy of the 7Sii- ebay dude has some nice ones for sale, trying to wait but the lens blows away my Konica Auto S3, by about a mile, Was there a close focus adapter available? Looking at getting the Rokkor 40mm F2, for my M2- but I would rather have the 7S II. Thanks, the images make a grown man fall to one knee and weep.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hah, thanks. I really enjoy this camera. One of my all time favorites. I never use close up or wide angle adapter on this type of cameras. I like to keep things light and simple when using these small, compact rangefinders. It has a GREAT lens.

[@lindawilson4634]

Read some negatives about the HiMatic SII. Wobbly lens, film advance glitches and general flimsiness as compared to the bigger 7S. Any such issues with that neat little camera of yours? The critics also pinged the VF & RF but you noted that already in video, so evidently no big deal. Whatever, really enthused about getting one of these little gems, negatives not withstanding. Again, good video.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

That’s interesting that I’ve had the 7S2 for so long and never felt the lens wobble. I just picked it up and sure enough it does have a little wobble. So does my canon QL 17 G3 and every other fixed lens rangefinder that I own except for my Olympus 35DC. Definitely not an issue for me. The camera is well made but I don’t think anyone would mistake it for a Leica in terms of build quality. As I’ve mentioned many times the lens is the best feature of this camera.

[@brettkramer]

More or less the exact same camera as the Canonet GIII QL17, which begs the question, who was actually making these cameras, Canon or Minolta? Nice review btw !!

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Every major camera manufacturer had a version of the fixed lens 40mm f1.x compact. The Minolta was smaller and lighter than the Canonet. I have both and can attest to them feeling completely different from each other even though their specs are very similar. They share no parts in common except possibly the leaf shutter? Both companies made exceptional lenses and these two are excellent in different ways. Check out my comparison video to see more n

[@brettkramer]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks, great review. My Canonet GIII was passed down to my by my Father, (just had it rebuilt), and may pick up the Minolta Hi-Matic 7SII, it's funny the design of the two is nearly identical, the wonky focusing lever, yellow blob focusing and the look of the meter from inside the viewfinder. Agree with you regarding the lenses, my Canon's lens is extremely sharp, still a nice camera to use today, you just need an expensive scanner and computer system to round out the package :)

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

The Canonet viewfinder is larger than the Minolta and is set up differently. The Minolta lens is sharp and really contrasty while the Canonet lens is sharp and “perfect”. Both are great in their own way. Also the Minolta is smaller and lighter.

[@mahardi.k.a]

hey nice video, which one would you recommend between this 7SII and Olympus 35 RD? i have a consideration on buying these cameras. thank you!

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Although I really love my 7SII, I think I would recommend the 35RD. The 7SII’s finder display (f-stops) is very hard to see while the 35RD is pretty clear. There is an issue with fogging on both cameras so if you have the opportunity you should get the viewfinder cleaned. The 7SII’s lens is very sharp and also contrasty. This may not be for everyone but I really love the look of the photos. The 35RD lens is also sharp and more “perfect” in its rendering. Normal contrast, great color etc. The 35RD also has an automatic flash system that sets flash exposure by adjusting f-stop as you focus (when a flash is mounted). All you have to do is set the guide number on the camera. Brilliant! The Minolta doesnt lock the shutter when under/over exposing like most cameras of this genre. Both have AE lock with a half press of the shutter button. Both have unmetered manual modes. The 7SII is very well finished. Probably slightly better than the 35RD although the Oly has good build quality also. The Minolta case lasts forever while the Oly and most other camera cases of the day have fallen apart by now. Good luck!

[@mahardi.k.a]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel this is a very comprehensive explanation thanks. i see both has their own characters in this comparison. well i don't have any experience with both Rokkor or Zuiko lens but i guess they're both sharp for its class, exactly as what i'm looking for. in terms of durability, i read so much about sticky shutter problem or optical defect (flek) for Oly RF is it true? it's kinda rare to find a great condition for Oly RF since they're already a hard to find camera. 7SII and 35 RD are having the same size aren't they?

[@zhesun8271]

Hi, I just got my chrome copy last week from local sunday market, I tried to change the aperture but the blades does not move, does it need battery to operate?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Congrats!@ Yes and no to your question about the battery.It needs a battery for the light meter and to control the aperture blades in auto mode but can work without metering in manual mode (this is true with or without a battery). When I rotate to aperture dial on mine the blades don't move with every click, but when I press the shutter, they fall into place. To check your aperture blades for movement, try pressing the shutter all the way down and rotate the aperture dial. They should move with each click then.

[@suverobo]

Film Photography Channel Hi I just received mine today and it is in excellent visual condition, with case and lens cap But same as ZHE SUN even if I tried many different apertures and speeds no change on aperture The hole is all the time the same When i select B press the shutter and turn aperture ring also nothing move Any idea? :(

[@hanfei6871]

I comment subscribed and liked

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Thanks!

[@josephalmazan4805]

I come across the #yanggang all over the internet.

[@Gabez82]

Very nice walk thru for this little Minolta beauty. I own the very same camera. I also have a perfectly functional Auto 14 Flash w/case and the camera case you mentioned in minty condition too! Came from Sweden! I’ve used Porta 400, and my photos came out AWESOME. Went to beautiful Newport Beach, California and got some great wide shots of boats and yachts. Very nice camera with the Rokkor lens. Minolta made some great cameras back in the day.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

They sure did. This is one of my all time favorites. I've never used it with a flash though. I actually ran across the case for it the other day and forgot I even had it!

[@Gabez82]

Film Photography Channel Yes sir, I’m a bit of a Minolta collector. It’s amazing how these cameras are 35+yrs old and hold their value considering. I own an SRT101, and XD11 and a X-700. I love them all like if they were my children, each one unique and special haha.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

@@Gabez82 I haven't tried the SRT-101 as of yet, but it's on the list. I've heard it's a great camera and certainly has a lot of fans. It was a groundbreaking camera for it's time as well being one of the first to offer "full aperture metering" like Nikon did much later with their F-series cameras, TTL and "Contrast Light Compensator" or CLC which averages the readings from two cds cells (one top, one bottom) but assumes that if the top of the frame is significantly brighter than the bottom, it would average the reading weighted for the shadows. Brilliant especially for the time.

[@tutajstudio3555]

Minolta or Olympus35 DC, which one has better lens ?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Wow, tough question. The Olympus 35 DC has a fast, sharp and perfect lens that takes really nice photos. Ditto for the Minolta but I think the lens has a little more personality because of it's contrasty nature. The build quality is slightly better on the Minolta (just slightly) but the viewfinder is a little easier to read on the Olympus. The Oly won't let you take an over or under exposed photo where the Minolta doesn't have these "safeguards" built in.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Funny, I was actually working on a review of the Olympus 35DC.

[@tutajstudio3555]

tnaks :) so i wii look forward to it!

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hi Tutaj, I just posted the Olympus 35DC review!

[@Irontalyn]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel have you tried the original 7 or 7s? I'm curious how the lenses compare

[@amosmgz]

I'm curious about the settings you had the camera on in your flickr photos. Did you have any filter on the camera or was it just the bare lens? I have a 49mm Hoya UV (polarizing?) lens with my 7s II, but I'm sort of confused about what conditions I would use it. Any idea? Thank you for this great video.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hi Amos, My Flickr photos are taken mostly with film cameras. I don't use filters very often. Some of my cameras have UV filters for lens protection (always B+W brand) and I use yellow filters for black and white and polarizing filters once in a while. If you twist the polarizing filter it will take away the reflection in water or glass. With a rangefinder camera, just look through the filter itself and make a mark when you’ve reach the desired effect (a little tricky). As you twist you’ll see the reflection go away! The look of my photos comes from the different types of film that I use. I always make a note in the keywords naming the film. Thanks for stopping by!

[@amosmgz]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks. I'm super new to film cameras, and I own a Hi-Matic 7s II; so I'm trying to figure out the best way to shoot with it. I shot a whole 400 ISO roll with the UV lens on on an overcast day, and I don't know how the pictures are going to turn out. Do you think the pictures will turn out underexposed?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

@@amosmgz Exposure won't be affected at all since UV filters don't reduce the light entering into your lens to a significant degree. The UV filter does reduce Ultraviolet Light which minimizes the appearance of haze especially in far away objects like landscape photos and more so when using telephoto lenses. UV filters are relevant for film photography more so than digital but keep in mind that the extra layer of glass can degrade your image like shooting at night with bright light sources. Also a UV filter is good just to protect your front lens element which is why most people still use them. Older cameras have soft lens coatings and it's good to have an extra layer of protection just to protect the lens from too much wiping and accumulation of dust, debris etc.

[@amosmgz]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thank you for the information! One last question. You said in the video that you mostly leave the camera on 1/500 shutter speed on a sunny day unless you're looking for a specific aperture. Is that on auto or manual?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

@@amosmgz Definitely on auto since the meter doesn't work in manual mode. You may want to buy an ND filter to allow you to use the lens at f1.7 in on a bright day so you can have a beautiful out of focus background. 2 stop ND should be good.

[@soulfleur6167]

Hey ive been watching videos for 7s and 7sii, i have hard decisions to make, what's your advice for me? Should i go with 7s or 7sii?? Thanks

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I like the 7SII out of the Minolta 7 rangefinder cameras. The 7S is a larger and heavier camera at 720g vs the 7SII that’s weighs less and is smaller overall. Of course the 7SII costs about 8 times more but should appreciate over time like mine did. I paid $120 for my black paint model 6 or 7 years ago and it’s worth about $400 (if you can find one) today.

[@soulfleur6167]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel omg thanks for your advice!! Now I'm confident enough to buy one and play with it!! Hopefully the camera goes well because the seller told me that they never used that camera since they bought it so finger crossed!

[@suverobo]

Which one would you preffer? Minolta or Canonet QL13?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I prefer the photos from the Minolta since the have that special contrasty look but the QL17 has better features and handling. It also has a perfect lens which is actually a hair sharper than the Minolta but sharpness isn’t everything. Also you wouldn’t notice the difference in sharpness between the two with out zooming in closely in Ps or Lr.

[@suverobo]

Silver one is on the way :) I cannot wait for it! I was firs thinking about canonet ql17 But I took your advice and decided for minolta (And it was cheaper :D )

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Great choice. I’m surprised to hear that the Minolta was cheaper. Last time I checked their prices were more than the Canon. Anyway I hope you enjoy your Minolta as much as I’ve enjoyed mine over the years.

[@lindawilson4634]

Re: wobble. Evidently no impact on performance, that main thing. How do SII and C17 compare? Is there a winner? Thanks.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

I made a video comparing them to each other plus the Olympus 35DC and Yashica Electro 35 vs a Leica M6. Spoiler Alert: I chose the *******. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJS0hY2corB8ftU

[@seanhsiung307]

do you have the specific details on how to zone focus with this particular camera, given that there's no linings on the lens like leica lenses

[@TheGreatSoH]

did u ever figure out?

[@W2Abood]

I have it

[@ashersmarvelmcocexamplesof450]

Can I make a suggestion? When you are talking, you also look up - I guess that's where the monitor is. But it's disconcerting to us viewers, because you're not looking at us (the lens) when you're talking. Maybe move your monitor much closer to the lens? But it would be a great improvement, and our viewer experience would be better. If you have a look at other Content Makers , they all look directly at the lens, and it feels that we're being spoken to directly. I hope you consider this.

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Noted. I had someone else make a similar comment. I actually bought an articulating arm to lower the position of the monitor. I'm trying to get better day by day!

[@towander1978]

What size lens cap. ? Original

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

It’s a 49mm

[@towander1978]

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I went for a walk in the forest. I don't know when the lens cover has disappeared. And can't remember the size under the lens cap Thanks for the answer

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

You’re welcome!

[@dennislam8102]

how much you get this lovely camera?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

Hi Dennis, I bought it quite a while ago so I don't remember what I paid. Today, they sell from $150-$400! That's a lot more than I paid for sure.

[@josephalmazan4805]

Hey I bought some lr44 batteries and only one fits do I have a different model and it requires a different battery?

[@FilmPhotographyChannel]

My apologies. The camera takes one LR44, not two. Thanks for pointing that out. I've made a note in the description.