Turns out I was right the first time (see below), and on top of that the 640 replacements aren’t the best choice either (see below below). At one point the whole thing locked up and I had to take the film completely out, reset the wind lever and reload the film. So of course I immediately shot a roll of Plus-X, half at ASA50 and half at ASA100 to check the auto metering.
THEN, After letting it sit for a week or more till I got around to looking at it again, it sprang to life! I had left the batteries in the whole time. But I think they’re followupAt first, two new 640KA batteries (current replacements for the PX640 mercury) did not get this camera working, so I suspected corroded wiring and temporarily set it aside. I’ve also seen a black version (like the black Konica C35) that looks pretty kewl. A black plate covers this part of the back, which says ‘Manufactured exclusively for S.S. The only difference is the lack of SLS film alignment system (who knows how useful it actually is anyway) and no Auto-Manual flash setting switch. I acquired another Hi-Matic E at the local Goodwill for even less than the first one, it’s actually a Hi-Matic ES which is a version made exclusively to be sold at K-Mart stores.
MINOLTA CAMERA SERIES
The AF series is just like the Konica C35 AF series (they even look the same – black, ugly). Avoid the G if you’re looking for a true rangefinder – it’s strictly zone focus with viewfinder, like a basic point & shoot. I know I didn’t really think of it, I don’t really think of Minolta as a must-have camera (blasphemer! a cry from the back) but I have to say, this one is pretty sweet.
MINOLTA CAMERA FULL
Super bargain this one ($14.50US), I’m thinking the Hi-Matic series is full of those oft-overlooked treasures that happens when everyone is set on finding a mint Canonet GIII QL17. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed. This is a fully automatic camera, you set the film speed and focus. The auto-manual switch seems only to be for the flash setting. Fully automatic, with an interesting ‘Easy Flash’ system that apparently adjusts the aperture as you focus, based on a guide number you set with an under-lens lever according to a table on the back of the camera (A,B,C,D, or E depending on the ASA and distance to subject). It’s somewhere between the New QL17 and Konica C35 in size and features. This one is particularly small, light, and cute, with a fast, sharp and beautiful Rokkor 1.7 lens. Here is another example of a compact rangefinder from the 1970s which has very similar features to others we’ve seen such as the Yashica Electro, New Canonet QL17, Konica C35 etc. If you look at any specific type of current camera you’ll see that across several brands they’re practically identical.
0 kommentar(er)
