The Hi-Matic 7s and Hi-Matic 9 followed the H-Matic 7 in 1966, and were improved versions of the 7. Briefly, the cameras were rangefinder focusing, with automatic exposure, plus manual control guided by a viewfinder meter pointer that registered against an EV scale.
The 7s came with the Contrast Light Compensator (CLC) metering system, but how it works in Hi-Matic cameras is unclear. The 7s also added a hot shoe and Safe Load System (SLS) indicator to show that film was loaded and being transported properly. Additional differences between the 7 and 7s included rangefinder windows changing from a contrasting 'pink and green' tint to 'yellow and blue'; the carrying strap lugs moving up to the side and given a more rounded shape; and the end of the lens barrel being black rather than the brushed aluminium of the 7. The 7s also came in a black version.
Produced 1966 Minolta Camera Co., Japan
Film type 135 (35mm)
Picture size 24mm x 36mm
Weight 25.6oz (725.8g)
Lens Rokkor 45mm 1:1.8-22 (6 elements in 5 groups)
Filter size 55mm screw-in, 57mm slip-on
Focal range 3ā² to infinity
Shutter Seiko-LA
Shutter speeds B, 1/4-1/500 manual or automatic
Viewfinder rangefinder w/ coupled parallax correction
Exposure meter lens mounted CdS CLC with viewfinder needle (EV)
EV range 5.7 to 17 @ ASA 100
ASA 25-800
Battery originally PX625 1.35v mercury
Hotshoe, PC sync (syncs at all speeds on X setting)
SLS film loading system (electronic alignment)
Self-timer