Pocket camera - Minolta Hi-Matic CS

I always bring a camera with me, even if I don't plan on taking photos. Who knows, maybe I'll come across the perfect shot and I wouldn't want to miss it.

The Minolta Hi-Matic CS can definitely be described as pocketable camera. It's small, lightweight, and easy to carry anywhere. I used to take it with me on business trips and it even accompanied me on my daily commute for a long time. It's perfect for capturing candid moments in an urban setting - simply set the focus and capture the decisive moment. There's no need for any extra fuss. It just fulfills the purpose.

I purchased this camera for just 6 EUR plus shipping. It had a broken front glass and a small dent just below the rear left corner. Other than those issues, the camera looked brand new. Despite a slightly misaligned rangefinder, it appeared to function properly. 

Luckily, I was able to locate a damaged Minolta F camera that happened to be the same model. With the replacement front viewfinder glass, I was able to fix the broken glass and address the small dent, which is now almost invisible. In addition, I cleaned the viewfinder and calibrated the rangefinder for optimal performance.

Setting the focus on this camera is a breeze, as the rangefinder patch is clearly visible in the viewfinder. Additionally, the framelines are easy to see as well. While there is no parallax correction, there are marks on the framelines that help with closer focusing - this is typical for cameras from its era. There also is no indication of the exposure.  

Initially, the Minolta Hi-Matic CS/F cameras were powered by 2 PX13 cells, which are now discontinued. However, unlike the Yashica Electro 35, the Hi-Matic requires exactly 1.35V cells, and it's not possible to correct voltage differences by adjusting the film sensitivity ring on the lens. Changes to supply voltages are not linearly proportional to the exposure being produced.

Finding a suitable replacement battery for the Hi-Matic has been a love-hate experience for me. While neither CR 1/3N, PX625, nor LR44 batteries provide a consistent voltage throughout their lifecycle, SR44 batteries generate a higher voltage than LR44 but are not much help. I even tried Mallory batteries from Russia, which were available on eBay, but they discharged in the middle of a film. Although WeinCell or hearing aid batteries would work, they have a very short life expectancy, and I didn't want to replace them every few weeks.

After extensive research, I found a solution that worked for me. There is an interesting paper on the internet The mercury cell problem and it s solutions. A Schottky diode can transform the voltage of SR44 cells to around 1.35V, and there are adapters available that already include the Schottky diode and SR44 batteries. For the Minolta Hi-Matic CS/F, two of these adapters are required. While this solution is not perfect and the Schottky diode doesn't generate enough power for the battery test, it is sufficient for the proper operation of the camera, as confirmed by my tests. It's a practical compromise that allowed me to achieve usable negatives. With LR44 batteries, the camera tended to underexpose photos even when I tried to correct the ISO by two stops. With the Schottky diodes, I still have to compensate for the ISO by 2/3 EV.

The Minolta Hi-Matic CS comes with a built-in Rokkor 2.7 38mm lens that produces sharp results. In fact, I believe that the most compact rangefinders of that era typically have lenses that deliver excellent sharpness. But don't just take my word for it, take a look at the photos and judge for yourself.

While I do like the camera, I must admit that I have had mixed feelings about it. There were times when I set it aside for months due to difficulties finding replacement batteries and my initial failures in that regard. However, I always came back to it. The Schottky diodes improved the exposure problem, but it's still not the perfect solution. At high contrast situations, the camera may still expose unpredictably. But that is not a probelm that coudln't be corrected in the darkroom.







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