They found that CLC meter was within 1/2 stop of their test reference, and field tests with transparencies were well exposed despite a variety of light and contrast. In general they noted that it operated similarly to the Hi-Matic 7. Modern Photography evaluated the Hi-Matic 7s in 1967 after its release. Minolta advertising of the time generally plays-down the CLC, or simply does not mention it. It is speculated that this is the nature of the CLC in Hi-Matics. This could favour exposure of the lower area of a view, and therefore passively compensate for anticipated brighter components, such as the sky.
Prior to introduction of these models, Minolta registered a patent for a lens mounted CdS cell to be given an off-the-lens-axis viewpoint, via the use of a cell covering lens, and blinds to narrow the field of view. The Hi-Matic cameras of the 1960s had a single light cell, but nevertheless bore a CLC badge, and the precise nature of the contrast light compensator is unclear. Where there is a significant difference, the exposure is weighted to favour increased exposure of the darker half of the scene. Where these differences are minimal, the exposure value is averaged. In some other Minolta cameras of the period, such as the SR-T 101, the CLC was a device that used two CdS cells to identify contrast (illumination level differences) at the top and bottom (in landscape format) of a scene.
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 added a hot shoe and Safe Load System (SLS) indicator to show that film was loaded and being transported properly. The 7s came with the Contrast Light Compensator (CLC) metering system, but how it works in Hi-Matic cameras is unclear.
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 Hi-Matic 7s and Hi-Matic 9 followed the H-Matic 7 in 1966, and were improved versions of the 7.
Viewfinder: Tinted rangefinder, bright line frame automatic parallax correction Exposure Value and battery condition displaysĮxposure Modes: Full automatic and metered manualĮxposure Metering: Contrast Light Compensator, CdS exposure meter the meter is in the lens barrel to compensate for filters or other lens attachmentsĮV range: EV 5.7 (f/1.8 at 1/15 sec) to EV 17 (f/22 at 1/250 sec)įocusing: Direct helicoid focusing coupled to a super-imposed rangefinder closest focusing distance is 0.9m (3ft)įilm advance: Wind lever with 220° winding distance single full stroke or multiple short strokesīattery: 1.35 v, PX625 mercury battery the camera can operate without a batteryĭimensions: Height-82mm (3.25in) Width-140mm (5.5in) Front to back including lens-74mm (2.875in)
Shutter: Seiko-LA leaf shutter with self-timer (approx. Lens: Rokkor PF 45mm F/1.8 6 elements in 5 groups