The Minolta Hi-Matic CS is a rangefinder camera. The 35mm camera was built by Minolta in a factory in Japan. The model is part of the Hi-Matic series.
A fixed Rokkor lens is installed in the 35mm camera. It is composed of four lens elements. The elements are positioned in three groups. The focal length is 38 mm and the largest aperture of the lens is f/2.7. The smallest aperture is f/23. The camera is equipped with a coupled rangefinder for focusing. A minimum distance of 80 cm to the subject should be maintained for sharp images. A filter can be attached to the 46 mm thread.
Like all cameras of the Hi-Matic series, this model is equipped with a light meter. It is designed for photographic film with an ISO range of 25 to 500. The shutter speed and aperture are set automatically by the camera. There are no manual setting options for either value.
An external flash can be used via the hot shoe or PC flash port. An exposure time of 1/20 second is selected for the flash. The camera offers a setting option for the guide number of the flash. There is also a thread for a tripod and a connection for a cable release.
According to the manual, the dimensions of the camera are 11.3 x 7.3 x 5.4 cm. At the same time, the camera body weighs 360 grams. The power source of the Minolta Hi-Matic CS is two Mallory RM-640 batteries.
Films for the Minolta Hi-Matic CS
What kind of films does the Minolta Hi-Matic CS need? It requires 35mm film. There is no automatic film advance on this model. The film must be transported to the next free area with a lever after each photo. There is a counter on the top for the number of photos taken. When the end is reached, the film must be transported back into the cartridge with a crank and can then be removed.
Great films for the Japanese camera that are still around today are the Kodak Gold 200* for color shots and the Ilford HP5* for B&W images. According to reviews, both films deliver solid results and are suitable for a wide range of applications. Of course, you can also use films from other manufacturers. Here, one should pay attention to the sensitivity of the film. The camera’s exposure meter can only handle ISO 25 to ISO 500 films.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens name | Rokkor |
| Focal length | 38 mm |
| Biggest aperture | f/2.7 |
| Minimum focus distance | 80 cm / 2.624 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Filter thread | 46 mm |
| Lens design | 4 elements in 3 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/724 second to 4 seconds |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 500 |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe, PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/20 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 2x Mallory RM-640 batteries |
| Size | 11,3 x 7,3 x 5,4 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.45 x 2.87 x 2.13 inches |
| Weight | 360 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 101,22 Euro 164,97149,3598,90786,5587,1716967,061183,75109,16 Estimate based on used prices of 8 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 13.5.2024 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 109,33 Euro (117.98 US-Dollar) |