The Minolta Hi-Matic ES is a 35mm camera. It is part of the Hi-Matic series and was manufactured by the Asian company in a factory in Japan.
The Rokkor lens of the 35mm camera is fixed. The focal length is 40mm and the maximum aperture is f/1.7, while the smallest aperture is specified as f/11. The camera does not have an autofocus. Manual focusing is facilitated by the coupled rangefinder. The closest focusing distance is 80 cm.
The Minolta camera is equipped with automatic exposure control. Shutter speed and aperture are set automatically based on film speed. ISO values from ISO 25 to 500 are supported by the CdS exposure meter. In low-light situations, the camera warns of possible image blur due to a slower shutter speed. There is no manual mode. It is also not apparent which shutter speed has been set. The shutter supports values from 1/1000 second to 2 seconds.
Hot-shoe flashes can be used with the 35mm photo camera. But there is also an additional port for flash units with a cable connection. A connection for a cable release and a thread are of course also available. However, the camera does not have a self-timer.
The dimensions of the camera body are 12.4 x 7.7 x 6 cm. It weighs 550 grams. Two Mallory RM-640 batteries are responsible for the power supply.
Films for the Minolta Hi-Matic ES
The Minolta Hi-Matic ES requires 35mm films. These films can still be easily purchased today. Transported is the film after each release to the next free area with a lever on the top. On the top side is the counter with the already taken pictures. When the end of the film material is reached after usually 36 frames, the film must be wound back into the cartridge with a crank. Then it can be removed and taken to a lab for development.
Great films for the Minolta Hi-Matic ES that are still around today are the Kodak Gold 200* for color images and the Kodak TRI-X 400* for B&W images. Both films deliver reliable results and can also convince in professional test reports. Films from other producers can of course also be used with the camera.
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 | 40 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/1.7 |
| Minimum focus distance | 80 cm / 2.624 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Filter thread | 49 mm |
| Lens design | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 2 seconds |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 500 |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | 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 | 12,4 x 7,7 x 6 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.88 x 3.03 x 2.36 inches |
| Weight | 550 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
FAQ about the Minolta Hi-Matic ES
Is the Minolta Hi-Matic ES a point-and-shoot camera, or do I need to manually adjust settings?
It's an automatic camera. The camera sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically based on the film's ISO speed. You don't need to manually adjust these settings, making it simple to use.
What kind of lens does this 35mm camera have, and how good is it for close-up shots?
It has a fixed 40mm Rokkor lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.7. It's a good lens, but the closest focusing distance is 80cm, so it's not ideal for extreme close-ups.
How do I take a picture with the camera, and how does it tell me how many pictures I have left?
You advance the film after each shot using a lever on top. A counter on the top also shows how many pictures you have taken. Once the film is full (usually 36 exposures), you wind it back using a crank to develop.
Does the camera have a self-timer or any manual controls for things like shutter speed?
No, the Minolta Hi-Matic ES doesn't offer a self-timer or manual controls. It's fully automatic; exposure settings are handled internally.
Can I use flash with this device, and what type of batteries does it use?
Yes, it has a hot shoe for flash and a PC sync connection for older flashes with a cable. It runs on two Mallory RM-640 batteries.