Minolta Hi-matic ES Owner's Manual

Introduction

Your Minolta Hi-matic ES is an electro-automatic camera featuring a newly designed Seiko ESF completely programmed electronic shutter for highly accurate exposure from 1/1000 to 2 full seconds. Its CdS electric eye and auto-flashmatic systems provide continuous automatic exposure and switch-over from brightest EE conditions throughout the entire flash range. The camera boasts a compact, lightweight design while taking high-quality full-frame 35mm pictures with ease. Convenient signals visible in the viewfinder indicate sufficient light for handheld auto exposure, warn when a tripod or flash is needed, and confirm when the flash system is ready. Coupled rangefinder focusing actuates automatic parallax correction. Please read this manual carefully for best results and longest service life.

Camera Overview

Names of Parts

Film Advance Lever: Used to advance film to the next frame.

Frame Counter: Displays the number of frames exposed.

Shutter Release Button: Activates the shutter to take a picture.

Battery Check Lamp: Indicates battery power status.

Cordless Flash Contact: For connecting wireless flash units.

Accessory Shoe: Mount for external accessories like flash units.

Film Rewind Crank: Used to rewind exposed film.

Back Release: Opens the camera back for film loading/unloading.

Rangefinder Window: For focusing.

Viewfinder Window: For composing shots and viewing information.

Distance Scale: Indicates the distance to the subject.

Film Speed Scale: Sets the camera for the film's ISO/ASA rating.

CdS Cell: Light sensor for automatic exposure.

Rokkor 40mm F1.7 Lens: The main lens of the camera.

Strap Lug and Link: For attaching a camera strap.

Film Pressure Plate: Holds film flat against the gate.

Sprocket: Engages film perforations to advance it.

Rewind Release: Disengages the film transport for rewinding.

Finder Eyepiece: Where the user looks to view the viewfinder.

Battery Compartment Cover: Access to the battery chamber.

Film Rewind Shaft: Engages with the film cartridge for rewinding.

Cord Sync. Terminal: For connecting flash units via a cord.

Film Cartridge Chamber: Holds the film cartridge.

Tripod Socket: For mounting the camera on a tripod.

Guide Number Letter Scale: For setting flash exposure.

GN Letter Scale Release: Button to adjust the GN scale.

Specifications

Getting Started

Before Taking Pictures

Inserting Mercury Batteries

The automatic exposure system is powered by two 1.35-volt mercury batteries. Ensure they are properly seated before operation.

1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow [slide direction] and lift it open using the recessed lip slot.

2. Ensure the clear vinyl strip is projecting from the compartment. Insert the 2 batteries as indicated by the diagrams in the compartment bottom, observing correct polarity ([plus sign] and [minus sign]). Close and latch the cover by sliding it in the direction of the arrow and letting it snap back.

CAUTION:

• Ensure correct polarity ([plus sign] and [minus sign] terminals are not reversed).
• Battery terminals should not be touched with hands; clean them with a clean cloth before inserting.
• If the camera is not to be used for over a month, remove the batteries and store them in a cool, dry place.

Checking Battery Power

You can check battery condition by slightly depressing the shutter release button. If the battery check lamp on top of the camera lights up, batteries have adequate power.

If the lamp does not light, ensure batteries are properly inserted or replace them. The EE indicator lamp in the viewfinder also indicates battery power. A special device locks the shutter if batteries are too weak or absent, preventing picture taking. If the shutter cannot be released, install or change batteries.

Loading Film

1. Lift the film rewind crank and grasp it to pull up the back release; the back cover will automatically spring open.

2. Place the film cartridge into the film cartridge chamber. If the film rewind key does not engage properly, rotate the film crank in either direction until it does.

3. Insert the leader of the film about 1 cm (1/2 in.) into one of the slots in the take-up spool. Be sure that the film perforation is engaged in the tooth of the slot.

4. While pressing the film gently against the sprocket, actuate the film advance lever slowly until the perforations on both edges of the film are engaged with the sprocket teeth. Then close the back cover.

5. A large red dot [red dot] should now appear opposite the red index in the frame counter window. Actuate the film advance lever until it stops, then press the shutter release button. Repeat this lever actuation and shutter release until the number "1" appears opposite the counter index.

CAUTION:

• Ensure the film perforation engaged with the take-up spool slot is not the very last one on the end of the leader. The perforation used should be the third or fourth one from the end of the leader.
• Load and unload film in subdued light, never in direct sunlight.

Setting Film Speed (ASA Number)

To enable correct exposure calculation, set the film speed scale to the applicable ASA number of your film. Turn the film speed scale to align the ASA rating number with the red dot index [red dot] on top of the outer lens barrel. The ASA scale ranges from 25 to 500.

Taking Pictures

Fully Automatic Electric-Eye Control

1. Looking through the viewfinder, push the shutter release button down slightly to determine the light level and picture-taking mode.

A. If the green lamp [green lamp] in the upper left corner of the viewfinder lights up and then goes out as you continue to push the shutter release, light is adequate for normal handheld auto exposure without flash. You can proceed to take the picture after focusing and composing.

B. If the green lamp [green lamp] does not go out but changes to red [red lamp] as you continue to depress the shutter release button, a shutter speed slower than 1/30 sec. is indicated. Use of a tripod is recommended if not using flash. The camera provides accurate auto exposures down to 2 full seconds without flash. Pay attention to subject movement at slow shutter speeds. You MUST HOLD THE SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON DOWN UNTIL THE RED LAMP [red lamp] GOES OUT. If not looking into the viewfinder, watch the battery check lamp, which operates in parallel with the EE indicator lamp.

Focusing

2. Focus by looking through the viewfinder and moving the grooved ring on the lens barrel until the two subject images in the center "diamond" come together and appear as one.

Out of Focus: A double image appears in the viewfinder's diamond-shaped area.

In Proper Focus: The two images merge into one. Camera-to-subject distance is indicated by the scale and index on the lens barrel.

Composing Your Picture

3. Frame your subject within the bright-frame lines visible in the viewfinder; the area inside this frame is what will appear on the film. As you focus, the bright frame moves, providing automatic parallax correction adjusted for the subject distance, preventing composition differences or unintentionally "cutting off" subjects at close range.

NOTE: If you cannot see the bright frame or subject clearly, use a Minolta Eyepiece Correction Lens (available separately) to suit your vision.

Releasing the Shutter

4. For exposures without a tripod, hold the camera firmly with both hands and release the shutter with a slow, steady squeeze to avoid blurred pictures from camera movement. Use of a cable release is recommended for exposures with a tripod.

Automatic Flash Photography

When the viewfinder EE indicator lamp changes from green [green lamp] to red [red lamp], it indicates you should use flash if slow shutter speeds are not desired. The camera automatically switches to X-synchronized flash exposures at 1/20 sec. if a flash is attached.

When a flash unit is properly attached and the flash circuit is connected, the flashmatic symbol [flash symbol] will light up in the upper right corner of the viewfinder as the shutter release is pushed and the EE indicator lamp changes to red.

Attaching Flash Unit

1. The camera is equipped with a cordless hot-shoe contact and a standard European-type terminal for flash units with cords. Slide cordless units into the accessory shoe. Connect the sync cord plug for corded units.

CAUTION:

• Ensure the flash unit is pushed all the way into the accessory shoe until it stops.
• When using a cordless flash unit, insert the cap of the sync. terminal to avoid electric shock.
• With flash attachments using standard flashbulbs, be sure not to insert a bulb until the unit has been properly attached to the camera.

Setting the GN (Guide Number) Letter

2. Obtain the proper GN letter for your flash by referring to the table on the back of the camera. (For example, if the guide number is 20 for meters with ASA 100 film, its GN letter is C.) Push the GN letter scale release and use it to turn the scale to set the correct letter opposite the index.

For the Minolta Electroflash-3, align the yellow arrow symbol [yellow arrow] on the film speed scale ring with the yellow index [yellow index] at its click stop for automatic GN setting.

The camera automatically adjusts the lens aperture for correct exposure within the working range of the flash.

Flash Working Range

3. Focus your subject with the coupled rangefinder. The lens aperture is automatically adjusted. Working ranges for various flashes are indicated in tables. A black mark [black mark] between the highest distance-scale number and the infinity symbol [infinity symbol] indicates the approximate maximum range of flashes having a guide number of 14m or more.

If a flash attachment is connected, the camera will fire it only when necessary, switching it on or off according to the light level sensed by the CdS cell. This ensures correctly exposed pictures continuously and automatically from brightest EE conditions throughout the full effective range of the flash. Simply focus and press the shutter release; the camera handles exposure settings and switching.

Thanks to your Hi-matic ES's coupled film-speed and GN-letter dials, it is not necessary to reset the GN dial when the film speed changes, provided you continue to use the same flash; resetting the film-speed dial automatically adjusts the GN-letter setting.

Unloading Exposed Film

1. Depress the film rewind release [rewind release symbol] on the bottom of the camera.

2. Lift the film rewind crank and turn it clockwise [clockwise direction]. This rewinds the film into the film cartridge. When all but the film leader is completely rewound, the red signal in the film load window will disappear. Continue winding until you feel a slight resistance, indicating the film leader is leaving the take-up spool.

3. When you are sure the film is completely rewound, pull out on the rewind crank to open the camera back and remove the film cartridge.

Optional Accessories

• Minolta Electroflash-3: A compact, efficient electronic flash unit designed for the Hi-matic ES. Features cordless hot-shoe convenience, a pulsating "flash-ready" monitor lamp visible in the viewfinder, and constant light output. Can be used with any camera having a cordless hot shoe.
• Minolta Lens Shade: Prevents harmful extraneous light from entering the lens. Recommended for all outdoor photography.
• Minolta Duo-Fit S Flashgun: A compact flashgun with a unique design for efficient operation. Operates cordlessly with the Hi-matic ES and is equipped with a self-store cord for cameras with cord terminals.
• Minolta Eyepiece Corrector: Focusing aids for far- and near-sighted photographers. These special lenses fit into the camera eyepiece. Minolta offers nine different diopter strengths, from -4 to +3.
• Slide 300 Projector: A lightweight unit that projects both 35mm and 16mm slides with sharp Rokkor Lenses. It has an efficient condenser system and a high-performance sirocco fan for bright, safe projection. Optional accessories include an auto-changer, tele/wide conversion lens, strip-film carrier, and projection screens.
• Minolta Filters:
  • For Black-and-White Film: L39 (UV) absorbs excessive ultraviolet rays; Y48 (Yellow) renders red and yellow subjects lighter and darkens blue skies.
  • For Color Film: 80B is used for shooting with daylight-type color film indoors with artificial light (3400°K).
  • For All Film: 1A improves bluish rendition in shade, overcast, or hazy conditions and can protect the lens. ND X4 (Neutral Density) filter adjusts exposure, useful for preventing overexposure in bright scenes.

Care and Storage

Your Minolta Hi-matic ES is made for long, carefree service. Never touch the camera lens with fingers. Should the lens become dirty, clean it with a blower brush or a soft, lint-free cloth using a gentle motion.

If you do not plan to use your camera for a long period, it is best to remove the batteries. Store your camera in a cool, dry place away from dust or chemicals. An airtight container with a drying agent like silica gel is ideal. The camera should never be placed or left in a motor vehicle's glove compartment or other locations subject to high temperatures.