Minolta Hi-Matic F
In 1978, my dad sold his television rental business and used some of the money to take our family on a five-week trip around the world. It was a big deal for us. Just before we boarded our flight from Sydney, after lunch and clearing customs, we stopped in at the duty-free shop. That is when Dad picked up a Canon Canonet 28 for himself, and to our surprise, he bought each of us kids a brand new Minolta Hi-Matic F. I was ten years old, and it was my first ever camera.
It may have been small, but it was no slouch. With its sharp Rokkor 38mm f/2.7 lens and clean design, it felt like a real camera, not a toy. I learned to shoot by feel, not with settings or theory, just by noticing the light and trusting the camera. That little rangefinder helped me see the world differently, even at that young age.
Eight years later, I was in the Royal Australian Navy, traveling through the Pacific and Southeast Asia. That same Minolta Hi-Matic F came with me. It bounced around in my kit bag, sailed with me on deployments, and captured memories I still look back on with a smile. It was always there, always reliable, and somehow always just worked.
Even now, it remains one of the most meaningful cameras I have ever owned. A classic, well looked after, and loved. Holding it brings back the feeling of that first overseas trip, the dusty ports of Asia, the laughter of my siblings, and my dad’s excitement at buying us something special. It is more than a camera. It is part of my life story.
MINOLTA HI-MATIC F SPECIFICATIONS
Camera Type: 35mm rangefinder
Lens: Rokkor 38mm f/2.7 fixed lens
Focus: Manual zone focus via coupled rangefinder
Shutter: Electronically controlled leaf shutter
Shutter Speeds: Auto-programmed from 1/30 – 1/650 sec
ISO Range: 25 – 500 (manual dial on lens barrel)
Exposure Control: Fully automatic, CdS cell above the lens
Viewfinder: Bright frame with parallax correction, shutter speed scale visible
Battery: 1 x PX675 mercury battery (modern replacement: zinc-air or adapter)
Release Year: 1972
Notes:
Lens: Rokkor 38mm f/2.7 fixed lens
Focus: Manual zone focus via coupled rangefinder
Shutter: Electronically controlled leaf shutter
Shutter Speeds: Auto-programmed from 1/30 – 1/650 sec
ISO Range: 25 – 500 (manual dial on lens barrel)
Exposure Control: Fully automatic, CdS cell above the lens
Viewfinder: Bright frame with parallax correction, shutter speed scale visible
Battery: 1 x PX675 mercury battery (modern replacement: zinc-air or adapter)
Release Year: 1972
Notes:
- Compact, quiet, and perfect for candid street shooting
- Easy to use with full auto-exposure
- Sharp lens with classic Minolta color rendering
- Great travel camera with vintage charm
MINOLTA HI-MATIC F LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Rokkor 38mm f/2.7
Mount: Fixed (non-interchangeable)
Focus Type: Manual, coupled rangefinder
Aperture Range: f/2.7 to f/16, 4-blade diaphragm
Shutter Speeds: Auto-programmed, 1/30 to 1/650 second
Filter Thread: 46mm
Notes:
Mount: Fixed (non-interchangeable)
Focus Type: Manual, coupled rangefinder
Aperture Range: f/2.7 to f/16, 4-blade diaphragm
Shutter Speeds: Auto-programmed, 1/30 to 1/650 second
Filter Thread: 46mm
Notes:
- A sharp, contrasty lens with classic Minolta rendering
- Slightly wider than standard, ideal for general use and travel
- Fixed aperture and shutter control via automatic exposure
- Compact and quiet, perfect for candid shooting
- Known for its smooth bokeh and reliable low-light performance in its day