With summer on the way, I’ve decided to invest in some new cameras, namely a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s (circa 1966) and a FED-3 (made somewhere in the vicinity of 1964 and 1980).
My interest in the rangefinder style was initially sparked by a beautiful, re-leathered Olympus Trip 35. These cameras are remarkably attractive, and came from a time when a compact camera, meant more than just point and shoot. In fact, it’s sad to see the progression of models become increasingly ‘automatic’, until they reached the point in the 1980s that we can see in op-shops of today. Plastic fantastic pieces of junk with infinite focus and no options but point and shoot.
The cameras of the 1960s and early 1970s meant quality, with some, offering lenses as fast as f/1.7 or f/1.8 (such as the 7s listed above and it’s successor). Along with variable shutter speed, and the rangefinder system for focusing, these cameras were high quality, and were capable of creating beautiful images – and still are today. Their main difference to the SLR camera was that they featured a non-interchangeable lens, usually ranging around the 40-50mm mark. They were also known for their ‘leaf’ shutters, a mere whisper compared to an SLR. While some may say the ‘decline’ of photography is now occurring with digital – I disagree. The first decline in photography, was the simplification of the consumer friendly rangefinder camera.
The FED-3 I have purchased sits slightly outside of the realms of my normal photography, serving as a piece of nostalgia, knowing where it’s been and the social circumstances it photographed in. One of the Russian Leica imitations, the FED-3, was a Soviet made camera and honestly looks it. Whilst the Minolta’s, Canon’s, Yashica’s and Olympus’ all had a small, compact, uniquely Japanese style, the FED and other brands such as Zorki, indeed looked Soviet. Sleek lines weren’t exactly your top priority when you had an Iron Curtain to uphold. Never-the-less, the FED-3 has adistinct personality. And when buying a Soviet relic – how could one purchase it, in anything, but red leatherette.
For these two (and my new Fujica 8 T3- motion camera) I’ve purchased a light meter. From what I’ve found, the FED-3 has no inbuilt light meter and the Minolta needs a 1.35 volt battery which isn’t available from general retailers anymore, but can be purchased at
www.vintagebatteries.com
I currently have 25 rolls of black and white film sitting in the fridge, after bulk loading one of my year and a half out of date 50ft rolls. I would have done my other packet, but ran out of canisters. Unfortunately I need to return the bulk loader to my high school photography teacher, so I need to find more canisters, quick smart.
The cameras will be arriving in the next week or two and photos will be posted once I’ve shot a few rolls.
References
MINOLTA HI-MATIC 7s
THE FED-3
VINTAGE BATTERIES
Also note - I'm new to these kinds of cameras, this is just an overview of them, so in future posts, you can understand what I've shot on. If there are any inaccuracies in what I've said, please let me know.
