Minolta Hi-Matic G2

I have now reached the last Hi-Matic on my shelf, the Hi-Matic G2, which I hope will conclude this dynasty list. This model was introduced in 1981 and was succeeded by just three other Hi-Matic models before this line ended. Following Minolta’s naming conventions, it seems to be a predecessor to the Hi-Matic G of 1973, a viewfinder as well, and it was followed by the GF, a similar camera which added an integral flash. The Hi-Matic line extended from  1962 to 1984, a good run for a camera model family, although the early and the late cameras had nothing in common but the name. Perhaps an indication of Minolta’s diminishing interest in this model is the lens, marked Minolta only, no longer Rokkor.

The Hi-Matic G2 aligns with the late H-Matics, offering a user-friendly, easy-to-use, and affordable experience. I am not aware of its popularity, as it has a limited online presence, whereas other Hi-Matic models have a substantial article base. It could have been a market-specific model, given that few are available for sale and recorded transactions are scarce. My unit came from the UK, with a parcel of cameras I bought there.

The camera is tiny and lightweight, making it a perfect take-anywhere camera. It is almost the size of half-frame 35mm cameras, yet it offers full-frame. Using it is simple. Drop in a roll, set the film speed, estimate distance and Bob’s your uncle.

• The body is plastic, all black, very well preserved for a 43-year-old camera; I believe it saw little use.
• The viewer is large and bright with a permanent parallax frame, and at the right is a meter scale. The scale is marked 22-2.8 with a red underexposure zone at the bottom. The meter needle hovers over it.
• The top has a self-reset frame counter, a smallish lever winder, a prominent trigger, a hot accessory shoe and a fold-out rewind handle that doubles as a back release.
• Bottom has the battery cover, mounting thread and the rewind clutch release.
• Original battery was 675, 1.35V. Use AG13 or equivalent, which are 1.5V. The auto exposure will not differ much. To check the battery, half-press the trigger; the needle should be outside the red zone.
• The front features a viewer window and an adjacent opaque window that hosts the parallax frame.
• The lens barrel offers little; the ring closest to the body is the shooting mode, with Auto and GN values.
• The GN value represents the flash gun’s ability. Use the GN marked on the flash gun body.
• The focusing distance is an estimate, marked in meters and feet, and complemented with simple, self-explanatory icons. The most used option is assumed to be full-body, so the icon is marked red.
• At the front, above the lens is the meter lens, and under the lens is the film speed selector, in ISO/ASA values. Setting it takes two fingers to turn the serrated ring around the lens.
• Inside is a clean, all-plastic body. Two cogs guide the film, and a roller and a pressure plate are on the back door.
• The shutter is a two-leaf, scissors-type, not the traditional leaf shutter.
• In auto mode, the camera selects the shutter speed and the aperture value. When set to a GN value, the shutter speed defaults to 60 and sets the aperture according to the selected GN.
• The camera can be used without a battery, where the shutter defaults to 60. The metric scale sets the aperture on the GN ring:
  • 40=f11
  • 28=f8
  • 20=f5.6
  • 14=f4
  • 10=f2.8