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Alternatives to the olympus 35 rc
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 5:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
alaios wrote:

Revue 400se looks way cheaper.. I wonder why if it is identical. Btw on this youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_gJhnQlttI
revue 400 se is also reported as konica s3 clone


That Youtube video is not exactly correct. Both the Revue and the Konica are rebadged Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII's -- as I mentioned in my above post. BTW, in my recent reading up on the Minolta Hi-Matics, I haven't come across any information that would indicate they were built by Cosina. The Hi-Matic models were first introduced by Minolta in 1962, after which they went through various modifications and changes. Not saying they weren't built by Cosina, but in the several websites I visited that reviewed the Hi-Matic 7s, Cosina wasn't mentioned.

The Hi-Matic was a long lived line, lasting all the way until 1982. I have an '81 vintage Hi-Matic AF2 that was given to me by a guy who claimed it no longer worked. All it needed was new batteries. Cool


PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The best small sized rangefinder cameras are the Olympus 35RC and the Minolta Himatic 7sII. Next come the Canonet QL17 G-III and QL19. The rest might be small sized but none of them offer the features of these cameras.
Olympus XAs are fully automatic cameras with a simple CDs meter that gets tricked quite often.
Of course, for the financially cool people there are newer higher end rangefinder cameras that offer a lot more (Nikon 35ti, Contax, etc).


PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 7:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
cooltouch wrote:

That Youtube video is not exactly correct. Both the Revue and the Konica are rebadged Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII's -- as I mentioned in my above post. BTW, in my recent reading up on the Minolta Hi-Matics, I haven't come across any information that would indicate they were built by Cosina. The Hi-Matic models were first introduced by Minolta in 1962, after which they went through various modifications and changes. Not saying they weren't built by Cosina, but in the several websites I visited that reviewed the Hi-Matic 7s, Cosina wasn't mentioned.
The Hi-Matic was a long lived line, lasting all the way until 1982. I have an '81 vintage Hi-Matic AF2 that was given to me by a guy who claimed it no longer worked. All it needed was new batteries. Cool


I have it from here http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Minolta_Hi-Matic_7sII and other sites (most probably German ones) which I do not remember yet. Revue was a brand name of "Foto Quelle" Germany and Austria. It's therefore more easy to find it in my region of the world.

However, as I wanted to have the very cool looking black version which was only found in Revue branding I went for Revue instead of Minolta. I did make a comparison at least between the Minolta and the Revue model and can definitely say that they are identical. The Revue is even the better one as it features additionally a flash sync box on the left side of the camera which is obviously missing in the Minolta version. The rings for the camera belt are also located a little bit different on both models, where the Revue version is also winning here for my taste. But that's definitely all about the differences.

No other Minolta Hi-Matic is looking like and operating exactly like the 7sII and it is more than unlikely that Minolta produced only this model for some other distributers and brands too. I would not bet my eyes on Cosina but actually it doesn't matter anyway.

If you are interested in this model just grab any of them. They all will deliver exactly the same pictures. That's for sure.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
tb_a wrote:
I did make a comparison at least between the Minolta and the Revue model and can definitely say that they are identical.

Another branding for the same camera is Vivitar 35ES.
It might be easier to find that one outside the "Revue market" Smile
Nice compact camera with good and fast lens indeed.
Some facts:
http://mattsclassiccameras.com/vivitar_35es.html

Last edited by Minolfan on Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:31 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Here is my "Minolta":



Sorry for the quick and dirty picture. It was btw. taken with my Ricoh and a Jupiter 8 lens from 1962 (50mm/F2 M39) fully open. Wink
Obviously the camera needs some cleaning too...
Battery is still OK, altough I haven't used the camera since ages...


PostPosted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
zanxion72 wrote:
After using my Minolta HiMatic 7sII for quite a long I have sold my Oly 35RC. Far better lens and without that silly distortion the little oly produces.
What I don't like on my HiMatic is that the shutter button goes a long way until it trips the shutter.


Distortion? I love the lens on the HiMatic 7sII, Vivitar ES.

RUSS
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