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i really don't use this camera as much as i should. it didn't even get a chance to finish its second roll before it got overshadowed by my XE for months. i guess i could argue that i should get rid of it KonMari style, but it'd really be a disservice to the camera to not at least try to fall back in love with it (if i even was in the first place...). maybe it doesn't feel as nice? maybe the perpetually loosening shutter speed ring (admittedly caused by yours truly) and non-working meter worsens the experience that much? maybe the rangefinder life just isn't for me?
it really does look nice, though, a surviving example of classic mid-century design. chrome and black leatherette is a perennially classy combo. the black accenting on the front of the lens also elevates the look significantly above the slightly older hi-matic 7, in my opinon. despite it being more or less as big as my XE, i tend to think of it as my "compact" camera to take in situations where one would generally bring a lighter camera (e.g. hiking, outing with friends). it has a nice weight to it, very much of the era.
maybe you picked up on this already, but i can't say i appreciate the shooting experience as much as the aesthetics. the ergonomics... leave much to be desired. shutter speed and aperture rings circumscribe the lens--not inherently bad, and actually a big reason why i want to try an olympus OM. the two rings are directly next to each other and stiffer than they should be, making it hard to adjust one ring without touching the other. the focusing ring also tends to get in the way. at the very least, fiddling with these settings is a good way to thicken the skin of your fingertips.
this camera also loves long strokes--the ratcheting wind lever's travel is nearly 180 degrees, and the shutter release needs to be depressed about 6mm or so. these aren't so bad, though. more of an interesting quirk than anything else. conveniences such as shutter speed and aperture in the viewfinder are absent--but did you really expect them in a rangefinder? the focusing patch is rather dim (likely due to age) but good enough when you're sober.
this might come across as saying that the hi-matic is better looked at than used. i don't necessarily think this is the case. so don't write off this camera just because of what i've said. i'll have to get back to using it to really make any judgements. and of course, i'll keep you updated, my dear reader.
more to come?
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