Photoclubalpha

Some time ago I picked up a Minolta Uniomat (circa 1963, I think) with a 45mm/2.8 lens, for just a couple of dollars on ebay. I have no idea how to use it, just the focus, the film advance, and the shutter timer. I do know that the "Uniomat" name means that the aperture and the shutter are the same device, but my knowledge of the camera ends there. Does anybody have any experience with this camera? There is a guage on the top with two needles, one which apparently guages light and another which moves with adjustment of a ring on the lens barrel. I assume you are supposed to make these two needles match.

KevinBarrett wrote:Some time ago I picked up a Minolta Uniomat (circa 1963, I think) with a 45mm/2.8 lens, for just a couple of dollars on ebay. I have no idea how to use it, just the focus, the film advance, and the shutter timer. I do know that the "Uniomat" name means that the aperture and the shutter are the same device, but my knowledge of the camera ends there. Does anybody have any experience with this camera? There is a guage on the top with two needles, one which apparently guages light and another which moves with adjustment of a ring on the lens barrel. I assume you are supposed to make these two needles match.

I think that's the correct way to get the right exposure when the two needle match, same as my Minolta SRT101 i need to change the shutter speed and aperture to make the two needle to match. Try download the manual from the net then from there you'll know how the rangefinder operate. That what i always do when i bought an old classic rangefinder

My rangefinder

Got bored on a rainy day and took this:

Wow KB! Stick that picture on Sony Rumours and we've got the next Sony EVIL prediction . Have you got any film to go in it yet?

I put a roll in there about two years ago, but I've been so slow in using it. There are a few adjustments on it that I don't understand, so I'm hesitant to record anything important with it. Thew outer ring on the barrel is focus, but the inner ring is more complex. I'm almost certain it is used to compensate for your film sensitivity, but at any of several different markings...E D C B A? And there's a lot of other markings on the ring and between the rings, including a red tab that can be moved between a red "X" and a yellow "M."

Guess I'll have to share with some more pictures to describe it...

X and M are flash sync settings. M for bulbs (they have to fire before the shutter to build up light output) and X for electronic flash.

Dusty