cleaning the vf/rf for HiMatic 7s

[jtzordon]

Good morning all,

I recently received the HiMatic 7s I purchased for a friend. I'd first like to comment how bright the rangefinder patch is! My Canonet is DIM in comparison. Well, the vf is quite foggy, and I'd like to clean it up for him, only I couldn't find out how to get the top off.

Help please? Thanks.

[jtzordon]

Anyone? Anyone?

[jamesdak]

Try asking at the Minoltarangefinders group on yahoo. Someone there might know. I just picked one of these up also but I don't know how to get into it. Jim

[Kin Lau]

Should be fairly simple... spanner to the advance lever or just a bit of friction to get it off. Block the rewind shaft with a pencil and just keep turning until it's off. There's a screw on the back and one on the left side. After that, it should come right off. If I remember correctly, it's a snug fit, so you'll probably have to wiggle it a bit.

[taffer]

You might need the spanner tool for the advance lever screw, mine is really tight in place...

[jtzordon]

I'll try my best without the spanner tool, as I don't have one. Thanks!

[ErnestoJL]

If you don´t have a spanner you can try instead a piece of rubber placed on top of the advance lever screw, to avoid scratches. Press the rubber against the screw head, and rotate it until the screw gets loose. Usually screws have right thread. It would be possible also to use a pair of pliers with jaws covered with a piece of thin rubber or plastic tubing, if the screw head protrudes slightly from the lever.