Minolta Hi-Matic 11 (1968)

The Minolta Hi-Matic 11 is a 35mm rangefinder introduced in 1968 as the successor to the Hi-Matic 7s, and it sat at the top of the Hi-Matic line as "a more luxurious model" above the Hi-Matic 5 and 7. It shared its meter system with the Hi-Matic 9, differing mainly in shutter speed range. Production ran for only about a year.

The camera is built around a Rokkor 45mm f/1.7 lens and a Seiko leaf shutter with speeds from 1/8 to 1/500 second. What sets the Hi-Matic 11 apart from many of its contemporaries is its selenium-cell meter — no battery required, since the cell generates its own current from light. The exposure system is "set and forget": you pick the aperture, and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically. There's also a manual override that lets you set both aperture and shutter speed yourself. The viewfinder is a coupled rangefinder with bright frame and parallax marks, and there's a built-in mechanical self-timer. Film advance is a single-stroke lever wind, and flash connectivity comes via a cold shoe and PC socket.

The selenium meter is both the camera's most interesting feature and its most common failure point. Owners report that these cells degrade with age — they can lose accuracy or die entirely, and when they go, they can't be repaired. The leatherette covering also tends to dry out and peel, and rangefinder misalignment is a known issue. But when working, the meter is said to remain remarkably accurate even decades on.

On the used market, the Hi-Matic 11 is readily available and inexpensive — typically $50–$150 depending on condition, with some listings lower. The main caveat before buying: assume the selenium cell may be weak or dead, and factor that into the price.