Minolta Hi-Matic AF-D

This camera saw heavy use in my family in the 80's. The story is that

my grandfather's Japanese clients gave him this camera as a gift. My

grandfather then gave it to my mother, and then she gave it to me on

Sunday. I took it out yesterday and was very surprised with the results.

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<img

src="http://hiddenonion.com/albums/album108/DS050315213027.jpg"><p><img

src="http://hiddenonion.com/albums/album108/DS050315213714.jpg"><p>

 

Does anyone have any info on this camera? I did a search but saw

nothing specific.<p>

 

<a

href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/hi_afd.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dminolta%2Bhi-matic%2Baf-d%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official">Minolta

Hi-Matic AF-D</a>

the AF-D was produced for a year or so. It came between the AF and the AF2, which both have the same rokkor lens. It was replaced by the AF2 that was much longer lived. These are some sharp cameras and a bargain (you can get them for $10-15) if you can live with the beeping noises during focusing :)

I have TWO of these cameras. The first one came to me when I bought out the entire showcase display of a second hand store, covered with layers of dirt and stinking like an ashtray. A thorough scrubbing got rid of this issue quickly. It worked fine for a while, then ceased operating..My second one ALSO came from a thrift store, with a very nice leather case. I immediately ran some film through it and the results were excellent. Its a well-built camera. After using the second unit I went back to my first broken unit and examined its innards...nothing seemed to be wrong except that the focusing mechanism appeared to be parked in a strange position. So it put the top back on, slammed it (carefully) down on the carpet in my office in an inverted position, and it came back to life..so now I have TWO of these unit, in excellent condition. Total cost: $12.00!!