The Minolta Hi-Matic GF
An easygoing film photography adventure through Washington, DC and my hometown
I recently spent some time shooting with the Minolta Hi-Matic GF that I picked up on eBay for a mere $18—a charming little 35mm film camera from the early 1980s. I paired it with my go-to Ilford HP5 Plus 400 black-and-white film and carried it with me on a walk through Washington, DC as well as around my small hometown. The combination of this simple camera and classic film made for a really enjoyable and low-pressure shooting experience.
The Hi-Matic GF is about as simple as it gets. It’s a fully plastic, lightweight, viewfinder camera with zone focusing—just three distance icons to choose from—and basic aperture control based on weather icons (sunny, cloudy, etc.). It have autofocus, so you’re shooting mostly on instinct.
In comparison, the Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 that I featured in a previous post, is a step up. It has autofocus, a better lens, and automatic exposure, which makes it more reliable for consistent results. But while the AF2 is a bit more advanced, the GF is all about fun and freedom. It encourages you to stop overthinking and just enjoy taking photos.
In DC, we wandered near the Capitol, and explored a few quieter side streets. The GF was the perfect walking companion—lightweight, discreet, and super easy to shoot with on the go. The basic controls meant I was able to focus more on the moment and less on settings.
Later, I finished off the roll while walking around my small hometown, capturing familiar streets, old buildings, and everyday scenes. The GF was right at home in both environments, from big city landmarks to quiet, local corners.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 handled both settings beautifully. It has a great reputation for being flexible and forgiving, and it lived up to that. Whether I was shooting in full sun or in the shade of buildings, the negatives came out somewhat well-exposed and full of character. The grain, contrast, and overall look of HP5 added a timeless feel to the photos.
I developed the film myself at home using the Cinestill monobath. HP5 is really easy to work with, which makes it a great choice for home development. I used a simple daylight tank and followed Cinestill’s recommended times. (I’m still working on my development skills, so please excuse the dust and scratches.)
After drying, I scanned the negatives using an Epson V550 flatbed scanner. The results were pleasantly surprising—images had a soft, vintage look, but still plenty of detail. The GF’s lens isn’t super sharp like the AF2’s, but it gives the photos a slightly dreamy, nostalgic feel that I really liked.
The Minolta Hi-Matic GF is not a high-performance camera, but it’s a ton of fun. It’s perfect for casual walks, spontaneous snapshots, or anyone wanting to reconnect with the joy of film photography without getting bogged down in technical settings. Combined with Ilford HP5, it delivered moody, classic black-and-white images that I’m excited to shoot more of.
If you're looking for more consistency and sharper images, the Hi-Matic AF2 might be a better choice. But for pure simplicity and photographic fun, the GF absolutely delivers.
Until the next roll…thanks for reading.
