Minolta Autocord

[Nesster]

Minolta Autocord (export) 1958 by Nesster, on Flickr

My latest TLR... I got it cheap and suspected it would need some repair, not too bad as it turns out...

This configuration with the Seikosha-MX LV shutter and Chiyoko Rokkor is the Autocord export model, from 1958. The serial number on the camera though is a lower number than mentioned on the web... 165xxx, though this is consistent with 1958. So it likely is from early in the run.

The LV implementation is an unusual one: you add the numbers for the shutter and aperture - in this case 7+6= 13 EV.

Mostly everything works, focus and aperture and the lenses are clear. Two problems: the shutter speed is stuck on 1/100 and won't budge, and the shutter arming with the backward crank isn't reliable - seems like the feeler on the top of the back isn't engaged to the back itself properly. Oh, and the seals are bad and the leatherette is peeling. So this will go in for repairs and then get a new skin.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[cooltouch]

Well, it looks handsome in the photo. How would you compare it to the Yashica Mats?
_________________
Michael


Canon FD: F-1n, FTbn, FTb, AE-1P, Canon Power Winder A, Canon Power Winder F, Sportfinder F, Vivitar 17mm f/3.5, Vivitar 35mm f/1.9, 50mm f/1.4 SSC, 50mm f/1.8 SC, FL 55mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/4.5 IF, 35-105mm f/3.5, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Vivitar S1 24-48mm f/3.8, Vivitar S1 28-105mm f/2.8-3.8
Canon EOS: Elan IIe, XS (1000D), EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 IV USM, 70-210mm f/4, 75-300mm f/4-5.6 II USM, Tamron 24-70 f/3.3-5.6 Aspherical, 420 EZ strobe
Canon Rangefinder: IIIa, Serenar 50mm f/1.8, Serenar 100mm f/4, Kyoei Super Acall 135mm f/3.5, Canon AF35ML P&S
Nikon F: F2 w/MD-2/MB-2, F2S w/MD-2/MB-1, FE w/MD12, 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm f/3.5 Micro, 105mm f/2.5, 80-200mm f/4.5, Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, Vivitar Series 1 105mm f/2.5 Macro, Vivitar 200mm f/3.5, Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD, PB-4/PS-4
Olympus: OM-1, OM-1n, 50mm f/1.8, 135mm f/3.5, Vivitar 28mm f/2.8, XA
Pentax K:KX, MV, 50mm f/2 SMCP, Kalimar 28-200mm f/3.9
Fuji: Finepix S3000 3mp digicam
Bronica: ETRSi, prism finder, 75mm f/3.5, 150mm f/3.5, 120, 220, Grip E.
Yashica:Mat 124 TLR, Electro 35 GT
Tamron Adaptall: 24mm f/2.5, SP 90mm f/2.5 Macro, 35-80mm f/2.8-3.5, 80-210mm f/3.8-4, SP 60-300mm f/3.8-5.4, SP 1.4x, SP 2x
T-Mount: Century Precision Optics Tele Athenar 500mm f/5.6 and 650mm f/6.8
Other Stuff: Minolta AF2 P&S, Spiratone Telescope eyepiece adapter (converts T-mount lens to telescope), Cambron zoom slide duplicator (T-Mount), Opteka Digital Slide Duplicator
Strobes: Metz 60 CT-1, Braun F900, Vivitar 283, 285, Yashica Pro-50 DX, Yuzo DC2814 Ring Light

My Blog: http://michaelmcbroom.com/blogistan/

My Gallery: http://michaelmcbroom.com/gallery3/index.php/

[Attila]

Very nice! I expect better quality or equal than Yashica.
_________________
Attila - admin --- BUY FRESH FOMAPAN TO HELP KEEP THE FACTORY ALIVE ---
Foma Campaign topic - FOMAPAN on forum - Webshop EU

Items on sale on Ebay

35mm: Konica A4, Konica IIIA, Konica FC-1
MF: Konica Pearl I,II,III 6x4,5 Konica Semi Pearl
Film: Foma,Kodak, Fuji DIY development C41, FOMA LQR
Scan: Epson V500, scanassist (http://www.scanassist.org)
Shutter tester: LCD tester from member vfmoto
Digital: Panasonic G1, Sony Nex-3, Samsung NX100
Lenses: Konica Hexanons,Carl Zeiss,Carl Zeiss Jena,Meyer-Optik,Minolta MD,Yashica ML,Nikon,Olympus OM
DIY E-6,C41 and B&W

[Nesster]

Once I get this one working, I can compare 3 of the best Japanese TLRs: Autocord, Diacord and Yashica Mat 124G

Between the Diacord and Yashica - Diacord lens is more contrasty and in-your-face sharp, while the Yashica is a bit more relaxed but still holds onto detail pretty well.
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[RioRico]

I have my father's AutoCord #140626 with Chiyoko Rokkor 75/3.5 lens and Optiper-MXS shutter (1-1/500 second). It was probably an Export model, as Dad remained stateside throughout the 1950's-60's. I always thought it was better quality than my long-lost YashicaMat 124G.

Alas, the AutoCord's shutter no longer works, and I don't know when or where I can have it repaired. But I have a working backup, Dad's prior TLR: an ArgoFlex-E, smaller and simpler than either the AutoCord or the YashicaMat -- it's almost pocket size, if one has big pockets. Anyway, Dad got professional results from both cameras.
_________________
Too many film+digi cams+lenses, oh my -- Pentax K20D, K-1000, M42s, more
The simple truth is this: There are no neutral photographs. --F-Stop Fitzgerald

[Kram]

Autocords are superb! I've owned a few. Thought about buying one today.

[Nesster]

[Seele]

An interesting factoid is that the Autocord adopted the Meopta Flexaret's focussing mechanism. My own feeling is that the Diacord's "see-saw" arrangement is a little better mechanically, but more prone to ingress of dirt.

I do have a Diacord but the taking lens is shot; but I do not really have an urge to get it done up

[Schnauzer]

Its a nice looking camera right now.

Is a camera like this a lot more expensive to have repaired than a regular SLR like say a spotmatic. Just curious.
_________________
Ron

[F16SUNSHINE]

Oooh..... Very Nice!
I look forward to your examples.
There is a UK Photographer that I have liked over the years who used an autocord.
Les Mclean. Reading one of his books sent me on a quest for new ways to expose frames via breaking up exposure times.
The Focus lever is a very unique Autocord feature am I right?

[Seele]

[Nesster]

[Schnauzer]

Thanks Jussi.
_________________
Ron

[Nesster]

Damn, my wife didn't tell me a package came yesterday -- I came in a different door as I was bringing back garbage cans from the curb -- and the Minolta is already back! Karl works very fast.

My repair came to a bit more than I thought it would, but then I got a new name plate to replace the broken one that had been glued onto the camera. Karl charges $55 for the shutter CLA, plus then he restores the helix, adjusts and fixes the transport, collimates the lenses, cleans the reflex mirror and view screen... my camera had had a front impact, thus the stuck levers. He adjusted these. Now everything is silky smooth.

Karl's email: karl.kathy@frontier.com and he's up in the Northwest of the USA
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica

[Nesster]

Here she is, half-nude, as Karl did not replace the leatherette he removed to do the CLA... as I'm waiting (and waiting...) for cameraleather.com to send me a package. Anyhow, there's a very large version on flickr if anyone wants to see the screws and bits that are usually covered by leatherette.


Minolta Autocord, partially uncovered by Nesster, on Flickr
_________________
-Jussi
Camera photos

Print Photographica