Minolta Autocord aperture repair

[valdas]

I almost bought an Autocord (meterless version from 1958). The cosmetic condition was quite poor (needs new skin), but the lens was clean and all shutter speeds working properly. The asking price was 150€. The last moment I noticed that aperture does not work at all - I can move the knob, the value changes in the window, but I see no aperture blades at all as if they are stuck wide open (or been removed). The seller did not know this and now when I showed the fault he is ready to sell it for 50€ (basically for spares or repair). I found some youtube videos on aperture repair of similar Autocord, but still not convinced if that’s a project for me. It could be fun, but it could be waisted time 🙂. Any experience with similar issues?

 

[KoNickon]

Dealing with a stuck aperture on a leaf shutter camera means taking the shutter entirely apart to get at the aperture mechanism. It's not something I would attempt. But I wonder whether something has happened to the linkage between the aperture knob and the mechanism itself. I suggest you contact Karl Bryan, who is the acknowledged master repairer for Autocords. I've seen his contact information given here on RFF numerous times.

 

[valdas]

Dealing with a stuck aperture on a leaf shutter camera means taking the shutter entirely apart to get at the aperture mechanism. It's not something I would attempt. But I wonder whether something has happened to the linkage between the aperture knob and the mechanism itself. I suggest you contact Karl Bryan, who is the acknowledged master repairer for Autocords. I've seen his contact information given here on RFF numerous times.

This was my thought as well (some linkage issues), I have no intention to go as deep as rebuiling the shutter. No professional repair intention as well, that will cost the same as buying the working version 🙂

 

[p.giannakis]

I am not sure how the aperture linkage works so I cannot advise. My overall attitude towards repairs is that if I get a camera very cheap that needs repairs I sent it for repair. Nothing tells me that a working sample that I bought for £150 might not need a repair a year down the line. These cameras are half a century old.

 

[chipgreenberg]

Get it serviced. Get new skin put on. Then you'll have a camera that is good for the long haul. Mine has an amazing taking lens, holds it own with systems costing 10x as much. I think (even after repair) one of the best image quality/price ratios out there.

 

[valdas]

Get it serviced. Get new skin put on. Then you'll have a camera that is good for the long haul. Mine has an amazing taking lens, holds it own with systems costing 10x as much. I think (even after repair) one of the best image quality/price ratios out there.

Maybe I’ll go for it after all…
Thanks all for your input!

 

[hap]

I am not sure how the aperture linkage works so I cannot advise. My overall attitude towards repairs is that if I get a camera very cheap that needs repairs I sent it for repair. Nothing tells me that a working sample that I bought for £150 might not need a repair a year down the line. These cameras are half a century old.

Agree...mostly.

 

[valdas]

Agree...mostly.

Mostly. But I bought cameras needing repair, but usable (e.g. I rarely use slow shutter speeds, I can use Bulb instead) - I used them for a few years with no issues and sold (as needing repair). It is a matter of approach/philosophy.

 

[dxq.canada]

valdas, did you buy the Autocord ?

 

[valdas]

valdas, did you buy the Autocord ?

nope. The seller let it go for 50€ when I showed him the issue and somebody else snatched it before I even started considering it…

 

[dxq.canada]

Ah. OK price for someone who wants to fix it themselves.