Minolta Autocord - Which Model?

[ARCHIVIST]

I am looking for a Minolta Autocord - I know nothing about them except that they are a quality build and have excellent optics.


Would anyone like to comment on which model would be the better of the range please?


Cheers
Peter

 

[CMur12]

All Minolta Autocords are excellent cameras, in my opinion, and all have the same outstanding Tessar-type lens. Some users feel that Minolta outdid the Tessar with this one.

I have a couple of late Autocords: A CdS-III from 1966 (the last year of Autocord production) and a Standard/Autocord I from 1965. I really like both of these cameras, though I have mainly used the CdS-III. This camera has a "zone" or "partial" meter that is very accurate. With my other TLRs, I use handheld meters, but I have always gotten perfectly exposed slides with the built-in meter on this camera. I once had an earlier Autocord also, but I kept these. All are very well made.

Autocords from different periods have different shutters. I don't know if any shutters were better than others. Some earlier Autocords had 10-leaf apertures, though I believe all had at least 8 (as do mine).

The weakest link on any Autocord is the focusing lever. Autocords that have sat a long time, with the original organic lubricants solidified, will be difficult to focus. Forcing the lever can cause it to break. Make sure any Autocord you consider buying doesn't have the focusing lever broken off. A stiff focusing lever should be serviced before trying to move it. When properly clean and lubed, this lever moves very smoothly and easily.

In my opinion, any Autocord in good condition would be a good purchase.

- Murray

 

[Brian Legge]

According to one repairman I used a while back, the early version of their Citizen shutter was problematic. Unfortunately there isn't a way to tell the early and later versions apart aside from taking off the front cover. The design difference relates to a spring used in the first version of the shutter that is more prone to failure and not easily repaired.

I'm not sure if Karl Bryan is still active, but he did focus lever replacement with one built from a more robust metal. I picked up a near-mint one a long time ago that had a broken lever for a very low price. He replaced the lever and CLA'd it promptly at a very reasonable price. Granted, he was in the US... but one of the best repair experiences I've had with any camera.

 

[Steve M.]

Here's a great deal on one, and offered from one of the best sellers you can buy from, complete w/ a 180 day warranty. Not sure what their policy is on shipment out of the US though. I've owned several Autocord models and they all worked perfectly. As mentioned, best to ask about the focus smoothness before you buy, but w/ KEH you're covered. The lenses on these things blew away my Hassy w/ an 80 lens. True, the Autocords have Tessar type lenses, but mine outperformed any Tessar that I ever saw in terms of sharpness and contrast.

https://www.keh.com/shop/misc-collectibles-minolta-autocord-75-f3-5-rokkor-267258.html

 

[dourbalistar]

Here's the deal of the year on one, and from one of the best sellers you can buy from, complete w/ a 180 day warranty.

https://www.keh.com/shop/misc-collectibles-minolta-autocord-75-f3-5-rokkor-267258.html

Bargain condition, but the notes say "Inoperative". 😕

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Dan Daniel, a member here and over at Photrio/APUG, often sells refurbished Autocord for a decent price. I picked mine up from him a few years back and it has worked flawlessly. Mine is a meterless version with a Seikosha-MX shutter, 10 aperture blades and a ‘Chiyoko Rokkor’ labelled lens.

 

[ARCHIVIST]

Thanks to you all for most valuable information.
The search begins in earnest.


Cheers
Peter

 

[wjlapier]

Dan Daniel, a member here and over at Photrio/APUG, often sells refurbished Autocord for a decent price. I picked mine up from him a few years back and it has worked flawlessly. Mine is a meterless version with a Seikosha-MX shutter, 10 aperture blades and a ‘Chiyoko Rokkor’ labelled lens.

Mine came from Dan Daniel too. Well made camera and super smooth to use. Feels more rugged than the Rolleicord III I owned once.