Autocord vs rolleiflex

icono · Mar 20, 2010

hello!
i'm the happy owner of minolta autocord, it's really great, i love it for it's sharpness, bokeh, it's ergonomics, it's everything (except for, maybe, it's fragility, or, rather, delicacy). here's some photos done with minolta http://www.flickr.com/photos/icono/sets/72157622630702399/

Although i like experimenting and "finding". and i'd also like to try legendary rolleiflex. i'm thinking about 3,5E or F.
but as it's quite costly and quite rare, i want to understand the real advantages i could get using it.
For example i know it's reliable in terms of.. "hardware")) but what concerns optics - are there noticable differences, and, mainly, advantages?

maybe there are some forum members who have both autocord and one of these rolleiflexes and could just give me some comparison and opinion?

Mats_A · Mar 20, 2010

I don't own an autocord but I would advice to also look at the Rolleicord if money is an issue.
They are the same build quality as the Flex. Also much cheaper. The Cord does not have Planar or Xentotar lenses so wide open I suppose they are not as good.

r

Ektagraphic · Mar 20, 2010

I just got a Rollei and I can see why it has become such a popular machine. It is amazing.......

Craig Swensson · Mar 20, 2010

Well my Autocord is just as solid as my kiev. I think the focus sweep issue is overstated by careless people.
About a 1/3 of a stop is one advantage, and if you carry both loaded you got 24 exposures . can`t think of any others.
regards
CW.

lilserenity · Mar 20, 2010

All I can say is having used a fair few TLRs and sold them all, including a Rolleicord, I was never disappointed with the build and quality of the Rolleis. The reason I stuck with the Autocord was its focusing lever, never caused me a problem and I find it so much easier to use than the knobs on other TLRs.

YMMV however.

That for me is the Autocord's sole feature that keeps me with it, and it's a good job the Rokkor lens is bitingly sharp and renders just beautifully.

mikebarger · Mar 20, 2010

Well my Autocord is just as solid as my kiev.

A lot of people would consider that a reason not to get a autocord.

Mike

Anscojohn · Mar 20, 2010

I liked my Autocord. Compact and light. Decent lens. The focus lever was wonderfully convenient. And constantly needed repair. I must add, I bought the camera well-used for 35 bucks.

I never had a speck of trouble with any Rollei, 'flex or 'cord. I was told, many years ago, that the very best bang for the buck in a TLR was a clean Rolleicord III or later.

Anscojohn · Mar 20, 2010

icono said:
hello!
i'm the happy owner of minolta autocord, it's really great, i love it for it's sharpness, bokeh, it's ergonomics, it's everything (except for, maybe, it's fragility, or, rather, delicacy). here's some photos done with minolta [
**************
You have a very good photographic "eye." Keep posting your photographs. Well done.
And I have a Kiev 88. It works very well for me.

icono · Mar 20, 2010

mikebarger said:
A lot of people would consider that a reason not to get a autocord.

Mike

what he probably meant was that his Minolta is as durable and "unkillable" as Kiev (which really is), not speaking of it's optics or shooting quality.

Anscojohn said:
You have a very good photographic "eye." Keep posting your photographs. Well done.
And I have a Kiev 88. It works very well for me.

thanks for your words. i'm only a newbie)

luvcameras · Mar 20, 2010

I wouldnt call the Rollei's "rare," but they are costly. On the other hand, just like Leica, you can buy a Rollei, use it for years and usually resell it for the same price you bought it for - so from that perspective, they are cheap...

See here for my Rolleiflex Price & Information Guide

Dead Link Removed

Dan

36cm2 · Mar 20, 2010

Posted wirelessly..

It seems to me that clean 3.5 and 2.8F's have even appreciated in value over the last few years, while a lot of other MF gear hasn't.
Rolleis are certainly great, but if you're happy with your current TLR why not broaden your knowledge with a different format or style of shooting (e.g. Large format or an MF rangefinder or slr). Shooting different systems has always been very rewarding to me (albeit frustrating while you're on the learning curve). Best of luck either way.

Jeff L · Mar 20, 2010

"but what concerns optics - are there noticable differences, and, mainly, advantages?"

Icono,

Not an Autocord, but I have a Yashicamat- and a Rollei 3.5F. I find that they are both excellent and deliver great image quality. Autocord are known for good lenses. The Rollei is special though. Corvettes and Porsches - two very fast cars that feel very different.

Your photos are beautiful.

Jeff

benjiboy · Mar 20, 2010

I can't see anything wrong with the shots that the O.P has taken with his Autocord that that could be improved by shooting them with a Rollie at several times the cost, If it was my camera and I wanted to spend some money, I would have the Minolta given a complete service and just enjoy it.

outwest · Mar 20, 2010

I have 2 Rolleis, a 2.8C and a 3.5F, two Autocords (one with the selenium meter), and an Ikoflex. The Yashicas have long since died and gone away. While I consider the 3.5F as the ultimate picture making machine, I would have to say that a good Autocord is the most undervalued camera I know of and I have never even thought about getting rid of mine. The ergonomics are great and the lens is as good a Tessar as you can get which means it is a very good lens. The Planar may be sharper at the corners and at wider apertures but the Tessar produces a lovely image, which is why I also like to play with the Ikoflex. If you really want to try a Rollei, be sure to get one with Xenotar or Planar so that you have a meaningful difference, but, be warned that you may actually like the Autocord's signature better.

fotch · Mar 20, 2010

I purchased a Minolta Autocord new in the 50's (I was about 11 and my uncle loaned be the money) and within a few years, the shutter crapped out. The estimate of repair was more than the value of the camera so I traded it in on something else.

I found that happen with most low price copies over the years. When I purchased my first Nikon SLR in the seventies, things changed for the better. Still have the Nikon Nikormat EL, still works.

I would prefer a used high end camera, Rollieflex, Leica, Nikon, and plan on getting a CLA if needed. These cameras are made better and more likely to last longer.

That said, if your Autocord is working, would not worry about it. The image quality was never a problem. That was mostly true with most of the lower price camera also. The longevity and consistency is what was gained.

JMHO

AmsterdamMartin · Mar 20, 2010

My only TLR is a rolleiflex-T.
When I look at your photo's I am amazed by the high quality and talent.
I guess Rolleiflex is a better camera but for you, you will not notice the difference.
Perhaps it is time for you to try something totally different, like a graflex.
If you get a Hasselblad, you WILL notice the difference with your Minolta TLR.

icono · Mar 20, 2010

All right, thanks you everyone. Again, the reason for wanting (not buying yet)) the rolleiflex is just to search and eventually find out what is really "mine", you know..
oh, yes, i had this focusing lever issue and i got it fixed about half-year ago, but it seems to be loosing again... or it's just wasn't CLA'd well, i don't know..

so i think if i find a rolleiflex bargain - i'll get it. if not - i'll wait for a bargain))
maybe you could advise on some stores or any place where already CLA'd film cameras are sold (except ebay and keh)?

p.s. btw - i do have a hasselblad, i've only tried a couple of films, and i did notice the difference. and i must say that so far this difference is not in favour of hasselblad. yet. but winter for me - is not the best time of the year to shoot, so i hope to disclose H's power in a couple of months)

dpurdy · Mar 20, 2010

Judging by the chicken and the stripped kitten and the pink flower, I would say that the Minolta must have a closer focus capability than the Rolleiflex. I am pretty certain to do those pictures with a Rollei you will need to put on the closeup Rolleinar.
Dennis

Ektagraphic · Mar 20, 2010

All I can say is WOW!!! I went out today with the Rollei for the first time and it is at the top of my favorite camera list. It was such a pleasure to shoot with! Now to develop the film and see just how good the lenses really are.....

AmsterdamMartin · Mar 20, 2010

To me CLA or not is not important, the question is CLA by whom. I mean a name and surname.
Problem is that the people who know what they are doing on these oldies, are getting fewer and fewer.
In my country I know 1 professional who is allowed to touch my old cameras. He keeps records of his work (so potential buyers can verify a CLA claim), and gives you personal guarantee for 5-10 years (Rollei, Hass, Leica).
Even in professional shops I found "CLA'd" equipment, in which I quickly found some problems (and during real CLA it turned out that wrong lubricants were used etc.)
Still more reason to get a bigger bargain on it and bring it to the right person afterwards.

tac · Mar 21, 2010

Beautiful photographs

AdrianW · Mar 22, 2010

I have to agree with outwest's response. My 2.8F Rollei TLR is one of the most amazing cameras I own both in terms of engineering, build quality and photo results. But for one sixth the price of it my Autocord III may be the best bargain. The Autocord's focusing screen is darker and there isn't the automatic parallax that the Rollei has, but the camera is lighter and the Rokkor lens is incredible.

The achilles' heel of Autocords seems to be the fragility of the focusing lever... forcing it after the lubricants have dried up can cause it to snap off. Be sure to have a proper CLA done every few years and keep that gem alive!

dynachrome · Mar 22, 2010

I still have the Autocord which I must have bought at least 25 years ago. It replaced a Yashicamat 124G. The Yashinon lens on the Yashica was very sharp but the camera was not built very well. I got tired of fixing it. Both cameras take 120 and 220 film so that wasn't an issue. The lens on the Autocord wasn't any better than the Yashinon but the rest of the camera was much better made. Most of the medium format shooting I do now is wth SLRs. If I were to buy another TLR I think I would look for a anything from a late model Rolleicord IV to a late Vb.

Anscojohn · Mar 22, 2010

While we're on focus levers: the most convenient I ever used was a Richo Diacord TLR. It had some kind of arrangement were there was a focus lever on both sides the taking lens. Cradling the camera in both hands, the fingers on each hand fell naturally on the focus levers, which moved up and down.

mablo · Mar 23, 2010

Anscojohn, you propably mean this one, Diacord L. It is a gem of a camera. Lens is in the same league with Autocord, it has a nicely working light meter and those handy focus levers are just great to use. It takes Bay-1 accessories.

Autocord vs rolleiflex

icono

Mats_A

Ektagraphic

Craig Swensson

lilserenity

mikebarger

Anscojohn

Anscojohn

icono

luvcameras

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36cm2

Jeff L

benjiboy

outwest

fotch

AmsterdamMartin

icono

dpurdy

Ektagraphic

AmsterdamMartin

tac

AdrianW

dynachrome

Anscojohn

mablo

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