Minolta Autocord CDS III a mystery to me……

JDR · Oct 13, 2021

Just came back to film photography and found an old Autocord given tome years ago. Glass looks good, focus arm is intact and is functional, although it feels a little dampened. Sport finder and film counter do not work. Shutter sound like it works, and meter tests ok. Looking forward to using after finding someone to perform a CLA and whatever else is needed.

all comments / advice is appreciated.

thanks, JDR

Dan Daniel · Oct 13, 2021

Film counter will only work if there is film in the camera. Or you can use backing paper only as a tester. The wind action happens in the bottom chamber while the silver gear in upper chamber, left side, is actually driving the counter forward.

Konical · Oct 13, 2021

Good Morning, JDR,
Use the Search function here on APUG to get info on Karl Bryan. His service on Autocords is excellent, fast, and reasonable in price.

Konical

wiltw · Oct 13, 2021

Having a manual helps
https://www.butkus.org/chinon/minolta/minolta_autocord/minolta_autocord.htm

JDR · Oct 13, 2021

Konical said:
Good Morning, JDR,
Use the Search function here on APUG to get info on Karl Bryan. His service on Autocords is excellent, fast, and reasonable in price.

Konical[

Dan Daniel said:
Film counter will only work if there is film in the camera. Or you can use backing paper only as a tester. The wind action happens in the bottom chamber while the silver gear in upper chamber, left side, is actually driving the counter forward.

Awesome! Thanks to Konica and Dan! Reaching out to Karl Bryan now.

JDR · Oct 14, 2021

Just out of curiosity.......when the camera is empty what should the film counter say? (0 or 12?). BTW, the Autocord is being packed and sent to Karl this morning.

removedacct1 · Oct 14, 2021

The Autocord frame counter doesn't work unless you put film in the camera. Dan Daniel is also an excellent Autocord CLA specialist.

hsandler · Oct 14, 2021

JDR said:
Just out of curiosity.......when the camera is empty what should the film counter say? (0 or 12?). BTW, the Autocord is being packed and sent to Karl this morning.

It should reset to 0. Opening the back allows a spring-loaded pin to come out. It may be sluggish if the grease in the reset mechanism or pin dried up. By the way, Karl Bryan did a great job on my Autocord a few years back. He also installed new leatherette for not much money and it was well worth it. In both Autocords that I have owned, and from what I've heard from others, the leatherette has a tendency to unglue, dry up and flake off.

Dan Daniel · Oct 14, 2021

hsandler said:
It should reset to 0. Opening the back allows a spring-loaded pin to come out.

Also the wind lever needs to be in the rest position, about 11 o'clock.

Karl Bryan will take care of all of this, and also explain some of the quirks of using an Autocord like needing to put the lever at the rest position when opening the camera.

250swb · Oct 14, 2021

Most of your questions are answered if you download a manual for it.

JDR · Oct 14, 2021

Dan Daniel said:
Also the wind lever needs to be in the rest position, about 11 o'clock.

Karl Bryan will take care of all of this, and also explain some of the quirks of using an Autocord like needing to put the lever at the rest position when opening the camera.

Thanks Dan. You’re right. I sent tithe camera to Karl and emailed him to let him know. I mentioned the issue and he said likely to be a spring tension adjustment or some other issue. Whatever it is he’ll take care of it. Karl’s stellar reputation is well deserved. Having shot 35mm all my life, I’m anxious to work with a larger negative.

JDR · Oct 19, 2021

Hi All,
I just got word that Karl finished working on the Autocord and it is ready to be shipped. You were all right. Karl is a pleasure to deal with and his prices are more than reasonable. Looking forward to using my “new” camera. It may be medium format to you, but after40 years of 35mm it is huge to me!

(Hmmmm, now what film shall I use?).

Again, thanks to all!

best,

jdr

Zathras · Oct 19, 2021

JDR said:
Hi All,
I just got word that Karl finished working on the Autocord and it is ready to be shipped. You were all right. Karl is a pleasure to deal with and his prices are more than reasonable. Looking forward to using my “new” camera. It may be medium format to you, but after40 years of 35mm it is huge to me!

(Hmmmm, now what film shall I use?).

Again, thanks to all!

best,

jdr

I think you'll be happy with the camera. Karl worked on my Autocord a few years ago and did an excellent job.
The camera came back working perfectly and looking like new.

JDR · Oct 21, 2021

Well!I got my Autocord back today and you were all correct. Karl did an amazing job, CLA, fixed the counter and other things that I wasn’t aware of. Now the focus is smooooth with minimal damping. The viewfinder is clean and bright. Very reasonable and quick turnaround. Awaiting the film that I ordered then it’s time for a road trip.

GRHazelton · Oct 21, 2021

Fellow Autocord owners please remember that Dan Daniels is an excellent guy for Autocord work. I have one of his efforts and it is a gem.

Zathras · Oct 21, 2021

GRHazelton said:
Fellow Autocord owners please remember that Dan Daniels is an excellent guy for Autocord work. I have one of his efforts and it is a gem.

I understand he's quite good with just about any TLR made. I'm thinking of sending him a Rolleicord IV to play with when the budget allows.
When I sent my Autocord to Karl years ago I didn't know about Dan, but Karl did a great job so I don't hesitate to recommend him for Autocords.
We're very fortunate to have both Dan and Karl around to take care of our cameras.

JDR · Oct 28, 2021

Just shot my first few rolls of film.....Tri-X 400 and Portra 400 to start.....What an easy camera to compose with, although I doubt anything I took will be great. Can't wait to see the results and already thinking of getting a second Autocord. It would be great to take the same image in color and black and white, but I digress......

Also beginning the quest to finding a strap for the autocord cdsIII, knowing that they are so hard to find... I plan on using the camera a lot and it would be great to have that extra bit of protection.

Slàinte Mhaith......

JDR · Oct 30, 2021

I realize that I’m starting like a broken record but my thanks to all in this forum for helping me transition to medium format photography. The Autocord is so easy to compose and capture images (plus that huge negative when compared to 35mm. Plus, the Autocord is so ergonomic in it’s design, despite the issues regarding the focusing knob. Took test rolls in color and b&w and got the exposure pretty close……with the CDS no less. That said I’ll use a hold held meter for critical shots. Going on a road trip in a few weeks, can’t wait.

Again, my thanks,

JDR

Minolta Autocord CDS III a mystery to me……

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