Minolta Autocord CLA Q:

[Paul in Arizona]

I was just given a Minolta Autocord. Cosmetically excellent except for some drying leather. Glass is crystal clear. BUT-- everything mechanical is frozen. He said he hasn't used it in 30 years.
Of course a first thought is for a CLA and new leather.

Who would you sent it to for this and what is the typical cost?

Against the idea of restoration is that I don't really need it. I already have and intermittently use 2 Yashica TLRs and 2 Rolleiflex' in perfect working order. Whether I do this or not may depend on the cost of restoration. If in the Rolleiflex price range this will become an art object and no more. This would then join a pristine Yashica 44 I just bought. That Yashica 44 is completely functional in all respects except for the lack of 127 film. Drat!

TIA

 

[faberryman]

Karl Bryan services Minolta Autocords. He did a wonderful job bringing my 1959 model up to snuff in no time. The focusing mechanism now glides like a hot knife through butter. You can contact him at karl.kathy@frontier.com. Highly recommended.

 

[Trask]

I've heard good things about Karl -- and I too have an Autocord that needs his TLC.

 

[Chrismat]

Karl Bryan is the one to send it to. The last Autocord I sent to him cost $127. He's well worth it.

 

[hsandler]

+1 for Karl Bryan. He did a great job on mine, and very fast turnaround.

 

[jgoody]

Make sure you don't force the focus lever if its stiff or frozen -- they have been known to break !

 

[Zathras]

Karl Bryan services Minolta Autocords. He did a wonderful job bringing my 1959 model up to snuff in no time. The focusing mechanism now glides like a hot knife through butter. You can contact him at karl.kathy@frontier.com. Highly recommended.

Karl serviced my Autocord a couple of years ago. I can recommend him with complete confidence.

 

[Paul in Arizona]

Karl sent his services/price list promptly. Very reasonable prices. Thanks guys.

Next Q: the original leather(ette) isn't going to get any better so it seems logical to replace it. Karl recommends cameraleather,com as a supply source. Looking on line there are numerous threads with complaints about erratic service and often no communication from that company. Scary.
Has anyone used Hugostudio? http://hugostudio.com/index.html

Also, the metal logo in the center of the viewing hood is missing. Any possible source of replacement or should that area simply be covered with leather?

 

[faberryman]

I recently ordered replacement leatherette for my Autocord from cameraleathers.com and it came in less than a week. The logo circle on the viewfinder of my Autocord was only held in place by the leatherette so it is easy to understand how yours may have fallen off if the old leatherette is losing its adhesion. Karl may have an extra one. Otherwise, I would ask Morgan to send the leatherette circle cutout when he sends you the replacement leatherette.

 

[hsandler]

I suspect the original leatherette or the choice of glue was a weak point of Autocords. I have had two and both had the leatherette literally flaking off. Many I see for sale have poor cosmetics. Karl luckily had a set of "sharkskin" n stock and replaced the leatherette on mine for not much more than cameraleathers cost. By contrast, the Ricoh Diacord I had of the same vintage had the original leatherette in splendid condition. (It was the rest of the camera that was falling apart).

 

[Theo Sulphate]

....
That Yashica 44 is completely functional in all respects except for the lack of 127 film. Drat!

127 film is available new - Blue Moon (advertiser on this site) sells it, processes it, and prints it.

I am not affiliated with them in any way.

 

[Paul in Arizona]

I have been negligent about posting an update on this camera.
I sent it to Karl just before Xmas. He is an outstanding communicator. Seems that he did the complete job in a day or so. Door-to-door return time was around 10 days, even with the mail delays over Xmas and new Year long weekends.
It looks great and everything works flawlessly although not film tested yet.
The camera was reborn.
Thanks for the recommendation.