MINOLTA AUTOCORD export model

anthonym3 · Mar 17, 2025

I just bought the camera and I am puzzled. The viewing lens reads 1:3.2, taking lens 1:3.5, aperture dial optimum aperture 3.6. Also thoughts about the camera, pros, cons?

Tel · Mar 17, 2025

A distinction without a difference: they’re all in the same ballpark. Viewing lens doesn’t matter really, since it doesn’t affect exposure—as long as you get a nice bright image in the VF and can pull focus easily, it’s good. On the taking lens, your efffective aperture is f/3.6, since that’s the maximum opening of the diaphragm. The extra fraction of a millimeter between the maximum potential of the lens at wide-open and the f/3.6 is too small to be concerned about. That said, these are great cameras; once you get accustomed to the focus control (being underneath the lens rather than on the side of the camera) you’ll find they’re easy to handle, not terribly heavy for 120 TLR cameras, and the optical quality is very good.

anthonym3 · Mar 17, 2025

Tel said:
A distinction without a difference: they’re all in the same ballpark. Viewing lens doesn’t matter really, since it doesn’t affect exposure—as long as you get a nice bright image in the VF and can pull focus easily, it’s good. On the taking lens, your efffective aperture is f/3.6, since that’s the maximum opening of the diaphragm. The extra fraction of a millimeter between the maximum potential of the lens at wide-open and the f/3.6 is too small to be concerned about. That said, these are great cameras; once you get accustomed to the focus control (being underneath the lens rather than on the side of the camera) you’ll find they’re easy to handle, not terribly heavy for 120 TLR cameras, and the optical quality is very good.

Thank you.

jgoody · Mar 29, 2025

One thing to be aware of with this excellent camera. The focus lever is very brittle - handle gently and do not try to bend it if it seems to need it, or force it if the focus is stiff (needs lubing) -- it will snap. There are modern replacements that can be fitted if yours gives way. If you do need a repairman shoot me a message and I will lookup who fixed mine. Other that that it's a great TLR!

loccdor · Mar 29, 2025

It's normal for the Autocords to have a slightly faster viewing lens. It helps with focusing and they were not constrained as much by sharpness concerns when designing a viewing lens.

Are you sure the 3.6 is not really a 3.5 in a font that makes it look similar? Anyway, that's a tiny difference in light level, less of an impact than shutter variation. You can ignore it.

I think the Autocords are the best value in TLRs. I had one, sold it, regretted it, bought another. Karl Bryan sells and services them, very experienced, reasonable, and quick.

MTGseattle · Mar 29, 2025

I'll throw another positive out there for at least contacting Karl. He highly recommends running some film through an Autocord before sending it to him to identify problems/possible problems. This is a refreshing viewpoint from the shrinking field of camera repair people.

jgoody · Mar 29, 2025

Karl was the excellent tech who replaced my broken focus arm and tuned up the camera -- did it quickly too!
BTW I took a look at my f stops and oddly enough the dial says 3.6 wide open although the lens says 3.5 on it -- interesting trivia -- but not a problem shooting!

anthonym3 · Apr 2, 2025

jgoody said:
Karl was the excellent tech who replaced my broken focus arm and tuned up the camera -- did it quickly too!
BTW I took a look at my f stops and oddly enough the dial says 3.6 wide open although the lens says 3.5 on it -- interesting trivia -- but not a problem shooting!

anthonym3 · Apr 2, 2025

Yes the odd numbers are interesting.

OAPOli · Apr 2, 2025

The 3.6 on the aperture dial is for the "index" exposure system. You're supposed to add the numbers on the shutter and diaphragm dials to match the EV from your meter. f/3.5 is 0.4 of a stop faster than f/4.

MINOLTA AUTOCORD export model

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