Minolta Autocord: How smooth is the focus lever supposed to be?

Zzm · Feb 15, 2017

Hi,

I recently received my first TLR, a Minolta Autocord, and it seems to be in great condition. I have understood that the focus lever is the weak point in this camera, and that I have to watch out for resistance in the focus lever and be careful not to break it. But since I don't have any reference, I'm not sure how smooth the focus lever is supposed to be when properly lubricated. Mine has a fair amount of resistance, but not so much that I would have given it much thought if I wasn't aware of the focus lever issue. It probably takes around 2 seconds to move it all the way over to infinity. Should there be almost no resistance at all?

Thanks in advance!

Nick Merritt · Feb 15, 2017

That seems a little stiff to me. You should be able to swing it very quickly back and forth.

faberryman · Feb 15, 2017

I had mine CLAed by Karl Bryan and the focus lever now moves like a hot knife through butter.

guangong · Feb 15, 2017

I had an Autocord in very early 1960s. As I remember focusing was very smooth with just enough resistance to maintain the desired focus. Any undo force is a bad sign. However, the lenses are very, very good, especially considering the price. Size of camera also a plus...about the same as a Rollei. (I often wondered why those using a Mamiya 300 series just didn't go all the way and use a Gowlanfles 45 (not sure of spelling but don't waste time correcting).

hsandler · Feb 15, 2017

I have had two Autocords. The focus was similar to yours on the first, and the lever never broke. On the next one, the lever did not break, but the assembly came loose from the helicoid after a couple of months (i.e. you could move the lever and the lens board did not move in and out). I sent it to Karl Bryan for repair and lubrication. He reported that the "grub screws" had come loose and were slipping. Now that he's lubricated and fixed it, it takes just a light touch to move it now--"a hot knife through butter" as faberryman put it. I could probably rack it from one end to the other in 3/4 of a second.

Konical · Feb 15, 2017

Good Morning, Faberryman,

I have an Autocord which I haven't used in at least two decades because of the focus lever problem. Can you provide contact information for Karl Bryan?

Konical

faberryman · Feb 15, 2017

Konical said:
Can you provide contact information for Karl Bryan?

karl.kathy@frontier.com

Zzm · Feb 15, 2017

Thank you so much for your answers! So I guess som lubrication wouldn't hurt. But would you advise against using the camera with a slow focus lever, or should it be okay if I'm very careful with it?

Harry Stevens · Feb 15, 2017

With all this knife through butter stuff it's a wonder how the focus lever ever stays at it's sweet spot.

jgoody · Feb 15, 2017

Mine is very smooth -- I think the description that there is enough resistance to keep the lever where you set it is correct. If it's overly stiff then it's probably binding and needs lubrication. Obviously it's a subjective evaluation - on my Autocord I wouldn't say I could move it from CU to infinity as fast as twisting the focus on a 35mm rangefinder -- it's a more deliberate process -- but I don't feel that it's "binding" either. I would think the main thing is not to force it and whether it feels smooth. I am glad you brought this up as the responses are useful to read. I haven't tried to see how fast I can move the lever as I tend to baby old cameras -- and focussing a TLR seems to be a more deliberate process than a rangefinder camera

Konical · Feb 15, 2017

Good Afternoon, Faberryman,

Thanks for the information on Karl Bryan; I think my Autocord is worth a fix.

Konical

Paul in Arizona · Feb 15, 2017

Konical:
I had an Autocord given to me. Hadn't been used for 30+ years. Everything was WAY beyond stiff -all frozen, nothing moved at all.
Karl Bryan did what amounted to a major overhaul and I had it back in a little over a week. Everything is like new now. Cost $225 but worth it.

Trask · Feb 15, 2017

For those with an interest in Autocords, note that a vendor (no affiliation) on Shapeways is selling a replacement focusing lever/ring for $60:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/V...cus-lever-repair-restoration?optionId=8028043

My Autocord doesn't need a new lever so I have no direct experience of this product.

Dan Daniel · Feb 16, 2017

If you cradle the camera in your left palm, you should be able to focus using just your index finger to move the lever by pressure on the side of the knob. Be aware that if you have any pressure on the lens panel- such as from your right hand fingers- you can stiffen or bind up the focusing action.

BMbikerider · Feb 16, 2017

The Achilles heel of the Autocord focussing is the the lever. They are so very easily bent and eventually they will break off. The knob on the side of the body is a far better system. Having said that the lens is superb and well worth buying one

Dan Daniel · Feb 16, 2017

BMbikerider said:
The Achilles heel of the Autocord focussing is the the lever. They are so very easily bent and eventually they will break off. The knob on the side of the body is a far better system. Having said that the lens is superb and well worth buying one

I would say that the metal used for the Autocord lever is the Achilles heel. The basic design I find much better than the cams and sliding rails system that Rollei developed (and Yashica used). Here are some photos of the Minolta focus system-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/18067251@N04/albums/72157626869741228
Solid metal parts in basically a unbreakable assembly. Except, of course, the focus lever- huge flaw. I've seen the front lens panel cracked and displaced; the shutter and aperture dials were jammed but the lens was still aligned. There are a couple of photos of the Yashica focus system- the lens panel rides on thin plates, and the lens can get out of alignment or have problems much easier than the Minolta.

The metal used by Minolta is so obviously limited. The only explanation I have as to why Minolta never improved this is that it is some sort of a fuse, a part designed to fail first in order to prevent greater damage. I don't get it at all.

Some day I will make my ultimate TLR- an f/3.5 Xenotar from a Rolleiflex installed on a Minolta Autocord body (with steel focus lever). The shutter will take the lens, and the rest of the modifications will be simple.

Lurker · Feb 16, 2017

I just went through this with my Autocord. In my mind the focus lever felt well damped, but not stiff. Karl Bryan disagreed. Considering he's probably seen 1,000 Autocords, and I had just that one, I deferred to his expertise and had him fix it. It is so much smoother now. It was taking a couple of seconds to move through the full range of focus. Now it is a lot swifter, but certainly not floppy or loose. Having the focus lever on the bottom works great when I'm using a monopod.

Another recommendation for Karl Bryan. He did a fantastic job. The whole camera feels like new again. He was quick too. The camera was gone less than a week, and that includes time for shipping. I enjoy shooting it now that everything is working properly. It makes a difference when I can be confident that the camera is doing what I'm telling it to. Now I just need to tell it to do the right things...

indy_kid · Sep 14, 2017

Trask said:
For those with an interest in Autocords, note that a vendor (no affiliation) on Shapeways is selling a replacement focusing lever/ring for $60:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/V...cus-lever-repair-restoration?optionId=8028043

My Autocord doesn't need a new lever so I have no direct experience of this product.

Just received two (2) of the 3D-printed focusing levers from Shapeways. The finish is rough (somewhat to be expected), and they lack the 4 drilled and tapped holes for the set screws that hold the lever in place!! These are *tiny* set screws; I doubt few of the folks here has the tools to properly drill and tap the holes.

So, if you go with Shapeways, expect a hell of a lot more work when the lever arrives, and pray you don't damage the ring while doing the additional machining required. Otherwise, that's on you, not them, and I doubt they would refund your money.

I've asked for a refund, and *suggested* they update the description of the ring to indicate much more work will be required before it can be considered a "replacement".

Konical · Sep 14, 2017

Good Evening,

I strongly second Lurker's comment on the work of Karl Bryan. He recently worked on my Autocord's frozen focusing mechanism. The camera works like new. In addition the work was done very promptly; the camera went from Illinois to Oregon and back in only eight or nine days. Communications with him were also very pleasant.

Now--I need someone equally competent to work on my Yashica-Mat 124G!

Konical

GRHazelton · Sep 15, 2019

The fact that the shutter release presses IN on the lens board is IMHO about the only ergonomic flaw in the Autocord. Rollei uses pressure sort of parallel with the lens board, enabling use of a conventional cable release, rather than the angled one (made of Unobtainium) needed for the Autocord, to prevent showing up in the picture. Although a really floppy fabric covered cable release might work....

one90guy · Sep 15, 2019

I had a Autocord about 5 years ago, has for as I know it had never been Clawed but the focus on mine was very smooth and easy. That was one I sold to buy something else and always regarded it.

David

Minolta Autocord: How smooth is the focus lever supposed to be?

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