Minolta Autocords--Refurbished

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
Couple of weeks ago I picked up two Minolta Autocords (each a metered L-MX model) off the Bay.

Autocord on the left was in rough cosmetic shape, but it fired. I put a roll of film through it, and concluded that the shutter speeds were off as the exposures weren't all that great. Also, every control lever was a bit stiff to move, including focusing arm (which was bent), shutter/aperture dials and film advance.

Autocord on the right was in better cosmetic condition, and while all controls were smooth, it wouldn't fire.









Sent them both off to Karl Bryan, who indicated that each was fixable. So, I had him do his magic. I also had him install new "leatherettes" purchased through Camera Leather (these are in fact not leather, but from their "textiles" line).

Got the cameras back a few days ago. They look gorgeous. All controls are smooth as butter now. On one of them, the meter was no longer working, so Karl removed the meter on the side (as well as the side plate) and converted it to a "non-metered" model (though the sensor cells were left as-is).





And here they are with my other L-MX Autocord.





 

gone

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
5,504
Location
gone
Format
Medium Format
Those would make great Christmas presents! Well, can't blame me for trying.
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,852
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Nice share.

These look great, thank you for posting.
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
eli griggs said:
Nice share.

These look great, thank you for posting.
Click to expand...

Thanks. These are amazing little machines. And I prefer to revive them instead of seeing them get tossed. They are each approximately 60 years old, and with this latest CLA and refurb, they should easily last another 60.
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
Well.... I guess three Autocords wasn't enough. Picked up another one. This time, this one appears to be an RG-2 model (with an RG-3 viewfinder top).

Here are the "before" photos...





I once again sent it off to Karl Bryan, who essentially overhauled it and got it back into tip-top shape. Also had Karl install a new fabric covering in Parade Green from CameralLeather.com. Received the camera yesterday.





Am quite pleased with the results...

And a photo of all three Autocords I've had Karl Bryan work on to date...

 
Last edited:

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,763
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
Mount them on a T bar and do 3 color separations! Easy enough to remember which color filter to use on each camera...

Buy a few more and you can do "bullet time".
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,852
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Outstanding group of fine Cameras.

I'm suppose to get out sometime this week for a day-trip with my cameras and I'll take my Autocord along, with some Fuji Acros original just for fun.

This film is super nice with pyro and polished cars/metal are especially nice.

Thank you for continuing to share your Autocord adventures, I look forward to seeing more chapters!

Eli
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,885
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
Might be the green I have on my Autocord. I like the feel of that fabric covering from Cameraleather. A little tooth from the weave and the acrylic topcoat (and I hadn't noticed that the fabric weave is a close match t othe background of 'AUTOCORD' name badge).
 

Attachments

  • Autocord_EP56120.jpg
    1.7 MB · Views: 102
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format

Yes, looks to be the same "Parade Green" covering. I believe there are two (or three) other "greens" to choose from, but I went with this one because it was a bit more subtle. And yes, I do like the feel of the fabric coverings. In retrospect, I'm sorta wishing that I had taken the time beforehand to repaint certain parts of the bodies, mainly the hood and the back plate, including stripping the old paint and putting on some new coats. Sort of difficult to do now with the possibility of damaging the new coverings.
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format

What I love best about these old war horses is how they're still able to capture wonderful images! Here's an example of a photo I took with the "blue" Autocord above this last New Year's Eve. Kodak Portra 400 with a Metz 45 CL-4 flash. Shot @ f/11 and 1/125th, with flash set at ISO400 and f/11.

 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,852
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Yes, they produce outstanding images and the ability to make whisper quite photographs is a far cry from the beautiful 'kaah..lopph' of the Hasselblad 500 c/m, and I feel in a public setting, a tangible asset in 'street photography' much like the Canon QL17 or Minolta 9 rangefinders.

These are simply outstanding cameras and I like that mine is as old as I am, a spiritual brother.

Cheers!
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format

If I'm not using the flash, after taking a shot of someone, they always comment, "What? You already took the photo?"

Grin.
 

rulnacco

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
249
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Format
Medium Format
Wow, that's a lovely quartet of Autocords you have there! So pleased you've given new life to such great cameras. Have loads of fun with them!
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
Well.... that didn't take long.

Another Autocord arrived today fresh from a Karl Bryan CLA. This one appears to be an RG-2 version with Optiper MVL shutter and Minolta Rokkor taking lens. Leatherette on this one is still in decent condition, so left it as-is. This is my first Autocord that has a working self-timer! Also came with a Minolta lens cover.







BTW.... there's two more in my possession to be sent off to Karl.
 
Last edited:

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,885
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
Duceman said:
BTW.... there's two more in my possession to be sent off to Karl.
Click to expand...

I've been wondering where all the Autocords have been going recently! Great to see them being refurbished. Are you collecting, or do you plan to get some of these in other people's hands for regular use?
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,852
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Keep a close eye on your Minolta lens cover, I've never had mine fall off, but I take pains to make sure it stays with the camera.
 
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
Kino said:
GASsssss...
Click to expand...

Compared to my other hobby, and what I've already got invested in Canon L-glass, Hasselblads and my Mamiya 7ii, I've barely scratched the surface with these Autocords, which are a relative bargain.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

Duceman

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
660
Location
Home
Format
Multi Format
Dan Daniel said:
Are you collecting, or do you plan to get some of these in other people's hands for regular use?
Click to expand...

I suppose at this point it's more collecting, as I can only use so many. However, I presently have no plans on letting any of them go. I'm a Minolta fan, and when I discovered these Autocords, and how well they can take photos, I started picking them up on the Bay and elsewhere. Many of them are sold "as-is/parts" with no returns, but with one exception (it was beyond repair), Karl Bryan has gotten all of them to function. I'd probably have a difficult time getting back what I have in them, but on the other hand, I like knowing that once they are up and running again, they'll most likely last another 60+ years. These are nice little machines, and are cheaper than having a Rolleiflex addiction.
 

gone

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
5,504
Location
gone
Format
Medium Format
These have such great lenses on them. I had a 1 roll shootout between mine and a 'blad w/ an 80 Planar, and there was very little difference in the negatives between them. The Rokkor was sharper, at the expense of a little loss of resolution in the details and shadows, and it had a touch more 3D effect. The 80 Planar on the 'blad had great IQ, but nothing made it standout.

It's hard to buy a MF TLR w/ a bad lens. Even the 3 element lenses have their charms, the Novars and Triotars especially.
 

GRHazelton

Subscriber
Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
2,248
Location
Jonesboro, G
Format
Multi Format
I also love my Autocord for its quiet manner and fine images.
Speaking of LOUD, my Bronica S2a is probably far louder than your Hassy. The Bronia fires with a thunder clap which makes horses rear, some women swoon, and little children run screaming in fear. Hardly a stealth shooter, but if you want to attract attention,.....
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,852
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
The first baffle bag I ever saw was used on a Hasselblad camera, to damp down the shutter sound, a camera which was invented by a birder and, there are times I think I'd like one of my own but a 350mm or 500mm lens, and perhaps a 2x teleconverter, is more likely just to have real distance from skittish wildlife.

The Autocord is so non-intrusive, interchangeable lenses sometimes seems the only real reason for more in a 6x6 cm camera, but no quite.

I do sometimes think having a Hasselblad adjustable chimney might be fun but these cameras are so nice, as is, that'll just be guilding the Lily.
 
Last edited:

CJG

Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Messages
54
Location
Mountains of New Mexico
Format
Medium Format
Duceman said:
Compared to my other hobby, and what I've already got invested in Canon L-glass, Hasselblads and my Mamiya 7ii, I've barely scratched the surface with these Autocords, which are a relative bargain.
Click to expand...

I think these cameras have the best price to image quality ratio there is!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…