Question reusing a Minolta autocord view finder

[Gabrioladude]

I wanted to try out TLR so purchased a Minolta Autocord. the viewfinderf has four grid lines spaced about 20 % from the edge of the frame. I assume the lines are there to assist you with the alignments of your horizontals and verticals. Having never used an autocord and having yet to see the results of my first film, I am starting to wonder how the final image compares to what you see in the viewfinder. I am assuming that the area inside the grid lines is not the "image area" but the actual image area approximates the full size that you see on the ground glass. Does anyone else have an Autocord and can answer this question. Thanks

 

[Nick Merritt]

You're correct -- the full viewfinder approximates what's on the film, though I'm not sure how precise that is. The gridlines are for horizontals and verticals, as you figured.

 

[Xmas]

There is no parallex correction.

 

[Gabrioladude]

Thanks for your answers (and help)

 

[Dan Daniel]

Some Autocord fresnels have small arrows cast into the plastic along the left and right side, top. These are to show the upper frame limit due to parallax at close focusing distances. If you remember to look at them

 

[summicron1]

they're probably also compositional aids -- some cameras have lines there to remind you where the horizon and so forth should be for "best" composition, the magic thirds idea. Other screens have a smaller grid of squares etched into the glass for the same reason.

Parallax is why I prefer Rolleis, but in any camera it's never been a huge problem. The Minolta very likely actually shoots a bit more than what you see in the ground glass to cover you on the parallax front.

 

[Xmas]

the user manual says they are for crop to standard paper aspect.

The rollis put a kink in the film the Autocords don't...