Minolta Autocord CDS , TLR , 120 film camera . Fully functional apart from the light meter .
Original Minolta autocord black leather case in very good condition.
I must first point out that the cameras battery powered CDS light meter is not working.
I took the camera to my local very experienced camera technician to see it f he could breath some life into the light meter . He replaced some of the wiring in it hoping that would get it working , but it looks like the cds cell is not working and he did not have a replacement one .
After replacing the wiring he did get the light meter needle to respond to move when doing a battery check , but that was as much as he was able to do a battery meters needle does respond when you do a battery check .
I’m a honesty it’s not a big issue that the light meter is not working as where it’s really matters with this camera is that the lens is good condition ( which it is ). The shutter is working correctly ( which it is ) and the aperture blades are responsive ( which they are ) . Also the focus is smooth and the focus handle is in very good condition .
I personally use a Minolta Autocord without a built in light meter as the lens in these cameras is just superb. Sharp and full of contrast and character. I use a handle held light meter when I use it as it’s very accurate and give me the results I want .
The camera is in very good cosmetic condition camera
Fully tested and working
Some minor cosmetic wear and signs of use , but generally not much to be seen . Please see images as they are part of the description
Focus works without issue and is smooth and the focus handle is undamaged .
Shutter firing well at all speeds
Self timer and frame counter tested and working
Apertures working and smooth
Viewing lens in good condition
Taking lens in good condition
No haze or fungus
No scratches to lenses
The focus screen is in good condition
The Takes 120 film giving 6x6cm image
I already own one of these cameras that I love and regularly use . They deliver superb results and the lens really does live up to its reputation of being sharp and contrasty. so from experience, I know what to look for , so the buyer knows what they are getting with this camera . I came across this one local to me and was tempted to keep it as a back up. But I know it will just end up carefully put aside and not end up being used and I’d rather someone enjoy using it as it should be .
The cameras main taking lens is a 75mm F3.5 . It is free of marks and scratches and internally there is no signs of haze or fungus . It does have a light dust particles internally that one would expect from a camera of this age , but these have no effect upon results achieved . The aperture blades move freely and have no signs of oil on them
The top viewing lens is free from marks and scratches and has no signs of haze or fungus. If does show signs of ligh dust particles internally , but these may actually be on the internal mirror . It’s hard to say if I’m honest . But the view through the viewfinder is good ( please see image included ).
The viewfinder flips up and closes correctly.
The magnifying glass flips down and its glass is mark free .
The front of the flip up screen will fold down and lock in place so you can use it’s as sports finder . You pull down on the silver to allow it to flip back up
The viewfinder finder focus screen shows very few marks , but some small dust spots that are are visible on the underneath of the focus screen when you use the flip down magnifying glass to get critical focus . However these dust spots do not distract and spoil the experience of using the camera . The view through the viewfinder is overall bright and clear . ( please see image provided of the view through it ). In all honesty , anyone with experience knows that from just going out with and using a TLR you always end up with a few dust particles on the focus screen . Just always take a dust blower with you is my advice .
The camera is in very good cosmetic condition.
It has no dents to the body work and no major scratches or marks to the black paintwork . It’s does show signs of use with lights marks here and there and the odd tiny chip of paint but nothing that stands out and take away from the overall good condition of a camera of this age old . ( please see images as they are part of the description).
The leathers are in good condition.
All dials and levers work correctly and as they should .
The focus lever is intact and undamaged ( these often are broken off ) and the focus is smooth and easy to adjust and not suffering from being seized up form the old grease that is common on these .
The shutter speed lever moves smoothly.
The aperture setting lever moves smoothly.
When you turn either the shutter speed or aperture levers there is a viewing screen on top of the camera above the viewing lens where numbers help you see what you have selected . This is working correctly.
The film advance lever and mechanism works correctly.
The film counter is working as the little window that shows is the shutter is cocked .
The lever to do a double exposure is working .
The film compartment is clean and the light seals are in good condition and no light leaks where present in the results I achieved form the camera .
Where the film advance lever is situated, there is a movable dial so you work out the focal range of a set aperture. The dial moves as it should .
The self timer is working.
There is a port where you can attach a flash cable . I have tested a flash on the camera and the camera will fire a flash .
The shutter button works correctly and will also work with a cable release after testing one in it . The outer ring of the shutter button twists and there is a two dots , one black , one red that you line up as a shutter lock to prevent the camera from releasing the shutter .
One very important piece of information that I am aware of and is also stated in the camera user manual is “DO NOT ADVANCE AND WIND ON THE FILM ADVANCE LEVER WHEN THE SHUTTER IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION” . It can possibly cause damage to the shutter mechanism if you do . So I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the buyer reads the online camera instruction manual before using the camera so they use it properly and cause it no harm as it is working perfectly .
The original Minolta leather case for the camera is in used , but good , solid overall conditionand not coming apart anywhere . It’s shows signs of use with little marks and light scuffs and casing to some of the original colour , but nothing that takes away from a lovely old vintage leather camera case .
The camera is held securely in place in the case but a threaded round nut that threads into the cameras tripod thread .
I’ve tried my best to provide a detailed description of of the camera and case with clear images . If I’ve missed anything , please feel free to ask any questions. More images can be provided .
The camera will be very carefully boxed and posted Royal Mail 48 tracked and signed for . Buyer pays for postage.
I have found some online reviews of the Minolta autocord and also a online copy of the camera’s instruction manual . Just copy and paste any of the links below into your web browser.
https://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_autocord_cds.pdf
https://fredmath.wixsite.com/minolta-autocord-en
https://www.35mmc.com/10/11/2020/minolta-autocord-cds-review/
https://casualphotophile.com/2014/11/08/minolta-autocord-medium-format-camera-review/
https://youtu.be/SpAfWTKUk-s?si=IH008V_kye-m7O7X
https://youtu.be/iY0MjbwqQ7k?si=-gEyNdGhP4JmdSa7
https://youtu.be/j9nvW8imi9A?si=8CjwVp-3oidrbVI1
https://youtu.be/vJCIqzBsgGM?si=WITp0caw6cbahDT3
https://www.35mmc.com/24/05/2021/minolta-autocord-tlr-first-impressions-by-sroyon/
https://www.tobiaskey.com/minolta-autocord-tlr-film-camera-review/
https://medium.com/@Nowhereman_13/minolta-autocord-still-good-in-2022-3425a0466850