Minolta Autocord CDS II medium format TLR film
camera. Made in Japan. Serial # 404578. Late model circa 1964.
Camera uses 120 size film. Format size is 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches or 6x6 cm.
Camera has built in light meter. ISO range is
6-25000. Shutter is leaf type and speed range is 1 second - 1/500 and B. Close
focus is 3.5 feet or 1 meter. The lens is a Rokkor 75mm f/3.5. Aperture range f/3.5-f/22. Camera is in Ex++ or 8.5 of 10 cosmetic condition. Black finish, paint and
scales are nice. No dents or dings. Working order. Few minor marks around on this nice fairly clean camera. Someone's social security number is engraved on the bottom of the front lens plate(see last photo). Clean
viewfinder. Fairly good lens focusing. The focus lever on this camera is slightly bent, and you have to push down on the lever to get the focus moving if you are in the infinity position. The focus lever mover pretty freely once you get it moving by pushing down on the lever. Little stiff spot in the center of the focusing scale, but the camera still focuses ok. Smooth working film advance. Working light meter(LR50 battery).
Shutter in good working order. Lens has clean glass. Clean front and rear
elements. Nice coating. No coating marks, scratches or
separation. Few dust spots inside (could be seen with flashlight
ONLY). Clean and smooth aperture blades. Nice Minolta Autocord CDS II TLR
camera for film shooters, students or just as a spare medium format back up
camera in nice clean condition. Comes with Minolta instructions, and lens cap. This camera is being sold AS-IS NO Return or Exchange due to the bent focus lever, and the ss# engraving.
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The Minolta Autocord is
a fully-mechanical twin-lens reflex camera which takes 6×6cm photos on
medium-format film. Produced from 1955–66, the Autocord came in a different
variations. Some take 120 film only while others take both 120 and 220.
Probably the most significant variation is that the L and CDS models have a
light meter (selenium for the Ls, CdS for the CDSs). Other differences are
relatively minor, like cosmetic changes to the nameplate or slightly different
shutter speed sequences. All variants share some common features including a
superb taking lens – a Rokkor 75mm f/3.5 with four elements in three groups
(Tessar-type). An unusual feature of the Minolta Autocord, common to all
versions, is the focusing mechanism – a protruding lever below the lens board
(pictured below). Quite a few reviewers seem to think the lever is an ergonomic
improvement over other TLRs, many of which have a focusing knob on the side of
the camera. The lever is also convenient for Zone Focusing. Minolta
Autocord I is a late model among the popular Autocord series of TLR (Twin
Lens Reflex) medium-format cameras. It was first introduced in 1965. This
meterless camera is equipped with a Citizen-MVL shutter and a Minolta Rokkor 1:3.5
f=75mm taking lens. Autocord II added 220 film compatibility. The counter
can can only go up to 12, but can be reset to begin at 1 for exposure 13-24,
this can be done with a slider knob on the crank side of the body. The film
chamber had a pressure plate for selecting 12 or 24 exp. The Autocord
III is similar to previous but adds a 24 exposure counter. Rotate the dial
to the correct exposure number. The corresponding meter versions was known as
the Minolta Autocord CDS, Autocord CDS II and Autocord CDS
III. The name plate has been replaced with the meter reading unit. It has three
settings, off, low and high. This can be adjusted by rotating the round lens
sensor dial on left hand side. It uses the RM-1R 1.4v mercury battery which is
located on the right dial. There is a BC button to check the condition of the
battery. On the left hand side of the body, the meter display has ISO selection
of 6 to 25,000 ASA.
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Sells AS-IS with NO RESERVE at a price of $395. I have LOT more Minolta Autocord TLR Cameras and spare BRAND NEW parts, Yashica TLR cameras and accessories, Medium Format FILM cameras and lenses, Large Format cameras and Lenses, Vintage and Collectibles and Soft Focus Lenses. More great buys on my other Auctions, eBay Store and Web Page