Minolta Autocord 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"...... ?

Dewman · 01-28-2020, 01:22 PM

In the cache of camera gear I've been asked to dispose of by my friend's widow is a Minolta Autocord 2 1/4" x 2 1/4". It has a 78mm f:3.5 Rokkor lens. It seems to be functionally sound but looks like it could use a very thorough cleaning.

Are these cameras of any value? I'm not interested in selling it outside of the Pentax Marketplace, but I don't know anything about them.

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Last edited by Dewman; 01-28-2020 at 01:35 PM.

mtl_pentaxian · 01-28-2020, 04:40 PM

It’s a TLR which shoots 6cm x 6cm negatives on 120 film. The Minolta Autocord is well regarded. Check ended listings on the auction site for an idea as to price.

stevebrot · 01-28-2020, 06:10 PM - **1 Like**

The Autocord is very highly regarded by several members of Pentax Forums. I am definitely anticipating when this batch comes to market. BTW...I would leave it to the purchaser to do whatever repair or service might be needed. It is unlikely you would recoup the cost in a higher purchase price.

Steve

Dewman · 01-28-2020, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The Autocord is very highly regarded by several members of Pentax Forums. I am definitely anticipating when this batch comes to market. BTW...I would leave it to the purchaser to do whatever repair or service might be needed. It is unlikely you would recoup the cost in a higher purchase price.

Steve

No Steve, I don't intend to try any cleaning other than a little "lipstick brush." Is there any value to the old fashioned "Camcorder" that took the video cassette? I have three or four of them, Sony, Ricoh. I would imagine it's sort of like having a couple of electric typewriters, huh?

stevebrot · 01-28-2020, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

I would imagine it's sort of like having a couple of electric typewriters, huh?

I would imagine typewriters would be worth more. Strangely enough, there is a market for them for business tasks much as their remains a market for dot-matrix printers.

Steve

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-28-2020, 09:57 PM

That's what my dad used for wedding photography. Very impressive viewfinder.

tuco · 01-30-2020, 10:56 AM

I'd certainly take pictures with that camera. I can't say any specifics about that brand of a TLR. But some things that might come with age include a yellowing focus matte, slow or sticking leaf shutter and a stiff winder from gummy lubricant in the gearing. Perhaps get a roll of film just to run it through the camera to get a feel of the transport and asses its slowest shutter speeds before you sell it just so you can say something more about it than its appearance.

Last edited by tuco; 01-30-2020 at 11:01 AM.

Dewman · 01-30-2020, 03:37 PM

I took some new photos of it today and I'm going to list it on the Marketplace, basically "as-is." Everything seems to work as-advertised, but I'm not going to run any film through it. I'll leave that surprise to the new owner.

Astro-Baby · 01-31-2020, 11:24 AM

One just popped up on ebay uk from a dealer, listed as near mint asking £249

Dewman · 01-31-2020, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Astro-Baby

One just popped up on ebay uk from a dealer, listed as near mint asking £249

Well, I guess the price I asked on the Market Place might be quite a bargain for someone, eh?

**Sholom** · 01-31-2020, 04:11 PM

There were several iterations and models of the Autocord, the one at the top of this thread being a fairly early one I believe. Since there isn't a large market for these cameras it is hard to put valuations on these various models. i guess much would depend on the condition of both lenses, the focusing lever (which is reportedly brittle on some versions although solid on both of my Autocords), and the reflex mirror on the viewing side. The mirrors on my Autocords have darkened some over time, assuming it's not my eyes, which otherwise seem to be OK.

**grhazelton** · 02-14-2020, 02:49 PM - **1 Like**

I have an Autocord with the built in meter, which works! Amazing! But the meter is a PITA to use. The comments about the focus lever are accurate; it is made of an alloy which has been known to break. I also own a YashicaMat w. meter, and an Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex. Of the three the Autocord I find the most user friendly, as always YMMV.
Many users have compared it favorably to the Rolleicord, and to f3.5 models of the Rolleiflex. although it lacks the "automatic" film loading of the 'flex, using instead a "semi" automatic loading, with automatic film stop. See Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras site for a pfd of an instruction manual. I'd suggest that the OP load it up and give it a test drive. You might decide to buy it for yourself.

stevebrot · 02-14-2020, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by grhazelton

I'd suggest that the OP load it up and give it a test drive. You might decide to buy it for yourself.

Too late...he sold it to me!

Steve

stevebrot · 02-14-2020, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by Sholom

There were several iterations and models of the Autocord, the one at the top of this thread being a fairly early one I believe.

Export version, circa 1958.

Steve

Fenwoodian · 02-14-2020, 05:05 PM

.
Autocord was my favorite camera, and has only recently been passed by the Pentax K-1.

There was something about it's images! I owned 4 or 5 other medium format 120/220 film cameras (including Hassy) and the Autocord was always my favorite.

01-28-2020, 06:10 PM - 1 Like	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The Autocord is very highly regarded by several members of Pentax Forums. I am definitely anticipating when this batch comes to market. BTW...I would leave it to the purchaser to do whatever repair or service might be needed. It is unlikely you would recoup the cost in a higher purchase price. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 01-28-2020 at 06:20 PM.

02-14-2020, 02:49 PM - 1 Like	#12
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Minolta Autocord I have an Autocord with the built in meter, which works! Amazing! But the meter is a PITA to use. The comments about the focus lever are accurate; it is made of an alloy which has been known to break. I also own a YashicaMat w. meter, and an Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex. Of the three the Autocord I find the most user friendly, as always YMMV. Many users have compared it favorably to the Rolleicord, and to f3.5 models of the Rolleiflex. although it lacks the "automatic" film loading of the 'flex, using instead a "semi" automatic loading, with automatic film stop. See Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras site for a pfd of an instruction manual. I'd suggest that the OP load it up and give it a test drive. You might decide to buy it for yourself.

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01-28-2020, 04:40 PM	#2
mtl_pentaxian Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 56	It’s a TLR which shoots 6cm x 6cm negatives on 120 film. The Minolta Autocord is well regarded. Check ended listings on the auction site for an idea as to price.

01-28-2020, 06:53 PM	#4
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot The Autocord is very highly regarded by several members of Pentax Forums. I am definitely anticipating when this batch comes to market. BTW...I would leave it to the purchaser to do whatever repair or service might be needed. It is unlikely you would recoup the cost in a higher purchase price. Steve No Steve, I don't intend to try any cleaning other than a little "lipstick brush." Is there any value to the old fashioned "Camcorder" that took the video cassette? I have three or four of them, Sony, Ricoh. I would imagine it's sort of like having a couple of electric typewriters, huh?

01-28-2020, 07:00 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Dewman I would imagine it's sort of like having a couple of electric typewriters, huh? I would imagine typewriters would be worth more. Strangely enough, there is a market for them for business tasks much as their remains a market for dot-matrix printers. Steve

01-28-2020, 09:57 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	That's what my dad used for wedding photography. Very impressive viewfinder.

01-30-2020, 10:56 AM	#7
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	I'd certainly take pictures with that camera. I can't say any specifics about that brand of a TLR. But some things that might come with age include a yellowing focus matte, slow or sticking leaf shutter and a stiff winder from gummy lubricant in the gearing. Perhaps get a roll of film just to run it through the camera to get a feel of the transport and asses its slowest shutter speeds before you sell it just so you can say something more about it than its appearance. Last edited by tuco; 01-30-2020 at 11:01 AM.

01-30-2020, 03:37 PM	#8
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	I took some new photos of it today and I'm going to list it on the Marketplace, basically "as-is." Everything seems to work as-advertised, but I'm not going to run any film through it. I'll leave that surprise to the new owner.

01-31-2020, 11:24 AM	#9
Astro-Baby Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Reigate, Surrey Posts: 764	One just popped up on ebay uk from a dealer, listed as near mint asking £249

01-31-2020, 11:51 AM	#10
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Originally posted by Astro-Baby One just popped up on ebay uk from a dealer, listed as near mint asking £249 Well, I guess the price I asked on the Market Place might be quite a bargain for someone, eh?

01-31-2020, 04:11 PM	#11
Sholom Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 125	There were several iterations and models of the Autocord, the one at the top of this thread being a fairly early one I believe. Since there isn't a large market for these cameras it is hard to put valuations on these various models. i guess much would depend on the condition of both lenses, the focusing lever (which is reportedly brittle on some versions although solid on both of my Autocords), and the reflex mirror on the viewing side. The mirrors on my Autocords have darkened some over time, assuming it's not my eyes, which otherwise seem to be OK.

02-14-2020, 04:35 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by grhazelton I'd suggest that the OP load it up and give it a test drive. You might decide to buy it for yourself. Too late...he sold it to me! Steve

02-14-2020, 04:36 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Sholom There were several iterations and models of the Autocord, the one at the top of this thread being a fairly early one I believe. Export version, circa 1958. Steve

02-14-2020, 05:05 PM	#15
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	. Autocord was my favorite camera, and has only recently been passed by the Pentax K-1. There was something about it's images! I owned 4 or 5 other medium format 120/220 film cameras (including Hassy) and the Autocord was always my favorite.