Minolta autocord cds iii battery how to#
Minolta autocord cds iii battery series#

Glad you have it and will enjoy using it. Yes, that “old school” camera strap was one of my favorites (used on my Leica 3F, Minolta 35 rangefinders, Nikon rangefinders and on the Minolta Autocord CDS II that a buddy used for my wedding photos). You made my day! I am so happy that you are again enthused with your Autocord. I let Karl know how I felt, and he wrote back immediately: And the leather strap that Karl put on it is just perfect - it would have been exactly what I would have chosen if given the option. I can’t believe how beautifully it is working. My Autocord arrived back home today and I am simply giddy with excitement for this little jewel. I recvd your camera this afternoon and performed the following services on it:Ĭleaned Fresnel lens (dirt/grit from deteriorating light seal), your ground glass and Fresnel are in better shape than any of my spare partsĪdjusted tension of frame counter wheel spring Several days later, I received the following message: Truth be known, I actually didn’t want to disappoint him. His enthusiasm convinced me to send it back to him. “Your camera is way too nice of an example to not get it working… I just want you to use and see what a fantastic camera the Minolta Autocord is.”

I was ready to give up on it and I let Karl know, but he wouldn’t have any of it. Subsequent to some extensive scientific analysis I concluded that this Autocord was cursed. Karl Bryan restored it to its former glory.Īfter shooting my very first roll of film (which turned out great), I tried to load a second roll and the frame counter stopped working.

becoming a lost art.For those of you following along, I purchased a “recently adjusted” Minolta Autocord one month ago and it was dead on arrival.įortunately, Mr.

The photos were taken on the 7th Anniversary Toronto Photo Walk mostly in Toronto's east end. I might improvise a Gordy's Wrist Strap until I can find the OEM neck strap. Unfortunately, I don't have a camera strap for it, again in Minolta's infinite wisdom went with a proprietary lug system which is a pain in the ass. Turns out there was foam between the waist level finder and the dead meter, I replaced that and cleaned the mirror and carefully dusted out all the debris. Now I did have to clean the focusing screen, which requires patience and steady hands. I was brave and decided to use a roll of Kodak Portra 400 as my test roll, my Autocord's speeds are bang on. How does it handle? Different, the ergonomics take some getting used to if you are used to the world of Rollei. If I find that link I'm posting it for sure as a public service.

Minolta autocord cds iii battery how to#

Now I remember one photographer/tinkerer posted on his website how to make a replacement lever in brass, a much sturdier metal. There are a lot of Autocords out there with broken levers. The engineers at Minolta made the fatal mistake of using 'Pot Metal' alloy which is pretty weak. The dreaded lever, if you're to stumble across an Autocord chances are that lever is seized up, don't force it. You load the film up top instead of the bottom and you don't have a focus knob on the side but a lever on the bottom. Well, I found one at Burlington Camera, everything worked except the meter which is no surprise.Īutocords are a different beast than Rollei and Mamiya TLRs. Now I was always curious about Minolta Autocords because of their reputation for amazing lenses.

Minolta autocord cds iii battery series#

I like my Twin Lens Reflex cameras, owning a pair of Rolleicords, a Series E 3.5 Planar Rolleiflex and a Mamiya C220f is testament to that.

There is no cure, only temporary remission. Photographers suffer from a disease called Gear Acquisition Syndrome or GAS for short.