Be sure to read Forgotten TLRs in January, 1997 Shutterbug on page 26. The author, Edward Sarkis Balian, first praises Rolleis, and then his Autocord!
Jason Schneider, the camera collector's camera collector, in a recent issue of Popular Photography wrote about cameras with a cult following.
He said, "Now, from the ever-fertile brain and prodigious PC of Dan Richards, an entertaining little list of Borderline Cult Cameras, with which I mostly agree, but send your arguments to him!:
1. Pentax Electro-Spotmatics (the ES and ES II were early, aperture-priority autoexposure SLRs).
2. Minolta XK (Pro-caliber tank of the manual-focus Minolta SLR era).
3. Minolta Autocord, all models (perhaps the second greatest twin-lens reflexes after the Rolleiflexes; Ikoflex, Mamiya, and Rolleicord fans may dispute this). (end of quote)
from McKeown's Price Guide To Antique & Classic Cameras 1995-1996.....
"There are 24 different models of Minolta 6X6 TLRs. Any internal or external change is considered to be a new model of that
camera. All use either 120 or 220 rollfilm and have f3.5/75mm lenses. The shutters are Konan, Citizen, Sekosha, and Optiper."
Thanks to HBPartner@aol.com for providing the following information:
| Model | yr built | shutter | comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autocord MXS,1st Version | 1955 | Optiper MXS, 1-1/400 sec | no depth of field on side |
| Autocord MXS, 2nd Version | 1956 | Optiper MXS, 1-1/400 sec | with depth of field on side of crank |
| Autocord MXV | 1955 | Optiper MXV, 1-1/400 sec | |
| Autocord RA | 1957 | Optiper MXV, 1-1/400 sec | Film-size 6x6+4x4+4x5, changeable |
| Autocord (export) | 1958 | Seikosha MX, 1-1/500 sec, with LV, Synchr.X-M-F | |
| Autocord L | 1955 | Seikosha Rapid, 1-1/500, Synchr. F | Selenium Meter |
| Autocord LMX | 1958 | Seikosha-MX, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-F-M | Selenium Meter |
| Autocord-RI | 1961 | Optiper-M, 1-1/500 (4,8,15,30,60,125), LV, Synchr. M | |
| Autocord-RG, 1st Version | 1961 | Optiper MVL, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-M | Chiyoko Rokkor, Selftimer |
| Autocord-RG, 2nd Version | 1962 | Optiper MVL, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-M, | Minolta Rokkor, Selftimer |
| Autocord-RG, 3rd Version | 1963 | Citizen MVL, 1-1/500 | Firmname: Minolta Camera Co.Ltd. |
| Autocord Model I | 1965 | Citizen MVL, 1-1/500 | small "minolta" above "AUTOCORD" |
| Autocord Model II | 1966 | Citizen MVL | for 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-12, back to 1 for picture 13-24 |
| Autocord Model III | 1966 | Citizen MVL | for 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-24 |
| Autocord CDS Model I | 1965 | Citizen MVL | CDS-Meter |
| Autocord CDS Model II | 1966 | Citizen MVL | CDS-Meter, for 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-12, back to 1 for 13-24, |
| Autocord CDS Model III | 1966 | Citizen MVL | CDS-Meter, for 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-24 |
These are serial numbers taken off of actual Autocords. They do not represent the beginning or end of a run. See where the serial number of your Autocord falls in this list and that will indicate the probable model you have.
| Serial Number | Minolta Autocord model |
|---|---|
| 126828 | Autocord MXS, 1st Version |
| 126832 | Autocord MXS, 1st Version |
| 133184 | Autocord MXS, 1st Version |
| 143615 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 146940 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 147726 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 151449 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 151727 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 153463 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 164775 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 166421 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 170540 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 171797 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 172985 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 173845 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 174904 | Autocord MXS, 2nd Version |
| 180831 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 182711 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 185939 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 187409 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 188961 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 195847 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 200905 | Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter) |
| 212740 | MXV |
| 219826 | Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX |
| 228570 | Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX |
| 234628 | Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX |
| 235008 | Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX |
| 264092 | Autocord RG, 1st Version |
| 268115 | Autocord RG, 1st Version |
| 270121 | Autocord RG, 1st Version |
| 271778 | Autocord RG, 2nd Version |
| 351032 | Autocord RG, 2nd Version |
| 351777 | Autocord RG, 2nd Version |
| 355418 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 355584 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 361395 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 361485 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 361505 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 362793 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 366859 | Autocord RG, 3rd Version |
| 402906 | Autocord CDS I |
| 403412 | Autocord CDS I |
| 405020 | Autocord CDS II |
| 405740 | Autocord CDS I |
| 405892 | Autocord I |
| 406983 | Autocord CDS I |
| 407554 | Autocord CDS I |
| 408570 | Autocord I |
| 410958 | Autocord CDS II |
| 412358 | Autocord I |
| 412992 | Autocord CDS I |
| 419163 | Autocord CDS I |
| 419278 | Autocord CDS I |
| 421615 | Autocord I |
| 424601 | Autocord I |
| 425382 | Autocord CDS I |
| 426234 | Autocord I |
| 426244 | Autocord I |
| 427255 | Autocord I |
| 431006 | Autocord I |
| 433311 | Autocord I |
| 454449 | Autocord CDS III |
Minolta Autocord accessories
Lens shade, either called "Minolta" and "minolta"
Filter R59, UV, GO, 054, Y48 with name "Minolta" or "MINOLTA"
Minolta self-timer, 15 sec,
Mask for 4x4 film size
Close-up lenses No.1 and No.2, called either "Minoltaflex near-up No.1", "Minolta No.1" or "minolta No. 1" or "MINOLTA CLOSE-UP SET FOR AUTOCORD"
Minolta Autopole - A polarizing filter that fits over both lenses. A gear on the side adjusts both lens simultaneously in order to see the polarizing effect in the viewer. Early Version "Minolta AUTOPOLE CHIYODA KOGAKU-JAPAN" later Version "MINOLTA AUTOPOLE MINOLTA CAMERA -JAPAN"
panarama head - This is equipped with a bubble level and mounts between the camera and tripod. With its click stops it lets the camera take a 360 degree picture on 12 exposures.
paradjuster - This also mounts between the tripod and camera. In its folded position focussing and composing is done with the viewing lens. When the paradjuster is unfolded, it moves straight up and the taking lens is now located where the viewing lens was in the collapsed position.
my experience with Autocords
While Autocords can look alike from one camera to the next, placing them side by side reveals subtle differences. For example,
lenses can be Chiyoko or Rokkor (although I've been told they are the same lens). The folding hood usually will say Chiyoko on it when it had a Chiyoko marked lens.
The folding hoods themselves can vary. They can say Chiyoko, Minolta, or be plain. The focussing scale can have some green markings in addition to the black and silver over the entire dial. I have a leather case finished in brown and one in black.
I am always looking for more information and history on the Minolta Autocord. If anyone can help, please contact me. This Autocord Web page is still under development. Watch for additional information in the weeks to come.
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This page was updated April 11, 1997.