Minolta Autocord

Minolta Autocord Twin Lens Reflex

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 [e-mail] for providing the following information:

Modelyr builtshuttercommentsAutocord MXS,1st Version1955Optiper MXS, 1-1/400 secno depth of field on sideAutocord MXS, 2nd Version1956Optiper MXS, 1-1/400 secwith depth of field on side of crankAutocord MXV1955Optiper MXV, 1-1/400 sec Autocord RA1957Optiper MXV, 1-1/400 secFilm-size 6x6+4x4+4x5, changeableAutocord (export)1958Seikosha MX, 1-1/500 sec, with LV, Synchr.X-M-F Autocord L1955Seikosha Rapid, 1-1/500, Synchr. FSelenium MeterAutocord LMX1958Seikosha-MX, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-F-MSelenium MeterAutocord-RI1961Optiper-M, 1-1/500 (4,8,15,30,60,125), LV, Synchr. MAutocord-RG, 1st Version1961Optiper MVL, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-MChiyoko Rokkor, SelftimerAutocord-RG, 2nd Version1962Optiper MVL, 1-1/500, Synchr. X-M,Minolta Rokkor, SelftimerAutocord-RG, 3rd Version1963Citizen MVL, 1-1/500Firmname: Minolta Camera Co.Ltd.Autocord Model I1965Citizen MVL, 1-1/500small "minolta" above "AUTOCORD"Autocord Model II1966Citizen MVLfor 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-12, back to 1 for picture 13-24Autocord Model III1966Citizen MVLfor 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-24Autocord CDS Model I1965Citizen MVLCDS-MeterAutocord CDS Model II1966Citizen MVLCDS-Meter, for 120 and 220 film, Counter 1-12, back to 1 for 13-24,Autocord CDS Model III1966Citizen MVLCDS-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 NumberMinolta Autocord model126828Autocord MXS, 1st Version126832Autocord MXS, 1st Version133184Autocord MXS, 1st Version143615Autocord MXS, 2nd Version146940Autocord MXS, 2nd Version147726Autocord MXS, 2nd Version151449Autocord MXS, 2nd Version151727Autocord MXS, 2nd Version153463Autocord MXS, 2nd Version164775Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)166421Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)170540Autocord MXS, 2nd Version171797Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)172985Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)173845Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)174904Autocord MXS, 2nd Version180831Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)182711Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)185939Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)187409Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)188961Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)195847Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)200905Autocord LMX (Selenium Meter)212740MXV219826Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX228570Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX234628Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX235008Autocord (export) Seikosha-MX264092Autocord RG, 1st Version268115Autocord RG, 1st Version270121Autocord RG, 1st Version271778Autocord RG, 2nd Version351032Autocord RG, 2nd Version351777Autocord RG, 2nd Version355418Autocord RG, 3rd Version355584Autocord RG, 3rd Version361395Autocord RG, 3rd Version361485Autocord RG, 3rd Version361505Autocord RG, 3rd Version362793Autocord RG, 3rd Version366859Autocord RG, 3rd Version402906Autocord CDS I403412Autocord CDS I405020Autocord CDS II405740Autocord CDS I405892Autocord I406983Autocord CDS I407554Autocord CDS I408570Autocord I410958Autocord CDS II412358Autocord I412992Autocord CDS I419163Autocord CDS I419278Autocord CDS I421615Autocord I424601Autocord I425382Autocord CDS I426234Autocord I426244Autocord I427255Autocord I431006Autocord I433311Autocord I454449Autocord 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, pleasecontact 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.

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