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Post by alexkerhead on Feb 20, 2008 3:46:00 GMT -5
A friend of mine tried to sell this camera on ebay, but the buyer found it was broke and sent it back. So, I bought it for $30 on a long shot I could fix it. The problem was, the focus lever was not focusing the camera. I never knew it was going to be so hard to fix(seeing as this was my first camera repair). It took two hours to fix it and get it back together. Tons of tiny screws and holding rings. Ended up, the locking screws had backed out, but it could only be gotten to after a nearly full disassembly. All the leatherette is gone, but it looks fine without it. The light meter works perfectly too. The viewfinder is among the brightest I've seen.  Anyway, it works great now, so I am happy. Here are some pics after I repaired it, and cleaned the viewfinder mirror and lenses. Last pic is of it disassembled. Click to enlarge.    |
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Post by nikonbob on Feb 20, 2008 9:07:58 GMT -5
You are a braver soul than me. Congrats on your repair of a good camera. The images they produce are very satisfying.
Bob
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Post by Peter S. on Feb 20, 2008 10:40:16 GMT -5
Hi Alex, great work! I'll find one for myself at some time, too. The Rokkor lens got a reputation for exceptional performance. Plus it is said the Autocord were one of the smallest TLRs available. A friend of mine has set up a small page about it: wstar.dyndns.org/oep/equipment/MinoltaAutocord.htmAs for the replacement of the leatherette the usual recommendation is cameraleather.com. It does cost You a bit - but in case You decide to use it more frequently this is for sure an justified expense. Best regards Peter |
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Post by Randy on Feb 20, 2008 12:47:59 GMT -5
cameraleather.com sells recovering kits for the Autocord.
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Post by herron on Feb 20, 2008 13:41:59 GMT -5
Alex: For 30 bucks and a couple hours of instructional (and fun) effort, you now have yourself a nice, working MF camera. Yep .... you're a collector all right. Welcome to the asylum.  ----- BTW - cameraleather.com is worth it  |
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Feb 20, 2008 15:11:31 GMT -5
Alex,
Welcome to ther absorbing world of camera tinkering. No doubt about it - you're hooked!
Bravo on succesfully completing an ambitious first attempt at camera fixing. I've fixed quite a few cameras over the years, some of them sadly neglected, but with something unfamiliar, like an AutoCord for example, I would had trodden warily and made lots of notes as I went along.
No, not a case of fools rushing in, you seem to have a natural talent for camera work. Keep it up, there are some excellent bargains about that are cheap because they need fixing, and the cost of professional repair is more than most of them are worth even if you can find a pro to do the work.
You're bound to come across a few that are beyond fixing, but with each one you learn something new. Learn all you can about it, there are some excellent websites out there. Good Luck!
PeterW
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Post by alexkerhead on Feb 20, 2008 15:34:14 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!
Wow, only $14.50 for the full kit? Ordering right now!
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Post by nikonbob on Feb 20, 2008 16:27:08 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Wow, only $14.50 for the full kit? Ordering right now! Yup, addicted. Be sure and show the results of the recovering. Bob |
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Post by GeneW on Feb 20, 2008 17:58:45 GMT -5
Alex, congrats! The Autocord is a fine TLR -- I just got one recently and am very impressed with the optics.
Gene
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Post by doubs43 on Feb 20, 2008 18:02:58 GMT -5
Alex, you have tackled a project that fainter hearts would have passed up. Good for you. You now have an excellent MF camera that will take marvelous pictures.
If you don't already have a supply of 120 film, try Freestyle Photo in California. They have a huge website and sell just about any type of film you may want. I've done business with them for more than 35 years and many here will also have used them.
Walker
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