Just got an Autocord III

[Matus]

After long pining for the Rolleiflex T I sold 2 years ago, I finally got a late model (456***) of Minolta Autocord III (directly from Karl Bryan who was very kind and helpful, the camera was part of his collection). The camera shows wear, but is in perfect technical order - everything is smooth, shutter release gives nearly no resistance.

I have just bought a used sun hood (Rollei) and ordered a multicoated KR1.5 filter from Heliopan which I intend to use instead of UV filter (little of warming is always good with color and does not disturb BW ).

-> I still have to find some reasonable neck-strap as the original one (with very dedicated clips) is missing and nearly impossible to find. So if you have some ideas just bring it please! <-

Anyhow - the main point is that I wanted to share my happiness of having a TLR again

... yes - I still do have my Mamiya 6 (and love the results it can produce), but TLR is a matter of heart ..

I will post a few photos of it soon - stay tuned!

[whitecat]

You made a good decision!

[clear2000]

Congrats, the autocord is fantastic. I plan on shooting a roll of neopan 100 acros this weekend.

[PMCC]

Originally Posted by Matus

-> I still have to find some reasonable neck-strap as the original one (with very dedicated clips) is missing and nearly impossible to find. So if you have some ideas just bring it please! <-

If you can find a pre-Model I donor body, the standard strap lugs from that are completely interchangeable with the proprietary lugs on your Model III. If you switch them you'll be able to use the strap of your choice, which in any event will be nicer than the original stiff, narrow plastic of the proprietary strap.

About three years ago, expertly made 3rd party copies of the earlier standard Autocord lugs were separately available expressly for this purpose. They were for sale on the Yahoo! Japan auction site, but regrettably, the maker, a small independent machinist, has discontinued them. I have a set on my Autocord I, which lets me use my go-to strap, a 1.5" wide Domke Gripper swivel strap.

[Dan Daniel]

If you can't find donor lugs, the holes in the Autocord lugs accept a #6-32 tap. Not certain if there is a metric size right near there. Tap the holes out and put some button-head screws in there. Now a standard 'Hassleblad' lug connector will almost fit. ten seconds with a file to widen the slot on the strap lug and it will fit.

[Matus]

Thanks for the tips. The best way would probably be to make a DIY job and work on the attachment points to allow to use wide selection of straps.

After browsing around I got a really snobby need to get the braided leather neck strap from Barton 1972 - their new Yin Yang series - in particular the beta model

I know I would have to adjust the attachments - probably the way it is done on Gordy's straps (I have a wrist strap from them - it is great, but would want more than a narrow leather strip around my neck) - the strings seem to work.

Are there amy other leather neck straps worth considering?

[mrisney]

Originally Posted by Matus

After long pining for the Rolleiflex T I sold 2 years ago, I finally got a late model (456***) of Minolta Autocord III (directly from Karl Bryan who was very kind and helpful, the camera was part of his collection). The camera shows wear, but is in perfect technical order - everything is smooth, shutter release gives nearly no resistance.

I have just bought a used sun hood (Rollei) and ordered a multicoated KR1.5 filter from Heliopan which I intend to use instead of UV filter (little of warming is always good with color and does not disturb BW ).

-> I still have to find some reasonable neck-strap as the original one (with very dedicated clips) is missing and nearly impossible to find. So if you have some ideas just bring it please! <-

Anyhow - the main point is that I wanted to share my happiness of having a TLR again

... yes - I still do have my Mamiya 6 (and love the results it can produce), but TLR is a matter of heart ..

I will post a few photos of it soon - stay tuned!

Me too, Karl Bryan is close by, so I was going to get it CLA'ed from him. PM me if you want a minolta hood, I may have an extra one. Pics of your new camera ?









I paired it up with a Sekonic L-208 Twinmate, and replaced the strap with a Domke strap. Sending it to Karl Bryan for a CLA, even though it's in very good condition. This is my third TLR, I had a Mamiya C220, (regretted selling it), then picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8F - the meter did not work, and did not see enough of a difference between, paid too much, but was able to sell it to a Japanese buyer on Ebay, almost recouping my costs. I had heard about the image quality the Rokkor 75mm gives, so looking forward to spending sometime with it this summer.

Any other Autocord owners out there, would like to hear your comments.