
Written by Katya Rowny
I never thought I would be influenced by a post on Instagram, but here we are. Okay, I might be being facetious, but my search for my next medium format camera was impacted by photos I saw from a photographer I follow and admire.
Alix Critchley is a film photographer based in Canada. Her photography style could be described as hauntingly honest and captivating. I was surprised by the quality and sharpness, and even more tickled when she told me it was from her Minolta Autocord.
This caused me to go down the rabbit hole of searching and seeking for this gem of a camera that seemed to be in my price range but, ultimately, leaving it up to the universe to deliver.
A few months later, after eyeballing and refreshing eBay for the millionth time, I went to a local swap meet for the film photography community in Seattle, and saw the most beautiful Minolta Autocord for sale. It was slightly out of my price range, but, after some bargaining, the camera was mine!
Immediately, I loaded it up with Lomography 400 color film and started learning the ins and outs of the camera. Thus my journey with the Minolta Autocord Standard began.
Find the Minolta Autocord at KEH Camera or on eBay.

History of the Minolta Autocord
Minolta was established in Osaka, Japan by Kazuo Tashima in 1928 under the name Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten, which translates to Japanese-German Camera Shop. In 1931, the company rebranded to Minolta, an acronym for Mechanism, Instruments, Optics, and Lenses, reflecting Tashima’s vision.
By 1937, Minolta reorganized as Chiyoda Kogaku Seikō, K.K., and introduced their first Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) camera, the MinoltaFlex, inspired by the German Rolleiflex. This made the MinoltaFlex only the second TLR from Japan, following the Prince Flex by Neumann & Heilemann.
Minolta began producing TLR cameras in 1937 with the MinoltaFlex line. Among their many models, the Autocord stands out as one of the most underrated classics in the TLR category.
Between 1955 and 1966, Minolta released twenty-four different Autocord models. The model introduced in 1958, known as the ‘Autocord (Export),’ featured the Seikosha-MX shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/500, plus Bulb and Time settings for long exposures.
It also included X-M-F flash synchronization and the 75mm Chiyoko Rokkor taking lens. The viewing lens – a three-element view Rokkor 75mm f/3.2 – has an amber coating in the older variants, and a blue coating in the newer variants from the Autocord I (my model) onwards.



Minolta’s Light Value System
In 1955, Autocord L introduced Minolta’s Light Value System (LVS), which used a non-coupled selenium meter. This system continued in later Autocord models, even those without a built-in meter. The LVS provided a proprietary exposure number rather than traditional f-stop and shutter speed values.
Instead of using knobs, the camera has sliders that point to LVS numbers on the faceplate, with the equivalent shutter speeds and aperture numbers displayed in small windows above the lens.
This setup allows the photographer to easily view the settings while looking down at the viewfinder, eliminating the need to check the numbers on the camera’s face. I find this configuration intuitive and easy to utilize.



Autocord’s Unique Features
The Autocord line from Minolta was their attempt to compete with the high-end TLR cameras. By the 1950s, the TLR market was becoming crowded with various manufacturers, but Minolta introduced several unique features to stand out.
Their system included a crank wind advance with an integrated shutter cocking mechanism, and a superb four-element Rokkor f3.5 lens.
A notable feature was the side button that allowed the winding lever to move backward, enabling the camera to cock the shutter and offer double exposures. I have yet to try this feature, but it will make for some interesting photo experiments in the future.



The Focusing Mechanism
Another distinctive feature of the Minolta Autocord is the focusing mechanism. Instead of using a dial like other TLR cameras, the Autocord focuses with a sliding bar located under the lens. This design enhances handling, allowing the camera to sit comfortably in your hand as you slide the bar to focus.
The focus slider is made from a softer material and can break if forced.
Additionally, the winding lever has a hinge at the top, letting you tuck away the crank handle when not in use. The camera also opens from the top-down, unlike other TLR cameras like Rolleiflex/Rolleicord, which open from the bottom-up.



Flash & Film Loading
The Autocord includes a PC sync connection for off-camera flash and a cold shoe.
Notably, film is transported from the top to the bottom of the camera, as opposed to the more common bottom-to-top method found in many other TLR cameras.
The Autocord does not have a red window on the back; instead, film frames are counted down via a frame counter window located on the side of the camera near the film advance lever.
Most models, like this one, utilize 120 roll film for twelve 6x6cm negatives, while the more recent models (’65-’66) do allow for 220 film.
To open the back of the camera, you simply pull a button on the top left side. To load the film, insert a roll of 120 film into the upper chamber, feed the leader into an empty spool in the bottom chamber, and advance the film until the arrows on the backing paper align with the indicator marks in the film chamber.
Close the camera and advance the film with the winder on the right until the frame counter of the camera displays ‘1.’


Film Advancing
Film advancement on the Minolta Autocord is managed with a crank lever on the right side of the body. Unlike the folding levers on Rolleis, this lever is a single piece of metal but features a folding handle that can be docked into a bracket.
To advance the film, you “untuck” the handle, turn it forward (clockwise) as far as it goes, then move it back and tuck it in again. This maneuver is simple, fast, and easy to master, and it also cocks the shutter and advances the automatic film counter.
I enjoy the film advancement lever on the camera, it makes me feel like I’m using a fancy camera.


Accessories for the Minolta Autocord
Accessories for the Autocord include multiple different options.
Fred Math mentions several additional accessories for the Autocord, including the Autopole (a circular polarizer that fits over both the viewing and taking lenses, allowing synchronized rotation), the Paradjuster (a collapsible mount for parallax correction in close-up photography), and the Panorama-Head (a rotating mount with a spirit level and click stops at 30° intervals, designed for creating 12-picture, 360° panoramas).
Additionally, the Autocord is compatible with Rollei Bay I mount accessories.


Final Thoughts
After shooting on this camera over the past few years, I can say that I am smitten. I love the ease and usability of it. The focusing lever on the bottom, sliding it back and forth to find the perfect point to fire the shutter.
I always enjoy the conversations that seem to form when I’m out with the camera. For the price and quality, it’s hard to argue as to why you shouldn’t add the Minolta Autocord to your collection.


Thank you so much, Katya! Katya is a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film, and you can check out her other articles here, such as 5 Ways to Showcase Your Photography Work and Aurora 800 Film Review & Comparison with Lomography 800.
You can also find more of Katya’s work on her website and Instagram.
Leave your questions about the Minolta Autocord below in the comments, and you can pick one up for yourself at KEH Camera or on eBay.

Blog Comments
David Lai
September 21, 2024 at 5:45 am
I had one of these for years, but only ever put one roll of film through it, as it didn’t really suit my style of photography. The picture quality was stunning.
I gave the camera away to a friend who had a photography degree, although she had a Holga and was into the lo-fi thing. She broke it almost immediately.
There’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Katya
September 26, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Thank you for your comment, although I don’t know how to respond… I’m sorry your friend broke your camera but how kind of you to give it away! Camera regrets are the worst, I have a few myself. Hopefully you’ve found a different camera that suits your style now!
Curtis Heikkinen
September 22, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Excellent review! Love reading your reviews and seeing your images. How does the autocord compare to the Yashica D you reviewed and which I am now enjoying? Do you like the Minolta more or less than the Yashica? Thanks, Katya!
Katya
September 26, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Hi Curtis! This is a great question! I love both cameras for different reasons but they are similar in design and picture quality I believe! Once I got used to the focusing lever on the front of the Minolta it became easier to maneuver and not so awkward. The Yashica D is a hunk of a camera but an awesome conversation starter. Honestly, you can’t go wrong but if I HAD to choose, It’d probably be the Autocord.
Curtis heikkinen
September 26, 2024 at 8:05 pm
Thanks for the response! Looking forward to your next article!