Minolta Autocord MXS
The Autocord MXS was the first of the famed Minolta Autocord line of TLR cameras. It was introduced in 1955 and immediately set a new bar for the twin lens reflex excellence, comparing very favorably to the German Rolleicord TLR but selling at a lower price.
The Autocord series is noted for the crank film advance mechanism (as opposed to a knob advance) that also resets the shutter. The Autocord cameras also have excellent 75mm f/3.5 Rokkor lenses. They are really beautiful lenses.
Autocords also introduced a different way of focusing. A lever protruding from under the taking lens is adjusted left or right to achieve focus. It is a wonderful design in that it allows focusing without adjusting one's hands from where they naturally hold the camera, always ready to fire the shutter. The pointer finger of one hand can rest on the focus while the other pointer finger sits poised on the shutter button and each thumb can sit on the shutter and aperture adjustment wheels. The one downside to this focusing mechanism is that it is moderately vulnerable to impact and the metal has proven to be somewhat brittle. It is possible to bang the focusing lever into other objects and have it snap off. Be careful.
Specifically, the Autocord MXS had an Optiper MXS shutter that tops out at 1/400th. The Autocord MXS only accepts 120 film.
Elegant, compact, as easy on the hands as it is on the eyes, the Autocord remains one of our all time favorite TLR cameras.
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