AUTOCORD : the Minolta's TLR
by Fred
Description
The viewfinder is composed of a frosted glass plate.
It is situated in the focussing compartment.
It lets you see the image that will be impregnated on your photographic film if you trigger the shutter at that time.
Under the frosted glass is a synthetic plate with a central translucent round totally surrounded by fine concentric rings.
This is a Fresnel lens.
It has four clear lines to optimize your framing.
The early models of Autocord were not fitted with.
The center circle allows you to adjust the focus. This can be refined using the magnifying glass in the cover.
Sometimes the plates get dirty.
Here's how to dismantle and clean.
Dismantling and cleaning
You need
-) a precision screwdriver 2.0 or 2.4 mm,
-) a pair of tweezers,
-) a lint-free cloth,
-) a little methanol (or undenatured alcohol),
-) a round brush,
-) a blower pear .
Dismantling :
Open the cover.
Remove the four screws located on the left and right of the cover.
Close the cover, remove the viewfinder assembly and turn it over.
Two small pieces of metal are used as springs for the cover.
Remove them :
Lower the end (1) to release the spring from its housing (2).
Lift (3) and pull out all up (4).
Warning: there is a left side and a right side spring.
Remove the Fresnel lens and the ground glass out of the assembly
without scratching or breaking them.
Hold in mind the position and direction in which they are located.
Remove strips that hold the Fresnel lens in place.
Using pliers , press the center of each plate down
then disengage the notch by moving towards the block center.
The rear face of the viewfinder assembly comprises a piece of metal
inserted into the wall, it serves as a notch for the rear slide.
Cleaning :
Clean the glass plate with a lint-free cloth soaked of methanol.
For the Fresnel lens, clean the smooth side with water (dry with a smooth cloth)
(do not use aceton or denatured ethanol)
and the corrugated face with the brush ( make circular movements,
do not rub across furrows ) and the blower.
Let all plates drying.
While you 're there, you can also clean inside the compartment
and the mirror.
Keep attention to the mirror : the silver coating is upside.
Read the "Mirror " page.
Use the brush to loosen grime in the corners and the blower
to remove it from the device.
If you want to change the frosted glass, you'll find
with Rick Oleson (see the " Related Sites" page).
Reassembling :
Reassemble everything in reverse order.
When setting the hood springs back in place,
be sure to set the short end in the right location.
On the side of the magnifying glass in each bottom corner
is a nozzle throat.
Place the end of the spring into the groove.
Here is a view of your removed parts (+ 4 screws, not showned).
Put the cover on the device and screw the screws
( this is easier if the cover is open ).
Tighten them a little, not too much, do not break their head.