Ever since I first got into film photography, I have been fascinated by 120 (medium format) film, and particularly the TLR (twin lens reflex) cameras that go with it. It’s something about looking down through the viewfinder, their very different appearance to that of a typical camera and the more considered nature of the format, being limited to 12 6cm x 6cm shots instead of 35 frames.
While scrolling Marketplace on my break, I saw what I knew was meant to be. A complete set. A minoltachord, lens filters, lens hood, extra spools, sekonic light meter and a very obnoxious flash. All in their own leather pouches inside a big leather (slightly falling apart) bag. All for the low price of $100 AUD. A steal I thought as I had searched them up and seen the camera alone selling on ebay for $130 or more. So I pounced; I told him I’d pick it up that afternoon, without a care where abouts he was in Sydney. Turns out he was over an hour away by train, but oh well, it adds to the story.
I rushed over after work, and there it was. In a Wentworthville McDonald’s car park, I was united with my camera. The seller’s mum bought it brand new when it was released in the 1950s, later passed it down to him, and now sold it to me.
When I finally got home and took everything out to inspect the haul, I found what wasn’t mentioned in the ad but was welcome (as I couldn’t quite figure out how to load it or find anything for the Minoltachord, only the later Minolta Autochord): original user manuals. Being the archival person I am, I have since scanned them all, including some other stuff in there, and have it below for all to download. They’re also on the Internet Archive.
Minoltachord Manual
Sekonic Leader Type L-VI (Type L-6) Lightmeter
Kodacolor-X Infosheet
Minolta Filter User Manual
