Another Minolta Autocord Portrait

A short post today, as we are currently holidaying by the beachside. I've brought along the Bronica SQ-A and two boxes of Ilford FP4+, so am hoping to get some nice sand dune images.

This is another recent Minolta Autocord portrait. Taken on the same expired roll of Ilford FP4+ as the last portrait, in late afternoon light.

Lucy
Minolta Autocord, Ilford FP4+

Wrought Iron Fence

Another Minolta Autocord image, this time a close up of a stone and wrought iron fence at the University of South Australia. I was as close as I could get to the decorative fence support (about 3.3ft / 1m) and shot with as wide an aperture as the light would allow, in order to throw the background out of focus. I didn't record the details, but I was shooting expired Ilford FP4+ at ISO 64, so it was likely around f4 to f5.6.

The Autocord is impressively sharp at this aperture and with a close focus distance the background is blurred as I had hoped. This image was taken as part of my 'The Block' project, which I'll talk a bit more about in an upcoming post.

Wrought Iron Fence
Minolta Autocord, Ilford FP4+

Minolta Autocord Portrait

With a 75mm lens, the Minolta Autocord lens is not a portrait length lens, but its rendering is very pleasant. This particular image was taken in late afternoon light, in the middle of a paddock. The Autocord continues to impress me with its sharpness and image quality, be it portraits, landscapes or anything in between. I'd like to track down a lens hood for it, but I haven't experienced any issues with flare or anything. The genuine Autocord hoods are very hard to find, but cheap plastic ones are relatively abundant on eBay.

Lucy & Thomas
Minolta Autocord, Ilford FP4+

Asphalt

Another camera in my stable is the under rated Minolta Autocord, although its popularity has increased in recent times due to more photographers promoting its virtues on the internet. It was such reviews, and sample photos, that lead me to acquiring one. TLR's are a unique photographic experience, and as a walk around camera, I like the fact that there is no mirror to cause vibrations. When using slow(ish) film (and with the Autocord's maximum aperture of f3.5), its a nice feature to have.

This particular photo was taken as part of a project I am currently working on. I like it because its not something I would normally photograph, and I find the lines, textures and tonal range interesting. I think medium format film helps here, and I'm not sure it would work as well using 35mm film.

It reminds me that it's important to be open and receptive to the unexpected when out photographing. Too often we have preconceived ideas of what we want capture that we miss other opportunities. Many a time I have headed out with a specific idea in mind, only to stumble on an unexpected composition that has turned out much better than the planned scene.

Asphalt
Minolta Autocord, Ilford FP4+ (expired)