Minolta Autopak-8 D 12

Minolta Autopak-8 D 12

Year: 1974-77

Weight: 2000 g

Lens: Zoom Rokkor 1,8 / 6,5 - 78 mm

Macro focusing

Split Image Focusing

Auto / Manual Zoom with 5 speeds

Frame rates: 8, 12, 18, 24, 32, 54 + single frame

Shutter degree: Var. (165 degree variable shutter)

Manual / Auto Exposure

Backlight Control

+/- correction for auto

Flash contact

Fades

Lap dissolve

Remote control socket (No remote socket, must use exclusive Minolta release cord)

Interval timer (accessory only, not in camera)

No sound

Made in Japan

Manufacturer: Minolta

Recently paid in eBay net auction: £120 eBay 6/2008

Comments

This camera requires the "high speed power pack" in order to use 32 & 54 fps.

Repair instructions:

• Auto iris repair

Reviews

by Geoval

Only color and lens size separate these two models. The all-black D12 looks big and bad with its 12 to 1 Macro Zoom Rokkor 1.8 / 6.5 - 78 mm. The consumerish two-tone D10 is silver and black and comes with a non-macro 10-1 Zoom Rokkor 1.8 / 7 - 70 mm. I’ve shot with both and find the D10 lens noticeably sharper than the D12. Another example of the smaller Super 8 lens in a series proving superior in resolution. Both lenses provide nice contrast and pleasing bokeh, a Minolta trademark. Both cameras are very sturdy and solidly built. Both models weigh in at around 10 pounds which make them, alongside the Beaulieu 6008, two of the heaviest Super 8 cameras ever made. Go out shooting with a D10/D12 and sooner or later someone will come up and ask you if you’re shooting 16mm. Great cameras, but get a backup because on the D10/D12 the manual exposure setting is coupled to the automatic exposure, which means that if the EE goes south, and it will, your camera will be rendered inoperative.

by Super8Scientist, 2018

Another one of the "sturdy metal box" cameras; It literally weighs 5 lbs, after a while you cannot hand-hold it anymore and you'll need to put it on a tripod. But whereas the other Autopak-8 D models have the tripod thread on the bottom of the handle (yuck), the D12 has a proper fold-back handle for a more secure mounting point (pull the black pin under the trigger). It has a nice selection of features including a fully variable shutter, macro focus at any focal length, 5 different zoom speeds, and an optional intervalometer accessory. The lens is a solid 8/10. The external battery pack is needed for 32 and 50fps shooting, but can also be used for normal operation of the camera instead of using batteries in the handle, should the need arise. The one big negative is of course the manual exposure being tied to the auto exposure, which is really unfortunate, because if it wasn't the case this camera could easily hold its own against the best Super-8 cameras.