MINOLTA DISCCOURREGES AC-301
1983

Serial Nr.3010271

Characteristics and functions
The production of Pocket Autopak cameras is joined and then replaced by thenew Kodak proposal. At the beginning of the 1980s, the new "DISC" film waspresented. Also this time Minolta follows this commercial innovation byintroducing its own disc cameras. The Minolta Disc Courrèges AC-301 waspresented in 1983. The device comes with a square and flat body, madeentirely of plastic, using 15-frame Disc films that provide 8x10.5mm format
images. The device has a white and gold finish, with the symbols of AndréCourrèges, vertical lines and gold writing on the front. In the center in the raisedpart we find the self-timer selector with its red LED, the convex mirror for selfportraits, the slider in striped plastic for setting the standard focus up to 1.2m. orfor the close one from 1.2m. to 40cm. which simultaneously introduces anadditional lens in front of the lens. Finally, there is the square lens window
protected by a sliding white cover that opens simultaneously with the opening of
the viewfinder protection. In the upper part of the front side of the AC-301 wefind the electronic flash, the light meter cell - inside a circular golden frame - andthe viewfinder window with its vertical sliding protective cover. In the lower part

there is the rectangular shutter button and the golden writing “courrèges ac301”. The rear side of the device is scratched and 2/3 is occupied by the backdoor where the golden window of the viewfinder and the one for viewing thetype of film inserted and the relative frame counter are also placed. There arealso the words "Disc" and "Minolta Camera Co, Ltd" arranged on three lines andthe MINOLTA trademark surmounted by the "Rising Sun". A golden band runs
along the 4 sides which in the upper part becomes a snap mechanism for
opening the back and on the right side supports the mounting of the plastic nut
screw hole for using the tripod and the ring for inserting the wrist strap. Alongthe bottom of the golden band we find the writing "Japan" and the serial
number. The camera is powered by two long-life lithium batteries: 5-7 years.
The advancement of the film is motorized and the electronic flash intervenes
completely automatically. The lens is a 12.5mm f.1:2.8 with 4 fixed focus glass
lenses from 1.2 meters to infinity. Close-up shots are possible at distances
between 40cm. and 120cm. using the additional sliding lens integrated into thelens cantilever mount. Exposure is fully automatic, even the electronic flash isautomatically activated. The camera uses the following shutter/aperture pairs
for correct exposure: 1/200s at f.6 for shooting without flash, 1/100s at f.2.8 forshooting with flash, and 1/100s at f.6 for shooting get close with the flash.
The advancement of the film is motorized with a cadence of one frame in 0.4
seconds. The oversized viewfinder has a bright frame with references forparallax correction and references for the type of focus. “Normal” = symbol ofmountains with a person in front and “Close up” = symbol of a portrait with abust, which appear alternately in the lower part of the viewfinder. The slider for
introducing the Self Timer is located to the right of the mirror for self-portraits.
The ST function is activated by moving the striped plastic cursor upwards; thered led flashes for 10 seconds at different intervals accompanied by an audible
signal. The self-timer setting can be canceled simply by returning the cursor tothe low position. The Minolta Disc Courrèges AC 301 is powered by two 3v
long-life lithium batteries. which, once exhausted, must be replaced by sending
the device to the laboratory. The camera comes with a matching soft ivory andgold leatherette bag, matching leatherette wrist strap and ivory cloth rag withAndré Courrèges 'AC' brand.
Dimensions: thickness 28mm., Height 81.5mm., Length 126mm.
Weight 210g. including batteries and strap.