MINOLTA AUTOPAK 400-X
1972

Serial Nr. 125827
Minolta Code 0410

Characteristics and functions
This device is Minolta's latest product for the use of type 126 cassette magazines.
The films, in 12 or 20 exposure magazines, provide images of 28.5x28.5mm.
The Minolta Autopak 400-X is very economical and its performance is limited. Thecamera has a reduced thickness compared to the other Autopak (48 instead ofalmost 60mm). The camera body is presented in black plastic in the front and rearparts with an aluminum-colored central band that runs along the four sides. On theupper side there is the square-shaped plastic shutter button, the flash socket for
using the "Magicube" and the writing "Autopak 400-X". The slider for unlocking thefilm compartment door is positioned on the right side, while the metal ring for
attaching the wrist strap is located on the left side.

The selenium light meter is contained in the large elongated window located above
the Minolta inscription.
There are only two shutter speeds: 1/90s for ambient light shots, 1/45s for flash-lightshots with the Magicube on and insufficient ambient light for correct exposure. The
aperture is programmed from 8 to 22. With insufficient ambient light, the camera
automatically sets the shutter speed to 1/45s and activates the flash. Flash coverage
ranges from 1.2 to 3 meters with color film and 1.2 to 4.5 meters with black and whitefilm. Since there is no focus adjustment, there can be no "Flashmatic" typemechanism for adjusting the exposure with light-flash. The wide laying latitude of thefilms allows you to obtain negative images that can still be printed correctly.
The sensitivity at which the exposure meter is calibrated is fixed. Suitable for films of50 or 125 Asa is probably 64 Asa.
The simple lens, arranged in a rectangular cantilevered frame on the front, is aRokkor 34mm f.1/8 with 3 lenses in 3 triplet groups. The minimum shooting distanceis 4 feet (1.2 meters).
The loading lever works in a slot located on the far right, at the top of the rear side.
Side occupied almost entirely by the large door of the film compartment whosetransparent window allows you to view the type of film introduced and observe the“frame counter” which is given by the printing of the numbers on the outer side of theblack paper that covers the film. It is good to remember that after taking the last
useful shot, the film must be advanced until the black paper completely covers thefilm, which has all settled on the right-hand side, receiving, of the cassette loader. For
this purpose, on the transparent part you can read: “Wind film to stop”. Just above
the transparent part we find the words “Minolta Camera Co, Ltd” “Made in Japan”.
The flash socket located on the upper side of the Autopak 400-X accepts only thenew "Magicube-X" which work without requiring the use of batteries and are totally
incompatible with the attachment of the previous cuboflashes. The camera works
without the use of batteries as even the selenium exposure meter does not require
power supply.
The Galilean-type viewfinder is located at the left end of the camera, a red lightappears that warns of the need to use the flash for correct exposure or that theinserted flashcube has been completely used, while the striped circular pawl locatedon the front in correspondence with the shutter button, it is used to lock it to prevent
accidental shots: when pressed once it locks, when pressed again it unlocks thestroke of the shutter button.
Weight 248g. Dimensions: width 113mm; height 68.5mm; depth 48mm.