Minolta Courrēges AC301 Disc Camera
Image by Capt Kodak
Manufactured from 1984 to 1985 (?) by Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Many considered Minolta the only other “real” camera company to produce a Disc camera (although many other cheaper versions of the Disc camera were produced—with even less features that the basic Kodak versions!). Minolta produced two models: The “5” (which was basically the Japaneese version of a Kodak Disc 4000) and the “7”. The “7” was everything that the top-of-the-line Kodak 8000 wanted to be. It featured very high quality optics, a close-up mode, a self timer and added an electronically controlled shutter, a tripod mount and a front mirror—the later two used together with a small telescoping arm available as an accessory for making self portraits! Since sales seemed a bit flat for the regular cameras, Minolta release “fashion” versions of the “5” and “7”—the Courrēges line. They were named for the French fashion house that gave them their “style”. The “5” became the AC101 featuring a baby blue and white “wavy” design (and not a good seller in the US either…). The “7” became the AC301 sporting a cream white case dotted with the “HC” logo of the fashion house in gold. It came with a matching white and gold carry case. Oh, la la…
See also: www.discam.freeola.com/gallery.htm
