anyone have Kodak Medalist 120 conversion?

[Moto-Uno]

While I had my Medalist 1 , I can't begin to suggest the number rolls I rewound , but never one suffered from light leaks , however it always took more than a couple of minutes , cuz I spent some time making sure the roll was very tightly wound onto the 620
feed spool. On a few occasions I had to untape the film from the backing paper and relocate it slightly . Guess being a m/c mechanic at the time kept me in practice with playing around with small things ! Peter

 

[mich rassena]

Thank you for the photos!

I'm with others- that looks like Dremel work. I always assumed that Ken would strip the camera down to its central core and bore out the spool chamber on a mill.

The spool tab on the wind lever has been modified for the larger 120 spool slot. Welded, I assume.

The film measuring/metering is driven off of the thin silver rod with teeth on the uptake side of the film chamber. Despite what some say about the need to modifiy the wind system for the 120 spool and film- nope.

I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed. This isn't what I'd imagined at all. I'd hope to see something that was beyond my own capabilities. I guess what I lack is the boldness to go in there and start grinding away.

So respooling it is.

 

[Hatchetman]

Unspool onto a 620 spool and then wind back to another 620 spool. Really I am not that coordinated or anything. Just keep everything tight as you go. Never had a problem.

 

[MaxElmar]

I've been looking for these photos for a while! Before anyone goes crazy with a Dremel - I'll have to check my original Medalist at home to be sure - but look at the silver tension roller on the feed side. It's mounted completely differently than the original. The original is mounted on the spring tab riveted into the film chamber. This one is re-engineered and mounted differently on the ends. It may be a different roller altogether.

And yes, re-rolling on to 120 spools is trivial with a couple of extra spools. You can even avoid re-taping the film onto the paper backing. The secret is to simply roll the film tightly from 120 onto a 620 spool, then to roll it back onto another 620 spool. Seems to work great. (Although one's hands get tired and sweaty after doing a few rolls in a changing bag!)

Don't mangle your Medalist unless you know what's what.

 

[mbisc]

If you don't mind, please share comparison photos.

When I got my Medalist originally, I immediately packed it up to send to Ken R., so I
have no idea what it looked like originally...

 

[MaxElmar]

Hi Mike -
I took the liberty and used your photo to make a side by side direct comparison of your camera with mine. (If that's a problem, let me know and I will remove the link.) As far as I know mine is original. As you can see, the tensioning roller has been removed and the fixed roller has been replaced. I think the new roller is a custom part machined by Ken.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13f4NFbQDWt0GSHSsmdnORntvbRZEbck7/view?usp=sharing

 

[mbisc]

Chris,

Picture won't show up (but that might be a function of a corporate fire wall) - I'll take a look at home tonight. No problem joining with my pics - thanks for doing that...

Mike

 

[Beemermark]

As far as taking a dremel to remove medal, how thick is the metal. It would sort of suck to take a little too much off -🙁

Who is doing CLA on these? I think there used to be a repairman in NY but I can't find his address.

 

[mbisc]

Chris,
Finally had a chance to look at your image -- very interesting! What does the other film chamber look like in your unmodified camera?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Timmyjoe]

Robert Lai had his Medalist converted by Ken Ruth, and after reading about his experience, I'm leaving mine how it came from the factory and just cutting down 120 rolls and using 620 spools for take up.

You can read about Robert's experience at the end of this thread, his is the last post and goes into some detail:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164279

Best,
-Tim