jan normandale
Film is the other way
heh, Sanders you've started quite the 'feeding frenzy' for Medalists !
;D
;D
Anyone here shooting Medalists? NSFW
- Thread starter Sanders McNew
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Paul T.
Veteran
Oh, I don't know, a Medalist would be nice, but I'd rather have another nipper!
Frank Petronio
Well-known
I just got my Father-in-law's Kodak Medalist II back from a five-month, $400 stay with Ken Ruth. The 120 conversion and CLA is first class and well worth the wait and expense. I had shot a little 620 with it prior but with the CLA it is much nicer to focus. The magnified rangefinder is wonderful.
I'm real happy with the results, the bokeh, etc. I'm comparing this to Fuji 6x9s, Hasselblads, Rolleis, Mamiya 6s, roll film backs on 4x5s, and vintage folders... I think this camera is as good as any of them. So far my only complaint is how it balances off the strap lugs.
These are from a walk-about near Lake Ontario, not far from where the camera was made.
I'm real happy with the results, the bokeh, etc. I'm comparing this to Fuji 6x9s, Hasselblads, Rolleis, Mamiya 6s, roll film backs on 4x5s, and vintage folders... I think this camera is as good as any of them. So far my only complaint is how it balances off the strap lugs.
These are from a walk-about near Lake Ontario, not far from where the camera was made.
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Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Great shots, Frank!
jan normandale
Film is the other way
Frank, I'm impressed with the glass.. the camera seems so primitive/simple that I wouldn't have guessed these results were a Medalist.
Luc, is this around Steveston? It has that look.
Luc, is this around Steveston? It has that look.
lbenac
Established
Jan,
I had my first shock when I got a Minolta Autocord and my second when I got a Kodak Medalist. These oldies rock and give a run for their money to many newer high end lenses.
I am seriously considering selling my Hasselblad 500CM system!
Cheers,
Luc
lbenac
Established
I am sending mine to Ken Ruth also for a feed conversion (full conversion is a little bit too much) and a shutter CLA. I hope that I will be as happy as you are and maybe in less than 5 months.....
I have not shot my Fuji GW690 side by side but I think that the Medalist with a slightly different look is sharper.
Have you tried it with the original Kodak Field Case, I find that it is way better balanced on the shoulder and easier to hold. I got a really good case at a really good price from Igorcamera.com
Nice and crisp set of your teenage child. I do not know left from right when it comes to portrait and I have quite enjoyed the nude/portrait work shot by your twin on the forum.
Cheers,
Luc
Frank Petronio
Well-known
Thank you Luc and Jan!
I don't think the Medalist is crude at all. It probably was the most advanced camera of its day... a very rugged and accurate magnified rangefinder mechanism, a reliable auto-frame counter, a removable back (with sheet film and ground glass available), and metal work that is simply amazing. And cleaned up, the lens is crisp yet smooth, in a way the Fuji 6x9 could never be.
In comparison it was the German folders that were "crude". In fact the Medalist is almost the opposite approach to solving the same problem, i.e. putting an image from a 105mm lens on a 6x9cm pc of roll film. Where the folder is floppy, the Medalist is rigid and precise.
But it's still a beast, but probably no worse than a Mamiya RB/Press or a Hasselblad 1600F or... it is actually fairly compact with the lens twisted to it's smallest (which also conveniently locks the shutter).
The conversion by Ken Ruth takes a long time and isn't cheap but I consider it worthwhile. But you have to juggle the options -- you can probably find a nice older Mamiya or a fine Rollei for the same money.
I don't think the Medalist is crude at all. It probably was the most advanced camera of its day... a very rugged and accurate magnified rangefinder mechanism, a reliable auto-frame counter, a removable back (with sheet film and ground glass available), and metal work that is simply amazing. And cleaned up, the lens is crisp yet smooth, in a way the Fuji 6x9 could never be.
In comparison it was the German folders that were "crude". In fact the Medalist is almost the opposite approach to solving the same problem, i.e. putting an image from a 105mm lens on a 6x9cm pc of roll film. Where the folder is floppy, the Medalist is rigid and precise.
But it's still a beast, but probably no worse than a Mamiya RB/Press or a Hasselblad 1600F or... it is actually fairly compact with the lens twisted to it's smallest (which also conveniently locks the shutter).
The conversion by Ken Ruth takes a long time and isn't cheap but I consider it worthwhile. But you have to juggle the options -- you can probably find a nice older Mamiya or a fine Rollei for the same money.
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jan normandale
Film is the other way
@Luc, I know about Autocords. ;D
@Frank, I enjoy seeing someone get the most out of the equipment and you do. I'm invested in a Fuji G690 so I'll stay put on the 6x9 format but that doesn't stop me from thinking I'd go for one if I wasn't 'already invested'
@Frank, I enjoy seeing someone get the most out of the equipment and you do. I'm invested in a Fuji G690 so I'll stay put on the 6x9 format but that doesn't stop me from thinking I'd go for one if I wasn't 'already invested'
furcafe
Veteran
The lens from the Medalist II was good enough to be among those offered for the 1st Hasselblad.
Burlap Jacket
Established
I tried the clipper method on a roll of 120 on the weekend and it didn't work for me. The trimmed spool was still too tight to advance the film properly. Attempts ultimately led to snapping the backing paper. Now I'm seriously considering the feed side conversion via Ken Ruth. I'm going to send him an email and inquire re wait times.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
Mine took five months, see prior post. Add a month for Canada-US Post ;-(
lbenac
Established
I look at the bright side. I will have it back before Christmas!
I can use my GSW690 and GW690 in the meantime...
Cheers,
Luc
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
New Flame
New Flame
Hello
We've hit upon a subject of considerable fun of late.My new to me Medalist 1 has become my camera of choice.The first pics back from my rerolled Provia F have made me a convert to this size of negs.These probably won't do it justice.
Unfortunately since these pics were taken the ship has sunk
New Flame
Hello
We've hit upon a subject of considerable fun of late.My new to me Medalist 1 has become my camera of choice.The first pics back from my rerolled Provia F have made me a convert to this size of negs.These probably won't do it justice.
Unfortunately since these pics were taken the ship has sunk
Attachments
Frank Petronio
Well-known
Shutter Release Woes
Shutter Release Woes
I'm about 10 rolls of 120 into my converted Medalist now and the image quality is great. However, at slower speeds, like 1/25-ish, boy does my sloppy technique hurt. The shutter release is stiff and I tend to rotate the camera when I press down, ruining a bunch of shots.
Now I know why Hasselblad and Rollei have you pull the release towards you....
Anyway I wasted enough film that I will be more careful and brace the camera from the bottom right more than usual from now on. When I shot 620 I only shot it outdoors but I was having fun with the ISO800 Portra in dim light.
It's a great camera but ergonomics is not its strong suit.
Shutter Release Woes
I'm about 10 rolls of 120 into my converted Medalist now and the image quality is great. However, at slower speeds, like 1/25-ish, boy does my sloppy technique hurt. The shutter release is stiff and I tend to rotate the camera when I press down, ruining a bunch of shots.
Now I know why Hasselblad and Rollei have you pull the release towards you....
Anyway I wasted enough film that I will be more careful and brace the camera from the bottom right more than usual from now on. When I shot 620 I only shot it outdoors but I was having fun with the ISO800 Portra in dim light.
It's a great camera but ergonomics is not its strong suit.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I think I'll respool some film and take my Medalist along for the "In the Footsteps of the 82nd Airborne" march in the Belgian Ardennes in two weeks time. Should provide some 'historic' images with all the WW2 re-enactors. Here's hoping for snow 😉
My war-time medalist is anything but buttery smooth and is probably overdue for a CLA. It all adds to the camera shake when pressing the release. I might try a cable release, I assume this would work more smoothly because of less moving parts.
My war-time medalist is anything but buttery smooth and is probably overdue for a CLA. It all adds to the camera shake when pressing the release. I might try a cable release, I assume this would work more smoothly because of less moving parts.
furcafe
Veteran
This hasn't been a problem for me, but Ken Ruth suggested holding the camera so that your right thumb is directly below your index finger, i.e., looks like you're making a "C" to someone in front of the camera (probably easier if you have big hands). In theory, your thumb would be bracing the index finger. Might be worth a try.
IIRC, Ken also disabled the M synch on my Medalist II when he did the 120 conversion to reduce the tension in the shutter release.
IIRC, Ken also disabled the M synch on my Medalist II when he did the 120 conversion to reduce the tension in the shutter release.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Congrats - say hi to Melanie!
Dante
Dante
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
I was going out tomorrow to put a roll of provia 100f thru the medalist until I checked the ebay listings,I think I'm going to have to put it in a saftey deposit box instead.What is going on with these prices?Haven't they heard it's a recession out there?
Denverdad
Established
It may not be as bad as it seems. With ebay it is always instructive to click on the "completed listings" box to check out what an item has actually been going for recently. If you do so I think you will find that the Medalists with crazy Buy It Now prices don't actually sell (well, very rarely anyway). But for whatever reason there are certain sellers who seem to list the same cameras - often unremarkable ones at that - over and over again at prices which are two to three times more than the average. I was in the market for a Medalist II about a year ago and encountered that very same situation back then. Fortunately I was able to take my time and held out for a good specimen at a very reasonable price. You should be able to find a good value also - I don't think the actual selling prices have really changed that much in the last year or so since I first picked up mine.
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