Kodak Medalist 100mm f/3.5 Ektar

[Mr_Flibble]

Some from the fabulous 100mm f/3.5 Ektar mounted on the Medalist I.

In this case with Kodak Ektar 100 film.
Over-exposed by half a stop.
Taken at the Dutch Royal Army Engineer Museum in 2013

The main differences with the lens mounted on the Medalist II are that the Medalist I only had internal lens surfaces coated and on the post-war the Medalist II they used Kodak's hard single coating.


Let's see yours! 🙂

 

[oftheherd]

Don't have a Medalist, but I sure like the photos from yours.

Is that a prefab bridge in the first photo? The US Army had, and in fact, I think still does have, a prefab called a Bailley Bridge. Had transoms, panels, and wooden planking. The panels could be 3 wide and 3 high when extra strength was needed for anticipated loads or it had to reach a farther bank than say a one-by-one would allow. One-to-one and not to long could be pushed across by men. At some point, a tank or even two would probably be needed.

The panels were about 500 and a half pounds and took 3 people on a side to carry. I had one drop on my foot, luckily on the toes only. Crushed the joints in the first three toes, breaking the big toe bone where it attaches to the foot in three places. Kept me flat on my back for a week.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The Dutch Army still has them in their inventory for emergencies.
The museum actually has some sections of a Bailey Bridge permanently set up (1944 marked, British Steel). Our re-enactment group has once built and disassembled a 20 yard bridge with this system there (not over water, mind you). We used sections consisting of 6 people bringing forward the panels like you said, using the wooden carry tools. And teams joining them up as we put them in place.
I ran my jeep across the bridge a couple of times when it was finished.

The one in the photo is a pre-fab section for a different system. I'm not sure exactly which one. The museum has a number of bridge layers (like the Leguan) and road & runway laying systems on display.

Concerning the medalist. I respool the film from 120 to 620 myself. No other camera I'd rather do this for.
I've once tried cutting down a 120 spool for the feed side, but you have to make sure the trimmed edges are very smooth or you're in for some winding problems.

 

[oftheherd]

The Dutch Army still has them in their inventory for emergencies.
The museum actually has some sections of a Bailey Bridge permanently set up (1944 marked, British Steel). Our re-enactment group has once built and disassembled a 20 yard bridge with this system there (not over water, mind you). We used sections consisting of 6 people bringing forward the panels like you said, using the wooden carry tools. And teams joining them up as we put them in place.
I ran my jeep across the bridge a couple of times when it was finished.

The one in the photo is a pre-fab section for a different system. I'm not sure exactly which one. The museum has a number of bridge layers (like the Leguan) and road & runway laying systems on display.

Concerning the medalist. I respool the film from 120 to 620 myself. No other camera I'd rather do this for.
I've once tried cutting down a 120 spool for the feed side, but you have to make sure the trimmed edges are very smooth or you're in for some winding problems.

I have seen vintage film of a system that brought in PSP and PAP for runways. I don't recall now if it just laid it close each piece, or connected. Actually, I think I just rememberd it was put together and rolled on a machine on a vehicle, which then unrolled it on an airfield or road. We were still using PSP/PAP on runways, taxiways, and parking areas in Vietnam when I was there. Darned useful stuff for other things as well. I would love to see that museum, and/or be there for a reenactment. I am enjoying your Ektar photos.

BTW, the US Army also had a vehicle with a short bridge mounted, that could be deployed by hydraulics. Neat to watch it unfolds. I don't recall how wide it would cover, but not like a Bailley.

Looks like you are getting a lot of good use out of that Medalist.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Actually, I haven't used it in over a year. Time to roll some fresh 620 film.

I recall reading PSP was not really the best option as runway material, with fighter planes blowing their tyres on it and flipping over.
(I think it's either in Bruce Gamble's "The Black Sheep" or "Black Sheep One")

Actually found a few sections of PSP half-buried at the edge of a road when touring the Contentin Peninsula a few years back. Probably left over from the Normandy campaign in 1944 😉

Some from the same event back in 2011. I think I used Ilford XP2. Not the best adjusted scans.

 

[charjohncarter]

Again great images, thanks.

 

[oftheherd]

Actually, I haven't used it in over a year. Time to roll some fresh 620 film.

I recall reading PSP was not really the best option as runway material, with fighter planes blowing their tyres on it and flipping over.
(I think it's either in Bruce Gamble's "The Black Sheep" or "Black Sheep One")

Actually found a few sections of PSP half-buried at the edge of a road when touring the Contentin Peninsula a few years back. Probably left over from the Normandy campaign in 1944 😉

Some from the same event back in 2011. I think I used Ilford XP2. Not the best adjusted scans.

Wow, is that a BAR in the upper left of the group shot? It looks like it and it doesn't. It's been a long time since I held one. Those things were amazing. On cyclic, you could aim individual shots, and it would tend to pull you forward the buffer group was so good.

 

[Swift1]

Some from the fabulous 100mm f/3.5 Ektar mounted on the Medalist I.

In this case with Kodak Ektar 100 film.
Over-exposed by half a stop.
Taken at the Dutch Royal Army Engineer Museum in 2013


Let's see yours! 🙂

The Ektar 100/3.5 lens and Ektar 100 film make a superb combo.

Here's one of mine from my 1947 Medalist II.

Early 60s Dodge Pickup by Colton Allen, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist II
Ektar 100/3.5
Kodak Ektar 100
Epson V500​

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Fantastic sharpness en color, Colton.


Oftheherd, yes it's one of two BARs in our group. Both are M1918A2 versions. The bi-pod was usually removed during WW2. I've read accounts of the BAR-gunners holding them sideways when firing from the hip, so the muzzle didn't climb.

 

[Hatchetman]

Ice Cream Trucks by Rob F, on Flickr

 

[Swift1]

Fantastic sharpness en color, Colton.

Thank you, Rick.

Here's another from my Medalist II, this time with original 620 (1995) Kodak Gold 200.

Untitled by Colton Allen, on Flickr
Kodak Medalist II
Ektar 100/3.5
620 Kodak Gold 200@100
Epson V500​

 

[mothertrucker]

I loved my Kodak Medalist II so much I had to get a Medalist I - got lucky and got an excellent condition one on eBay for less than 200.

I swear the Medalist I is even more special, what a great camera. Re-rolling 620 is more than worth it, it's probably my favorite camera of many. I don't really get why people think they are so large and unwieldy - I'm not really sure how a 6x9 camera without bellows could get much smaller! Collapsed it's almost the same size as my Yashica 124.

Here's one from early morning in Virginia, Illinois.

 

[Timmyjoe]

So I was Ansel Adams-ing with the Medalist II and the sheet film back last year in the Great Smokey Mountains. Okay, I was failing at Ansel Adams-ing in the Great Smokey Mountains, but I did have some fun.

Medalist II with sheet film back, Arista EDU Ultra 100, Rodinal

Never shot Large Format, so this has been serving as an introduction.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Timmyjoe]

Love the colors on those two shots Colton.

Best,
-Tim

 

[mothertrucker]

Okay, I was failing at Ansel Adams-ing

That's probably the best way to fail!!

 

[Swift1]

Love the colors on those two shots Colton.

Best,
-Tim

Thank you Tim.
I haven't used my Medalist II in about a year now and need to get out and shoot it soon.
Here's one from the last time I was out with it.

Untitled by Colton Allen, on Flickr
Kodak Medalist II
Ektar 100/3.5
Expired Kodak Pro 100
Epson V500​

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks mothertrucker.

The following day the sky turned more dramatic.

Medalist II with sheet film back, Ilford FP4+, Rodinal

Best,
-Tim

 

[Swift1]

Thanks mothertrucker.

The following day the sky turned more dramatic.

Medalist II with sheet film back, Alford FP4+, Rodinal

Best,
-Tim

Epic sky!
I kinda like the first one more, but that sky...

 

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks Colton.

Best,
-Tim

 

[BillBingham2]

...Concerning the medalist. I respool the film from 120 to 620 myself. No other camera I'd rather do this for.
I've once tried cutting down a 120 spool for the feed side, but you have to make sure the trimmed edges are very smooth or you're in for some winding problems.

Stupid question....

How much of a pain is respooling to 620? Do you soup your own then or do you send it out? If you send it out, what's your source for 620 spools?

Stupid question background.....

I want to get back to film with an MF camera. While I lust for a GS645W, cash flow is negative these days. A Baby Crown Graphic would be great, but again, prices are high with a roll film back. Thinking this might be an interesting way to test the waters.

Thanks.

B2 (;-?