Medalist 1 vs Fuji gw690 111

[Moto-Uno]

Of late I've toyed with the idea of getting a Fuji GW690 111,
however owning a Medalist 1,I'm curious if I could expect at least comparable image quality? The Kodaks magnified rangefinder makes accurate focusing easy ,but I must admit,it's a bit of an awkward device.Any personal experiences would be appreciated.
Regards,Peter

 

[Moto-Uno]

I'm wondering if there's something scary about comparing these two cameras? Willing to bet someone in this large community has tried them both at one time or another.This would be a pricey purchase for me considering I've no first hand experience with the Fuji.That's my rant for this morning!! Any takers?
Regards,Peter

 

[kuzano]

I think not much info is forthcoming on these cameras

I think not much info is forthcoming on these cameras

First, there is not a lot of awareness out there for the Medalist. I had a couple and both of those came from the Navy. I doubt many were bought by consumers in the public arena. Frankly, I would be surprised if there had been much market for such a "toad" camera.

Now of course, the exemplary points of the camera were the Kodak lens and the unusual rangefinder. Frankly even the rangefinder requires some concession to become adjusted to until you find the point where the combination of the RF and viewpoint come together. Once you master that conjunction, the Medallist has the best rangefinder focus I have ever used. However, I'm not married to rangefinder focus.

Other than that the camera is HEAVY, unwieldy, hangs funny on the strap, and has that film roll problem (Respool 120, or have a conversion done). I grew to hate mine and I commend your loyalty to the camera.

I do shoot Fuji. In spite of the fact that the Ektar on the Medallist is a cracker... sharp and contrasty, I believe the Fuji EBC lenses do match that Ektar.

The Fuji range finder is different, but a very effective rangefinder. The
Fuji is a considerably more conventional camera. I suspect is it lighter than the Medallist, but I DO know it's a much easier carry, and certainly more like shooting a camera than a boxy chunk of square metal with nothing to hold onto.

That said, I did get some great images from the Medallist, but it was far too much work to get them.

Frankly, I place the Medallist in the "cult camera" class.. for those who need to carry something unusual and hard to find. Would be interested to know what your other gear consists of?? Don't get me wrong... as I do kind to fall in that camp myself.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Thanks for your in depth reply,much appreciated,and of course you asked of my other gear,(obsessive,compulsive?),3 Bronica etr's(each model),3 YashicaMats and just 2 Busch Pressman D's and a Kodak Retina 111C and a Yashica GSN (with repaired POD).
And a fridge full of every type and format of film I can afford,my better half is quite tolerant of this hobby,lots of pictures of her fantastic garden.🙂
Regards,Peter
How could I possibly have forgotten my 2 Mockba-5's

 

[kuzano]

Almost identical all the way.

Almost identical all the way.

Thanks for your in depth reply,much appreciated,and of course you asked of my other gear,(obsessive,compulsive?),3 Bronica etr's(each model),3 YashicaMats and just 2 Busch Pressman D's and a Kodak Retina 111C and a Yashica GSN (with repaired POD).
And a fridge full of every type and format of film I can afford,my better half is quite tolerant of this hobby,lots of pictures of her fantastic garden.🙂
Regards,Peter
How could I possibly have forgotten my 2 Mockba-5's

Have had most all of those, including the multitude of emulsions and formats in the fridge. My other half was tolerant to a point. Then one day she went to pull a couple of steaks out of the freezer for dinner. 3 days before, I had replaced them with film. They had been sitting on a bench in the garage and were very ripe. (The steaks)

 

[Moto-Uno]

😱 My wife even put up with my motorcycle insanity while building
my "Peterbuilt" but being the ultimate carnivore that she is; I don't think I'd have gotten away with emptying the freezer!
Peter

 

[Texsport]

The easiest MF camera to use is a Fujica 670,680, or 690 armed with a Fujinon 100/3.5AE lens.

Set the aperture, focus and shoot!

Fantastic big negative, rangefinder fun.

Texsport

 

[johannielscom]

There's a terrific thread on the Medalists in the 120 RF forum. Frank version Two shoots one, as does Sanders McNew. I used to have one and sometimes I wonder why I thought I needed to sell it. Recently my Rolleiflexes have succeeded in consoling me though 😉

EDIT: here it is: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78926

 

[TVR]

Peter, i have often wondered what the fuji would be like never used one or seen a 6x9 here, but have enjoyed the medalist caught on to the focusing and like the way it works, and the results speek for themselves Magic.....