Medalist Question

[Timmyjoe]

In the page Peter references, there is the picture below. This is what always happens to me when I try to re-spool 120 onto 620.

It's that bunching, and when you remove the tape and re-tape it back to the backing paper, the film is now not in the same position vis-a-vis the backing paper as it was originally, so the numbers on the backing paper are going to be slightly off. Whether that slightly off is going to make the last image on the roll actually expose off the end of the film stock, I don't know. But that has always been my concern with re-spooling any film that is taped to a backing paper.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Timmyjoe]

Well, I used one of the 120 rolls I cut down in the Medalist today, it worked fine, and I re-spooled a roll of 120 onto a 620 spool (it bunched, but I was able to straighten it out) and it loaded and shot thru fine as well. So I think both methods are doable.

As an aside: my first time shooting one of these Medalist cameras, man are they big and heavy to hold, ended up using a tripod or monopod for most of the 16 shots, and as the camera needs an overhaul because the shutter button is very stiff, I ended up using a cable release for more than half the shots.

First roll was expired B&W film (a long time ago and never kept cold), and it came out a bit foggy. Second roll (the one I re-spooled) is fresh film and have yet to process that. Hoping those images will be more in line with how wonderful I keep hearing these cameras render.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Robert Lai]

Tim,
The weight and shape of this camera doesn't make for fun handholding. Also, the shutter has such a long travel that it's hard to fire smoothly without a cable release. I find that this is strictly a tripod camera for these reasons.

Also, the top speed booster spring in the shutter of these cameras may not provide the full shutter speed any more. My speeds were tested after overhauling the camera, by Ken Ruth. The 1/200 is correct, but 1/400 is still 1/275 or so. Thus, the shutter speed range doesn't encourage handholding sharpness either.

 

[Moto-Uno]

From about 8 or 10 years ago on a Medalist 1 , single coated lens . It's worth the time to get good with it . I'm blessed with large hands and find it's size accommodating ! This was taken while out road testing a customers motorcycle ( I'm sure I had the motor turned off).
My rerolling experiences are similar to "Timmyjoe" so I use the turned down "Blue Moon"120 rolls for the feed side. Peter

 

[citizen99]

^^^ Very nice !

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Taken with a Medalist 1, Kodak BW400CN if I recall correctly...

 

[Hatchetman]

It does not handle well, though that is improved with practice. If I recall, the manual shows a diagram of how to hold it properly. I use a cable release even if hand-held.

I really think you get used to any camera if you use it enough, my problem is I randomly grab one of 20 or so film cameras I have and never really master using any of them.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Okay, so the Medalist 1 I got two weeks ago ended up having a lens that was full of haze, scratches, and fungus, so it went back to the seller for a refund. Was able to find another sample (Medalist II this time), which had been sitting in a cabinet for many years, and was listed as not working. Got it real cheap and was thrilled to find the lens in really good shape. The rest of the camera needs a complete overhaul, so started that today. Something interesting I noticed, the camera is covered in actual leather. It's not some kind of faux leather or leatherette. It's actually pretty nice, dyed black, leather. Which cleans up very well. Never had a camera covered in real leather before.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Peter Jennings]

Tim, did you remove the shutter on your Medalist? The shutter on my Medalist II needs cleaning, but so far I've had no luck improvising a tool to loosen the retaining ring that holds it on. The repair manual specifies a special wrench made just for that purpose. Kodak really did a job in designing this thing!

 

[Timmyjoe]

Hi Peter,

Haven't gotten that far yet. Will have to do it though, the shutter is gummed up, just not there yet. I think it might be tough to get out, may have to make a special wrench to get in there and loosen that retaining ring.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Moto-Uno]

 

[Moto-Uno]

 

[Moto-Uno]

 

[Moto-Uno]

Hope these are of some assistance , I don't believe I used any special tools . Peter
pm me if I can be of any help .

 

[LKSC]

This was taken with a Medalist II, converted by Ken Ruth, on Portra 400.



1:1 crop

 

[Peter Jennings]

This was taken with a Medalist II, converted by Ken Ruth, on Portra 400.

Spectacular!

 

[Peter Jennings]

Hope these are of some assistance , I don't believe I used any special tools . Peter
pm me if I can be of any help .

Thanks for the images! I'm sure they'll be useful once I get that retaining ring loosed up :bang:

 

[Timmyjoe]

Hope these are of some assistance , I don't believe I used any special tools . Peter
pm me if I can be of any help .

Thanks for the pictures. So that's the shutter from the Medalist. Is it the same shutter that is in the Medalist II? My Medalist II has a Kodak Flash Supermatic Shutter, is that the same one you've pictured here on the Medalist?

Best,
-Tim

 

[Hatchetman]

Jeepers the resolution on that scan is incredible. Mine works pretty well though I think the fast speeds are probably a stop slow. I just deal with it. no way am I taking a screwdriver to it!

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ The pictures are from my Medalist 1 , I believe ( but may be wrong) the flashmatic was added to this assembly, so this is still a valid pic of the internals . The top two speeds measure slow, but are consistent . I understand this is common with these aging shutters.
They really do have amazing glass and the single coating allows for some fine transparencies , just being aware not to shoot into the sun , a given with most of us , but easily forgotten .
Peter