I finally found one that was really nice and grabbed it. Interesting thing is that it's a black focus 1945 model (SN ERXXX on the lens) and its coated. I did not think they would have started coating them that soon, but this must be a very early coated one.

Now for the real question; does the front cell of the lens just screw out? this one is awfully tight and before I gorilla it with a ring wrench I would like to be sure that I'm not missing a grub screw somewhere. I need to get at the shutter which is sluggish.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: disemjg on 2004-10-21 17:20 ]</font>

What I want to know is what are you going to use for film?

It's no trick to re-spool 120 rollfilm onto 620 spools.
And worth the effort to use the Medalist, with that magnificent heliar-type Ektar.
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There are also firms that will convert the Medalist to 120. Probably pricey, but it also enhances the value of a very good and sought after camera. Your lens is coated on the inner elements only.

i have a medalist convereted to 120 (respooling? you need a LOT of time on your hands).. and its a treat.. all the moderneque features, a huge neg, and very sharp, not to mention that when you walk in the room with one, they either think youre a genius or a total nutbag, or in the case of my wife, both.

david burnett
alas, the guy who did it has passed on.. but try Photography onBald mountain in calif (see shutterbug).. he is fantastic

[quote]
On 2004-11-15 05:33, cudave56 wrote:
i have a medalist convereted to 120 (respooling? you need a LOT of time on your hands)..

Geezzz, Dave, no worse than loading sheet holders.
My wife thinks I'm a nutcase when the Contax II with the dedicated Abby flashgun comes out of the closet......
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http://www.filmforclassics.com/ has 620 film but it is pricy but developing can be done locally at any place that does 120. And a hundred rolls would just about pay to have a camera retooled to accept 120. I am having one done by Ken Ruth at Photography on Bald Mountain. Also that is Ken's website. http://baldmtn.com/index.html

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: on 2004-12-05 05:42 ]</font>

Let's bring this thread back to life; anyone know where I can get the service manual for a Medalist, or is there anyone who has fixed the shutter on theirs and knows the drill??

I have a 1944 Medalist lens that I use on my Century and it is soft coated on the inside surfaces. I have also seen a 1942 Kodak book that discusses the new "Luminized" coating process they were using. My guess is that Kodak was coating lenses around 1940/41 but the hard coatings on all surfaces didn't come out until after the war. I also have a 16mm Cine' Kodak used by the military and it has wartime coated lenses.

Respooling 120 is no big deal, I can do about 10 rolls in less then 5 minutes, and used to do it regularly when I had a Medalist II, the ektar lens, was about as sharp and contrasty as anything I have ever shot, including my blads, pentaxes, bronicas and just about anything else you can think of, it is a great camera and I often regret that I sold it, but the new owner emails me shots with it all the time, so I know it went to a great home.

Dave

My Medalist II Ektar date code is 1947.

Is it safe to assume hard coated instead of soft, obviously people must have to CLA soft coated lenses...is a CLA safe for soft-coated lens.

While Medalist people are here, what can I clean the musty (leather?) viewing hood flaps on the sheet film accessory back? Stinky, spotty with mildew.

Lastly, were the single-sided metal sheet film holders used on any other cameras (standard or not, 6x9, 6.5x9 or what size)? They seem scarce.

Thank you

Murray

Quote:

While Medalist people are here, what can I clean the musty (leather?) viewing hood flaps on the sheet film accessory back? Stinky, spotty with mildew.

Wash the leather with Isoproyl Alcohol on a soft cloth then when clean coat the leather with Lemon Pledge and rub in thoroughly.

Thank you

Hard coated, Murray.