A 77 Year Old Camera Goes to the Mountains - Kodak Medalist

[Colorado CJ]

I recently won an auction on a camera I've been wanting for a while, a Kodak Medalist I in excellent condition. Whenever I get some new photo gear, I head up the canyon to Rocky Mountain National Park to test it out. It was a windy, wet day in the park with lots of overcast skies. Makes for some interesting shots though!

I wish there was a way to display these images like they are displayed on my calibrated screen, large and full of tones, the down res image displayed on the internet color palate doesn't let you see the full qualities of these images.

Anyway, saying that, here they are.

These were shot on a 77 year old Kodak Medalist I that I received a couple of days ago. These are my first rolls and my first shots taken with this old camera, so I really didn't know what to expect. The first images were shot with trough a minus blue filter on Neopan Acros 100 film rated at 50 ISO and developed in Rodinal at 50:1 for 9 minutes. After they dried, I scanned them in using an Epson V750 pro.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


These next few were taken between 11,500 ft and 12,000 ft altitude. It was raining on and off, but it made for some good photo taking.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 6 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


These last images were using the same film and shot through the same filter, but I used Pyrocat MC at 1:1:100 to develop them. The negatives were a little thick at 15 minutes development time, so next time I'm going to develop for 12 minutes.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 7 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 8 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 9 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


Thats it for now. I have a few other photos (I shot 3 rolls, so 24 exposures total), but they weren't as interesting, or were doubles of these.

Next weekend I am going to take this camera, along with my 4x5 large format camera and my D600 to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for some more photography and camping.

 

[Arklatexian]

I recently won an auction on a camera I've been wanting for a while, a Kodak Medalist I in excellent condition. Whenever I get some new photo gear, I head up the canyon to Rocky Mountain National Park to test it out. It was a windy, wet day in the park with lots of overcast skies. Makes for some interesting shots though!

I wish there was a way to display these images like they are displayed on my calibrated screen, large and full of tones, the down res image displayed on the internet color palate doesn't let you see the full qualities of these images.

Anyway, saying that, here they are.

These were shot on a 77 year old Kodak Medalist I that I received a couple of days ago. These are my first rolls and my first shots taken with this old camera, so I really didn't know what to expect. The first images were shot with trough a minus blue filter on Neopan Acros 100 film rated at 50 ISO and developed in Rodinal at 50:1 for 9 minutes. After they dried, I scanned them in using an Epson V750 pro.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


These next few were taken between 11,500 ft and 12,000 ft altitude. It was raining on and off, but it made for some good photo taking.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 6 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


These last images were using the same film and shot through the same filter, but I used Pyrocat MC at 1:1:100 to develop them. The negatives were a little thick at 15 minutes development time, so next time I'm going to develop for 12 minutes.

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 7 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 8 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Kodak Medalist 1 - Test 9 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr


Thats it for now. I have a few other photos (I shot 3 rolls, so 24 exposures total), but they weren't as interesting, or were doubles of these.

Next weekend I am going to take this camera, along with my 4x5 large format camera and my D600 to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for some more photography and camping.

To comment on these pictures, I have several questions. Has this camera been worked on so it will take 120 instead of 620 film and don't you agree with me that blue skies and bright sunshine would not yield the interesting quality images that I have just had the enjoyable experience of viewing nor would color? It just shows that if your camera was a quality product to begin with and is well maintained, it doesn't get old. Congratulations on your purchase and it sure seems to be in good hands.......Regards!

 

[summicron1]

i have a medalist II and agree -- amazing shooter that I don't use enough because it's easier to put 120 into the voigtlander, but the Ektar on that camera is one of the best ever made.

Really lovely. As you get to know it you'll see huge improvement as well.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... I wish there was a way to display these images like they are displayed on my calibrated screen, large and full of tones, the down res image displayed on the internet color palate doesn't let you see the full qualities of these images.

Anyway, saying that, here they are. ...

Beautiful images. Thank you for sharing them.

 

[baachitraka]

Test 2 and Test 9 will do for me.

 

[Kilgallb]

I think the photographer was more responsible than the camera for those fine images!

 

[John51]

I prefer the rangerfinder on my Medalist II to any of my other rangefinder cameras.

I take the pic using a cable release, replace lens cap, press the shutter button and wind on. Awkward but less worries of camera shake from clumsy old me.

I've not needed to reposition the tape when respooling as I keep everything as tight as I can. Tiring on the fingers though. As having the 620 spools returned means higher postage, I re-respool the E6 and C41 film.

I think of the respooling hassle as a 'Poor Tax'. I couldn't afford a Medalist if Kodak had made them for 120 film.

 

[Lee Birder]

Beautiful shots. I just took my Medalist II for a workout in the Sierra Nevada, can't wait to see the results. I have a ground glass back and film/plate holders for it: anybody know of anywhere to find glass plates?

 

[Toyo]

Overcast and rainy days are a B&W shooter's delight.
You have done very well here.
Congratulations on some very fine images.
You use the Medalist well.
T

 

[LAG]

Excuse me Colorado CJ

Beautiful camera on a peaceful setting. Beautiful photographs, 6x9 is by far my favorite medium format frame. I get a good idea of that full quality despite the low res. (I've never used Pyrocat) Thanks for sharing this session and Happy camping!

 

[RSalles]

Andrew,

Very fine results, the Kodak Ektar lens made all the difference to these shots,

Cheers,

Renato

 

[benjiboy]

77 years old ♪♫ ♪ Happy birthday to you. happy birthday to you ♪♫♫ .

 

[Alaska Photography]

Those are beautiful. Perfect contrast. I love the detail of the trees and lichens.