Kodak Medalist I winding-on

[joe bosak]

I am trying out a Kodak Medalist I that I recently obtained. Until now I'd been testing it with an exposed 120 film respooled onto a 620 spindle. But I'm now using 620 film and intended to get it processed. Either way, this happens:

I load it with the "1" denoting the first frame just starting to enter the red window. When I wind on the "2" for the next frame is part-way across the red window. "3" is then most of the way across. And so on.

That looks to me to indicate that the camera is not adjusting the wind-on for the increasing thickness of the take-up spool as film wraps around it.

Obviously I'll have a better idea when I get the film processed (but I'm very slow at using film cameras). But does this sound like I have a problem with this camera?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Simple- the paper numbers do not match the frame spacing of the Medalist. What you describe is normal. Almost certain you'll have even spacing and no overlap.

 

[joe bosak]

Cool, thanks Dan

 

[Kino]

Yes, my Medalist 1 does the same and the frame spacing (if not the numbers through the red window) is consistent when using 120 rewound onto a 620 spool.

 

[joe bosak]

Great, thanks.

Next problem is that I sometimes feel like the rangefinder is sticking, it seems as though sometimes it will focus at infinity and sometimes it won't. The distance scale on top doesn't seem accurate but I understand that can be misaligned without really meaning much other than that bits not lined up right. But I now realise I also get this perception of focus not operating correctly when using the rangefinder - like one attempt to focus on something in the distance failed (split images could not be aligned) then on second attempt they could.

I'll finish my film and see how things turn out, and in the meantime keep on eye on this.

 

[Dan Daniel]

It's not unusual for the rangefinder cam to get gummed up with grease and do what you describe.

Being in Europe, you might contact Alex Varas in Spain about possible service. https://alexvarascameras.com/