Medalist accessory back help.

Bioflex · Sep 23, 2023

Bought an accessory back for my Kodak Medalist but can’t get it to lock in to camera back? I retracted the lens so the rangefinder lug will engage with the slot, but back has resistance to locking? Don’t want to force anything. Any help would be appreciated.

Bioflex · Sep 23, 2023

Please disregard the above thread, I didn’t have the fine adjustments needed.But now that the accessory back is installed I noticed the cable release socket has a screw in it?

Dan Daniel · Sep 23, 2023

If your question is, does the socket on the shutter take a standard tapered threaded cable release- yes.

After you fire the shutter using the cable release, you then need to press the shutter release down to release the wind mechanism to wind to the next frame.

Bioflex · Sep 23, 2023

Thanks but this is what I’m referring to.

Hunter_Compton · Sep 23, 2023

It looks like your Medalist had flash sync added after it left the factory, hence the PC socket.

The screw may be present simply to keep dust out of the cable release hole, or it may be an indication that the cable release parts were in some way removed or repurposed for the flash sync, and a cable release can no longer be used with this camera. Difficult to say which without seeing inside the shutter to determine what was done exactly.

I'd see if the screw removes easily, and then if it does try a cable release, but don't force anything. The Medalist uses non-tapered thread for the cable release.

Bioflex · Sep 23, 2023

Thank you , will look for a non-tapered cable release.

Hunter_Compton · Sep 23, 2023

I mean, you could also use a toothpick, paperclip, etc. just to test and make sure it works. No point in investing in a specific accessory if it won't work with the modified camera.

reddesert · Sep 23, 2023

I've used an ordinary cable release in my Medalist II without problems (mine is a II but I think the hole threading is the same). It just has to engage enough threads not to come out under pressure.

The bigger issue is remembering the sequence of unlocking the double exposure prevention and recocking the shutter after using the cable release, as Hunter_Compton mentioned.

Dan Daniel · Sep 23, 2023

Remove that screw. That is the cable release location. That screw was common on other Kodak shutters so someone just moved it to this camera. A C socket was added, to the right of the cable socket.

And it uses a standard tapered cable release.

Of course you don't need to use a cable release. Just use the shutter button if you want.

reddesert said:
The bigger issue is remembering the sequence of unlocking the double exposure prevention and recocking the shutter after using the cable release, as Hunter_Compton mentioned.

Not sure what you mean here. The sequence: fire shutter with cable release. Press shutter button until it clicks. Wind forward to next frame. This will cock the shutter as with any other shot.

The click on pressing the hsutter button after firing the shutter is the wind lock releasing. NOT the shutter firing a second time.

Hunter_Compton · Sep 23, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
Of course you don't need to use a cable release. Just use the shutter button if you want.

Dan, The reason for wanting to use the cable release here is that the Medalist I locks out the body release when the accessory sheet film/ground glass back is used.

The Medalist I has an infinity lock on the body shutter release so that it can't be pressed when the camera is focused back past infinity.

It also has the ability to re-calibrate the focus scale and rangefinder when the accessory back is used to account for the film plane offset.

However, it does not re-calibrate the infinity lock when the accessory back is used, so with the focusing helical being further back, the body release is now locked out at around 4 feet and further. You can press the body release down to unlock the film advance, but it won't fire the shutter.

So, practically speaking, you have to use a cable release to fire the shutter while using the accessory back, then once the exposure is made press the body release to unlock the film transport and wind on.

I believe the Medalist II removed the infinity lock out to alleviate this issue, but don't quote me on that, as I don't have a II to compare.

Dan Daniel · Sep 23, 2023

Ah, thanks, Hunter-Compton. I've never used the ground glass back so hadn't encountered the specifics of its use.

That area of the Medalist II is the same as on the Medalist I best as I can tell without taking calipers to the pieces. But it may have bypsssed things.

reddesert · Sep 23, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
Not sure what you mean here. The sequence: fire shutter with cable release. Press shutter button until it clicks. Wind forward to next frame. This will cock the shutter as with any other shot.

The click on pressing the hsutter button after firing the shutter is the wind lock releasing. NOT the shutter firing a second time.

Thanks, the problem is that I forget the procedure, so in the moment of using it, I fire with the cable release, realize that the wind is still locked, then forget that I should press the body release. So I cock the shutter manually with the rear lever, point the camera into something dark, and fire a second shot with the body release to free it up. After a couple of times, you'd think I would figure it out.

My Medalist II also seems to lock the body release when the lens is retracted. I don't know about the recalibration of focus scale as I have never had an accessory back or tried to use one.

Dan Daniel · Sep 24, 2023

reddesert said:
After a couple of times, you'd think I would figure it out.

I tend to forget to press the shutter button after using the cable, also. And I need to run down a checklist in my head when loading, and recently got a blank first frame from not checking shutter cocking on loading. I'll say it again- the Medalist was designed by Rube Goldberg and Buck Rogers on a Scotch bender.

Bioflex · Sep 24, 2023

Rube Goldberg is a favorite artist of mine.(see attached) the very nature of photography lends itself to tinkering, invention etc. It’s worth acclimating myself with this camera in order to appreciate that Kodak Ektar lens.Thank you all for your insights, there’s a special joy in utilizing a vintage camera and shooting film.

Alex Varas · Sep 25, 2023

Hunter_Compton said:
Dan, The reason for wanting to use the cable release here is that the Medalist I locks out the body release when the accessory sheet film/ground glass back is used.

The Medalist I has an infinity lock on the body shutter release so that it can't be pressed when the camera is focused back past infinity.

It also has the ability to re-calibrate the focus scale and rangefinder when the accessory back is used to account for the film plane offset.

However, it does not re-calibrate the infinity lock when the accessory back is used, so with the focusing helical being further back, the body release is now locked out at around 4 feet and further. You can press the body release down to unlock the film advance, but it won't fire the shutter.

So, practically speaking, you have to use a cable release to fire the shutter while using the accessory back, then once the exposure is made press the body release to unlock the film transport and wind on.

I believe the Medalist II removed the infinity lock out to alleviate this issue, but don't quote me on that, as I don't have a II to compare.

I have the Medalist II and the accessory back, when shooting plates I was using the cable release socket, all fine. I can't recall any focus lock when I used it.

Medalist accessory back help.

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