Notes on using a Kodak Medalist- feedback?

[Dan Daniel]

I know that there a few people here who have used a Kodak Medalist (I and II). I deal with a lot of them and often will send people a list of 'tips and tricks' to avoid jamming the camera, getting blank frames, etc. I am hoping that some users can look over my notes and see if I am either missing something important or doing something wrong or that could be done better. Much appreciated!!

QUICK NOTES- Medalist I and II

(Medalist I- Please, leave the lever around the shutter release tucked next to the viewfinder and don’t use it.)

FIRST PRINCIPLE​

Be very deliberate in operation as you get used to the camera. Do every action to its completion. Probably the easiest way to stuff the camera is to wind forward but not complete something and then do something else (but if there is no film in the camera, winding the knob will have no concrete stop point so don't worry).

LOADING​

- If counter is not at 0, set to 8

- Get film on spool, close back

- Wind forward and watch for 1 in red window

- Once 1 is showing in window, move counter dial to 1

- Wind knob forward. It will crunch a bit and lock after a very small turn

After loading and getting to 1 on both film and counter, cock shutter using lever under the viewfinder. Loading film does not do this automatically. This will avoid possible blank frames on first shot. Using this lever if the shutter is already cocked doesn’t cause any harm.

- If using a cable release- standard style works fine- after firing the camera with the release, you need to press the shutter button down to release the wind system. Don't worry, the shutter is not cocked because it was just fired by the cable release.

- The shutter release on the Medalist is no Leica! Practice with it; use the lever under the viewfinder to cock it. My best results involves pressing the release down to just before it fires, usually with obvious back pressure. Then pause, and finish firing. One long stroke always leads to blur for me.

- I strongly suggest doing some shots on a tripod to get an idea of what this lens can do without concern over camera shake.

 

[campy51]

I have the Medalist II and on mine when I advance the film with the knob it doesn't cock the shutter properly so when I press the shutter it never opens but I hear the click. To avoid this from happening I cock the shutter with the lever at the viewfinder. Also can I test it without film in the camera?

 

[Dan Daniel]

The shutter cocking issue means that the left tab on the upper back of the lens tube isn't set right. It's that tab that sets the cocking action travel distance when using the wind knob. The click you do hear is the wind system latch releasing.

The Medalist has two different cocking systems and two different latching points. For some weird reason. Yes, you can trick the camera into acting as if there is film in the camera.

Send me a Dm and we can go over this. I don't want to put stuff up here that could lead people to jam up their camera.

 

[vidjuheffex]

The shutter cocking issue means that the left tab on the upper back of the lens tube isn't set right. It's that tab that sets the cocking action travel distance when using the wind knob. The click you do hear is the wind system latch releasing.

The Medalist has two different cocking systems and two different latching points. For some weird reason. Yes, you can trick the camera into acting as if there is film in the camera.

Send me a Dm and we can go over this. I don't want to put stuff up here that could lead people to jam up their camera.

Hello, I joined this forum because of this post. My medalist has this same issue, I can't DM yet because I'm a new member, but if you don't me DM'ing once I'm allowed, I'd also love this info.

 

[MattKing]

Hello, I joined this forum because of this post. My medalist has this same issue, I can't DM yet because I'm a new member, but if you don't me DM'ing once I'm allowed, I'd also love this info.

@Dan Daniel - if you start a Private Conversation (DM) with @vidjuheffex , they can then respond in that Conversation.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Hello, I joined this forum because of this post. My medalist has this same issue, I can't DM yet because I'm a new member, but if you don't me DM'ing once I'm allowed, I'd also love this info.

If you are able to start a thread, how about asking a question over in the camera repair forum- https://www.photrio.com/forum/forums/camera-building-repairs-modification.77/

I'd be comfortable laying out some of the issues there. People expect that you can mess up cameras over there. Here I worry that I give people enough info to make things worse

If that doesn't work, then I'll DM you and we can take it from there.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Hello, I joined this forum because of this post. My medalist has this same issue, I can't DM yet because I'm a new member, but if you don't me DM'ing once I'm allowed, I'd also love this info.

Dan will help you out as it's a very easy adjustment. I'll add one more bit of advice along with Dan's and that is "NEVER FORCE ANYTHING" on the Medalist cameras since replacement parts are like Dinosaur eggs to find. I think many folks new to the Medalist would do themselves and the camera a very big favor by locating a copy or real set of operating instructions. That is the absolute best advice I can give.

 

[Donald Qualls]

many folks new to the Medalist would do themselves and the camera a very big favor by locating a copy or real set of operating instructions.

While this has a lot of truth for most complex cameras, those are like a Toyota compared to an old three-transmission semi tractor relative to a Medalist.

 

[vidjuheffex]

Dan will help you out as it's a very easy adjustment. I'll add one more bit of advice along with Dan's and that is "NEVER FORCE ANYTHING" on the Medalist cameras since replacement parts are like Dinosaur eggs to find. I think many folks new to the Medalist would do themselves and the camera a very big favor by locating a copy or real set of operating instructions. That is the absolute best advice I can give.

Thank you! Yes I found the user manual, which, along with Mike Eckman's blog, made me realize mine had this issue. (I assumed, winding -> cocking -> firing was normal)

I also thought I had a stuck self timer... whoops, flash synchronizer!
I've reached out to Butkus for a copy of the service manual, but I'm very lucky because I picked it up for $35 and besides this issue... well it's my favorite camera ever so far, I'll leave it at that.
I'll start a new thread.

 

[vidjuheffex]

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/kodak-medalist-ii-wont-cock-the-shutter-while-advancing-with-the-wind-knob.209987/

New Thread ^

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thank you! Yes I found the user manual, which, along with Mike Eckman's blog, made me realize mine had this issue. (I assumed, winding -> cocking -> firing was normal)

I also thought I had a stuck self timer... whoops, flash synchronizer!
I've reached out to Butkus for a copy of the service manual, but I'm very lucky because I picked it up for $35 and besides this issue... well it's my favorite camera ever so far, I'll leave it at that.
I'll start a new thread.

Mine too! If you know how many cameras are in my collection you wonder how my Medalist cameras could be my favorites, but they are. Wait until you start picking up things like extension backs, ground glass back, portra and telek lenses............well you get the drift.

 

[John Wiegerink]

While this has a lot of truth for most complex cameras, those are like a Toyota compared to an old three-transmission semi tractor relative to a Medalist.

I agree with you Don. Still, being built like a Mack truck doesn't make it 100% bullet proof. The biggest fear I have with mine when using them is dropping or banging the top viewfinder housing. I saw a Medalist II not very long ago that looked pristine except for a nice big diagonal cack across the front finder glass. I thin k I'd actually cry if it happened to mine.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I agree with you Don. Still, being built like a Mack truck doesn't make it 100% bullet proof. The biggest fear I have with mine when using them is dropping or banging the top viewfinder housing. I saw a Medalist II not very long ago that looked pristine except for a nice big diagonal cack across the front finder glass. I thin k I'd actually cry if it happened to mine.

Not just built like a Mack truck, but more complex to operate than even an original Nikon F. All the bits and bobs put the Medalist in the same category of user knowledge requirements as much later fully manual system cameras like the RB67 -- despite the apparent fixed-lens design (as you noted, though, there were all sorts of add-ons for the Medalist II).

 

[John Wiegerink]

Not just built like a Mack truck, but more complex to operate than even an original Nikon F. All the bits and bobs put the Medalist in the same category of user knowledge requirements as much later fully manual system cameras like the RB67 -- despite the apparent fixed-lens design (as you noted, though, there were all sorts of add-ons for the Medalist II).

I certainly won't argue with about a complex step through of loading and operating the Medalist cameras. It's almost to the point of having to be a trained technician to work the darn camera. That's why I almost always suggest to new owners to get a manual or repair manual before they start turning knobs and pushing hard on the shutter release. Once you have the operating cycles down pat you'll have a fantastic piece of photographic gear and a piece of history also.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Once you have the operating cycles down pat you'll have a fantastic piece of photographic gear and a piece of history also.

Yep. If I had one, I'd have to put more effort into respooling 120 to 620. For now, though, I'll stick with my Moskva 5, Rollfilmkamera, and Century Graphic.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Yep. If I had one, I'd have to put more effort into respooling 120 to 620. For now, though, I'll stick with my Moskva 5, Rollfilmkamera, and Century Graphic.

Don,
I have many easier 120 format cameras to use, but sometimes there are just certain things that make one camera stand out more than others. The Medalist for me has several, like being in the Pacific Theater at the same time and in the same branch of service as my father, being designed and built in the good old U.S. of A. and last but no least being one of the best optical performing cameras I have ever used. Yes, 620 is a drawback, but I've become pretty darn fast at respooling. I can grab my changing bag and whip out several rolls while watching Netflix. Yes, it's not as handy for traveling as my folding Super Ikonta, Petri 120 or a few of my other older cameras, but nothings perfect.

 

[Donald Qualls]

nothings perfect.

And that's why we have dozens (hundreds?) of different models of medium format cameras over the past century and a quarter.