----- Original Message ----- From: "Marvin Wallace"
<Marvin0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:17 PM
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Early Lens Coating
Hello Folks,
I'm interested in buying a Kodak Medalist II and I have heard good
reports
of the lens. Can any one suggest what the range finder is like on this
camera? Is very small and squinty like the old Kodak Retinas, how
would you
rate the lens quality?
Regards,
Marvin.
Rested
Its been too long since I've handled a Medalist to remember what
the RF was like. Its combined with the view finder.
The lens is a variation of the Heliar and was one of a series
designed according to a patent by Fred Altman, one of Kodak's top lens
designers. The lens is very similar to the 105mm, f/3.7 lens Kodak
sold for 2x3 view cameras. The same basic design was also used for the
50mm and 75mm Enlarging Ektars. I have a 75mm Enlarging Ektar which I
consider to be about equal to the older Schneider Componon.
The lens in the Medalist II is hard coated on all surfaces, the
earlier version, in the Medalist I is soft coated on internal surfaces
only.
This lens has an excellent reputation and is very well corrected
for color.
Both versions of the Medalist can be modeified to take 120 film but
its a delicate job because some machining of fairly thin castings must
be done. Ken Ruth used to do this mod and maybe still does:
--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---
R
