Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Feb 10, 2009, at 10:07 AM, Alan wrote: > > On Feb 8, 2009, at 11:29 PM, Alastair Firkin wrote: > >> http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=837754 >> >> This looks like the folder I wanted to carry in Nepal. Perhaps >> useful in Peru. Zeiss options are becoming a bit old to be reliable. > ================================================= > I'd really want one of these, except that I can't stand the 6x7 > format. > Why couldn't they have kept the 6x9 of the Bessa, etc. - the 2x3 > proportion is so much more pleasing. Anyone pining for a RUGGED 6x9 camera should consider a used Kodak Medalist II. This camera mounts the best lens that Kodak ever made, a 100 mm f3.5 Ektar, and has a very precise split image rangefinder. It is no larger and heavier than a Nikon F with lens, weighing just shy of 3 lbs. The image size of the Medalist is 5400 sq. mm while that of the Nikon or Leica is 864 sq. mm. For those who like biug negatives, the Medalist is the ticket. The downside is that the stock camera uses obsolete 620 film but many have been modified to use 120 film. Modified versions are available on the used market for less than $300. The Medalist is as solid as it gets. It was used as a US Navy combat camera by Steichen's group. I used one as a staff photographer on the Boston Globe in the late 50s while all around me were carrying Speed Graphics. Life photographer Yale Joel told me that a Medalist, swung around on a neck strap, makes a very effective mace in unruly crowd situations. http://www.prairienet.org/b-wallen/BN_Photo/KodakMedalist.htm Larry Z