Kodak Medalist II, Kodak Retina I - II c

The Kodak Medalist was an unusual design for a medium format camera when it was introduced in 1941.The Medalist, however, was a rigid cast-aluminum body design with a unique double helical lens tube in place of the conventional cloth bellows. This design was stronger, protected internal mechanisms better and was nearly as compact when the lens was retracted. The Medalist was used extensively during WWII by the American services.

Because the design of the 100mm Ektar on the Medalist was so successful and because so many of these were produced, it is not uncommon to find the occassional unmounted Medalist lens at auction or camera shows.

The Medalist is often described as a large, heavy camera. For storage, the double helical tube retreats into the body, for a total depth of 3.75 inches; fully extended it is 5 inches deep.

Medalist II, from 1946 to 1953



Kodak Medallist II with lens hood




Kodak Retina I or 141 type,manufactured between 1937 and 1939, with Xenar f:3,5 F=5 cm Schneider Kreuznach lens Nº 1631105. Kodak reportedly had sold 31,749.





Camera Kodak Retina II-c 1958 with Heligon C f:2,8/50mm Rodenstock lens Nº 624157
my father's camera