KODAK MEDALIST II, THE AMERICAN LEICA

If there have ever been an American Collectible camera,this would be it.Built like a Tank during World War II ,the GI affectionatelly called it the "American Leica".
In many ways it was better than a Leica for its intended purpose . Its large negative format , 6X9, not only faithfully ilustrated the pages of Life Magazine , but it made the camera specially suited for aerial reconnoissence missions a type of photography, where big ,faithfull enlargements of enemy terrain was a much needed ability.
The camera has begee sort of a cult camera today . Many people use it as a Fine Art camera on the field , for the same reasons that made it popular on the frontlines : A fast ,well protected ,extraordinarilly sharp, multicoated lens, and a body made to take anything under all conditions , making it a favorite for many Landscape Photographers that like to be in the wild with an equipment that doesn't require special care .
Although Alumminum and steel were in short supply during the war, this camera used them generously to enssure the design mission of creating a camera just as tough and reliable as a Jeep , under all circumstances.The lens focusing mount , for example was based on a tough ,generous , alluminum helicoid ,that allowed for a luxurious extension capable of shooting from infinity all the way down to three an a halph feet. This focusing range ,unusual for a medium format camera was made possible by a gorgeus optical lens design , that ,although expensive to manufacture , is still one of the best optical designs available ,when oustanding focal range is a prime consideration , giving the camera great versatility on the field .
The design criteria was that if pictures could save the lives of soldiers . Good pictures definetilly would. Thus the Medalist was born.
The wide base rangefinder was internally coupled to a top dial that made ,not only quick and accurate focussing, but also simple ,fast,derminations of depth of field during pressing times, when a photograph was most needed.
This focus /depth ofield gebination dial was ,and is ,of much needed help when conditions are too dim for a rangefinder to be of good use , while the Dial remains clearly visible at all times . The camera was fitted with an exposure counter and an film type remainder that included Infrared and VeryChrome
The shutter was of the lens diaphragm type, internally mounted on the lens , conected to a cocking lever on the top of the camera right under the view finder, conviniently ,staying out of the way , but easily cocked with as single stroke , the film advance was another separate knob on the top of the camera.
The camera's detachable back not only made for easy roll film replacement during pressing times, but also allowed the use of a Ground Glass Back and Sheet Film that allowed for quickly switching emulsion types on the spot , a definite advantage since the camera was used on the ground, on the air and in poor light. The lens was corrected for color including the Infrared. Even the Focusing Dial has a mark for infrared.
The camera was made to take the precursor of 120 film ,known as 620 , no longer manufactured today ,but available in some places as specially respooled ,modern 120 color