For Sale Kodak Medalist (I and II) viewfinder glass replacement

[Dan Daniel]

This is a recently manufactured replacement for the large center front viewfinder glass on a Kodak Medalist camera (same for 'I' and II versions of the Medalist).

This viewfinder is very prone to cracking, chipping, shattering. Because I work on a lot of Medalists, I've had some spares from parts cameras, etc. But they have become very rare, and I often can only cement cleanly broken parts to get something usable.

This part was developed by Jason Lane, who many here know from his work with dry plates and other photographic things https://www.pictoriographica.com/ He's an optical engineer. He derived the formula and such and arranged for manufacturing in China. We added anti-reflective coating, not part of the original viewfinder.

If you have a cracked viewfinder, or worry about yours cracking, well, here you go.

If you wonder about this as an upgrade for an uncracked viewfinder... I was curious if the new part was visibly better than the original in use. All in all I would say, 'Yeah, maybe, but not a real significant difference.' A little internal reflection reduction, a little more contrast which might mean a little sharper. Maybe... maybe I just want to see it as better, maybe my eyes aren't the best and someone else would find real differences. All in all I wouldn't recommend this as an 'upgrade' item, Maybe wait for more people to use them?

Installing: remove top cover. Walk the viewfinder frame out pushing from the back on the top and bottom tabs alternately. No need to bend tabs. Go slow, just wiggle it forward. When out, on the inside top of the frame is a small piece of metal. Pull this out, note orientation. Remove glass. Drop in new glass. Replace metal piece on top. Replace frame- put one tab slightly in, tilt second tab in, a little pressure to bend the tabs to let the second one slide in, Push home.

$50, including US shipping.

 

[John Wiegerink]

This is a recently manufactured replacement for the large center front viewfinder glass on a Kodak Medalist camera (same for 'I' and II versions of the Medalist).

This viewfinder is very prone to cracking, chipping, shattering. Because I work on a lot of Medalists, I've had some spares from parts cameras, etc. But they have become very rare, and I often can only cement cleanly broken parts to get something usable.

This part was developed by Jason Lane, who many here know from his work with dry plates and other photographic things https://www.pictoriographica.com/ He's an optical engineer. He derived the formula and such and arranged for manufacturing in China. We added anti-reflective coating, not part of the original viewfinder.

If you have a cracked viewfinder, or worry about yours cracking, well, here you go.

If you wonder about this as an upgrade for an uncracked viewfinder... I was curious if the new part was visibly better than the original in use. All in all I would say, 'Yeah, maybe, but not a real significant difference.' A little internal reflection reduction, a little more contrast which might mean a little sharper. Maybe... maybe I just want to see it as better, maybe my eyes aren't the best and someone else would find real differences. All in all I wouldn't recommend this as an 'upgrade' item, Maybe wait for more people to use them?

Installing: remove top cover. Walk the viewfinder frame out pushing from the back on the top and bottom tabs alternately. No need to bend tabs. Go slow, just wiggle it forward. When out, on the inside top of the frame is a small piece of metal. Pull this out, note orientation. Remove glass. Drop in new glass. Replace metal piece on top. Replace frame- put one tab slightly in, tilt second tab in, a little pressure to bend the tabs to let the second one slide in, Push home.

$50, including US shipping.

Well done! Looks like a perfect match for the original.
Even if it is no better or no worse than the original it's a Godsend for those out there with a good working Medalist and a smashed or cracked viewfinder. It will really increase the resale value also. Plus, it's a fairly simple install. I think it should be a hit. Now, if it only would fit my little Ricoh FF1.

 

[Alex Varas]

Just recently I used my Medalist II and I was complaining a bit of lack of contrast so I’m gonna take you one for mine and another if any Medalist come to my place and I can offer the upgrade.
Thank you, Dan and Jason!!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Oh, I forgot to add and Alex's comment reminded me:

There are two other reasons the Medalist viewfinder goes soft and loses contrast. One is dirt and such on the rear viewfinder element. This will take on a brownish tint, possibly off-gassing oil or grease. Usually sort of a mottled look if you shine a flashlight from the front. Internal cleaning should clear this.

And the rear element sometimes has separation internally. It is a simple lens mounted to a flat glass plate. This cementing can fail and you'll need to re-cement it. The flashlight test will show the separation. Remove from mounting, soak in acetone to separate and clean. Then align and use a clear cement. I use a Loctite glass cement since it is a very primitive system, but if you have access to better optical cements go for it.