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Back latch knob at center. Red window (covered) to its left. Field of view sight pins just behind knobs us the pneumatic shutter nipple in the middle as the third sighting pin. They show the edges of the 120 degree field of view.
spent some time in the austrian alps
the entire valley is filled with contraptions for their hydroelectric system
rolleicord Va, kodak portra 400, diy development in tetenal
Please pardon the dust and debris. I haven't seen this camera in 30 years. This old acquaintance gave way to the new breed of cameras in the 80's and was relegated to storage. It is both highly praised and soundly damned. It is in fact a great camera for it's time. It has one of the best medium format lenses ever developed. It's not as "TOO HEAVY" as many have said, (it's the same weight - exactly - as a Nikon F Photomic with a 50mm f1.4 Nikkor = 2 pounds, 14 onces.) And has roughly six times the image area.
It's a very stout and well built camera. It will make wonderful images. It, and the first version, was a favorite of U.S. Navy photographers, (as well as other service photographers,) during WWII. It is a "fiddly" camera that takes a bit of time for familiarity.
It has it's faults for sure: very bright but too small of a viewfinder, very accurate but way too small of a rangefinder, cranky loading procedure, split shutter speed dial, (register,) and it's globular shape is hard to hold on to. The instruction manual suggests that the thumb be placed on the bottom of the camera while pressing the shutter release: - WHY? - because the shutter release is pretty damn stiff - THAT'S WHY !!
It was definitely a connoisseur's camera. It's 1946 price of $312.00 translates to $3,675.61 dollars of buying power in 2012. It is still a camera that commands respect - if not daily use. It had several innovations that set it apart from other cameras of the time, (or any time - for that matter.)
The back is hinged on both sides. It can open from either side or be completely removed. It has a simple lever for cocking the shutter if a double exposure is needed. It's twin helix lens barrel is easy and precise to focus. The engraving is precise and easy to read, (though a bit small for these old eyes.) It's focus/depth of field indicator is a coupled, rotating circle gage, on the top of the camera where it's easily visible. There is an available sheet film / pack film back with ground glass focusing hood if needed. The lens on the Medalist II is a 100mm, 5 element, coated, Heliar design f3.5. It is exceptional. The shutter is phenomenally quiet and runs very accurately.
This is an American made bit of precision that has both historic significance and technological substance. And, to think, at one time I nearly gave it away.