Linhof 2x3 Press camera

[x-ray]

Frank is the cam part of the lens mount like a Leica of Canon lens. I Don't think Ive handled one in forty years. Actually the only ones I've seen were the later model Press. One had the double anatomical grips and one had a crank to advance film and co I it. The right hand grip functioned to wind and advance film too.

 

[FrankS]

The lens and cam are a unit so it should be fine, right?

 

[x-ray]

Correct as long as your RF is in calibration.

Linhof RFs are very robust. Neither of the two that I had with RFs ever needed adjusted and I had my Master for almost thirty years and carried it all over the US on jobs.

 

[FrankS]

The RF patch is difficult to see/I haven't adapted to it yet. I'm thinking this is a fine landscape camera using the the focus scale and DOF marks.

 

[x-ray]

Does yours have a ground glass back? Did you get a roll back?

 

[FrankS]

Just a roll back. I'll keep my eye out for a groun glass back.

Here's a pic. Once loaded, is just one stroke of the film advance lever needed, or 2?
Also, what does the sliding knob indicated by the arrow do? My manual doesn't cover the roll film back.

 

[x-ray]

One stroke of the advance advances the full frame. You can use multiple short stokes if you like. Your advance lever is a little different than the ones I had.

The button you're pointing to releases the internal mechanism to advance the film to the next frame. Each time you make a shot click the release and advance the film until the wind lever stops.

When loading the we've rolled may lock. It's no issue if they do. Just flip that release and advance until you see the arrows on the paper leader in the windows inside the back.

If you have any issues or questions send a PM. I can send my email too and you can send photos if needed.

Did you notice the back rotates? There's a single lever on the bottom right that releases the back to remove it.

Edit: I see your back release is on the upper right.

Heavy isn't it!

 

[FrankS]

I've heard cameras called beasts before, but this is the mother of all beasts. 🙂

Thank you, x-ray!

 

[x-ray]

I've heard cameras called beasts before, but this is the mother of all beasts. 🙂

Thank you, x-ray!

If you ever get in a tight situation you can use it to defend yourself.

 

[bideford]

Are you still interested, James?

Mine came today but with just the normal lens. Where are the serial numbers to check? It seems that the lens distance scale and the camera body's focus distance scale agree. That's probably good enough.

Hi Frank,

Yes please - still interested in the manual.

If you look at the 3 way cam there should be a corresponding serial number engraved on one of the arms that matches the serial number of your lens. (I'm no expert btw!).

James

 

[x-ray]

Hi Frank,

Yes please - still interested in the manual.

If you look at the 3 way cam there should be a corresponding serial number engraved on one of the arms that matches the serial number of your lens. (I'm no expert btw!).

James

James

Which model do you have. Franks doesn't have a 3 way cam. It's part of the lens / helical focusing mount like a Leica M lens.

I've had two Linhofs that had RFs. My Master Technika that I used for nearly thirty thirty years had individual cams for each lens. My Technika 70 had a circular cam with 3 sides each corresponding to a specific focal length lens. The cam fit under the focusing rails and could be rotated with a button of sorts to position the correct side / cam for the appropriate lens. Each cam Was ground for a specific lens as as you say part of the serial number or focal length appears on the appropriate cam.

Both the Master 4x5 and Technika 70 2x3 have bellows. Franks camera has no bellows. It's a rigid body with a helical focus mount. Does your camera have a bellows? Post a photo of your camera.

I know from a couple of other Technika owners that I knew that the cams are close enough in many cases even if its for another lens of the same FL. I bought my Master just after they came out in the mid 70's. I had several lenses I sent to Linhof to get cams cut for. My 210 was a convertible Symmar and several years later I upgraded to a 210 Symmar S. I reset my infinity stops to match the FL of the lens (very important to set correctly) and tested the new lens with the old cam and it worked perfectly. I used this combination for fifteen or twenty years in my work without issue.

Give it a try. Just make sure the infinity stops on the rails are set correctly. Correct is when the focus is set to infinity and the lens is focusing at its best at infinity. I had several colleagues with Technika V that had cams from different lenses that worked properly.

 

[FrankS]

James, does your camera look like mine in post #12? Like x-ray said, my camera has a rigid front, with no front clamshell cover and focusing tracks.

My film back has an issue. The film transport release slide doesn't release the roller, so I can't even load the film. I need to get inside to see what's going on. I've removed the leatherette and unscrewed the exposed screws, but no joy yet. Any ideas?

 

[x-ray]

Your back is ok. Every back I've owned was that way even the new ones. I think they designed it that way to put tension on the film. Pull a little more leader out and load it. When you get the film tight across the rollers put the insert in the back and release the catch. The film will take a little pressure on the wind but it should transport to the first frame. Then slide the release and advance to frame 2.

What you're experiencing is normal for Linhof backs. I had several new ones and a half dozen used. They are all that way.

 

[FrankS]

Cool! Hope you're right. That release button doesn't feel right though. It's already at its far end of travel. But I'll try your suggestion. Thanks again!

 

[x-ray]

When the back cover is closed it releases the mechanism I side. Seems like there was a pin on the insert that the back cover pushed when it's closed. Everything should transport correctly then.

The release latch most likely was pushed so it's staying it's staying in the released position. When you advance to the first frame it should snap back to the locked position.

 

[bideford]

James

Which model do you have. Franks doesn't have a 3 way cam. It's part of the lens / helical focusing mount like a Leica M lens.

I've had two Linhofs that had RFs. My Master Technika that I used for nearly thirty thirty years had individual cams for each lens. My Technika 70 had a circular cam with 3 sides each corresponding to a specific focal length lens. The cam fit under the focusing rails and could be rotated with a button of sorts to position the correct side / cam for the appropriate lens. Each cam Was ground for a specific lens as as you say part of the serial number or focal length appears on the appropriate cam.

Both the Master 4x5 and Technika 70 2x3 have bellows. Franks camera has no bellows. It's a rigid body with a helical focus mount. Does your camera have a bellows? Post a photo of your camera.

I know from a couple of other Technika owners that I knew that the cams are close enough in many cases even if its for another lens of the same FL. I bought my Master just after they came out in the mid 70's. I had several lenses I sent to Linhof to get cams cut for. My 210 was a convertible Symmar and several years later I upgraded to a 210 Symmar S. I reset my infinity stops to match the FL of the lens (very important to set correctly) and tested the new lens with the old cam and it worked perfectly. I used this combination for fifteen or twenty years in my work without issue.

Give it a try. Just make sure the infinity stops on the rails are set correctly. Correct is when the focus is set to infinity and the lens is focusing at its best at infinity. I had several colleagues with Technika V that had cams from different lenses that worked properly.

Hi x-ray,

First let me just say I'm new to LF so apologies if I'm wrong in any way!

The camera I'm referring to was a Super Technika IV 6x9 - also (perhaps earlier models) known as a 23 - hence my confusion. Yes it does have a bellows (it's the smaller version of the 4x5).

No pictures as I returned it due to the 3 cam serial mismatch (one was even a different focal length!).

I do now understand the 2x3 Press is a different model - hence a different rangefinder system.

So the confusion is mine - again apologies.

James

 

[Hatchetman]

that thing looks very cool!

 

[FrankS]

Wow! It worked just like you said, x-ray. You saved me some significant and unnecessary grief. Thank you! Now to expose some film! 🙂

 

[x-ray]

Excellent Frank. Now have fun.

James I had a 2x3 Technika V without the RF (they were available that way) and a Technika 70 which has an integrated VF/RF meter. Basically it's the same camera as you had but newer. Sorry to hear you returned it. Most likely it would have worked just fine.

 

[bideford]

Excellent Frank. Now have fun.

James I had a 2x3 Technika V without the RF (they were available that way) and a Technika 70 which has an integrated VF/RF meter. Basically it's the same camera as you had but newer. Sorry to hear you returned it. Most likely it would have worked just fine.

Yes x-ray - camera returned but it really was not in a condition commensurate with the price and certainly not as described in the sale.

However, I have now taken delivery of another Super Technika 6x9/2x3 (III according to Bob on the LF forum) with single lever back release. Three Linhof stamped Schneider - Kreunznach lenses (Angulon 1:6.8/65, Xenar 1:3.5/105 and Tele-Xenar 1:5.5/180) - all of which seem to rangefinder focus correctly with the GG. Interestingly only the 105 serial is engraved on the 3 way cam but all three lens serials do match the production date of the camera.

Usual beauty marks (it is a user rather than a shelf queen) but appears mechanically sound.

Looking forward to getting familiar with it!

James