Linhof Technika-Built like a Tank!-My Experience

[x-ray]

I've used Linhof Technikas for almost forty years now and always felt they were about as well butilt as cameras can be. I recently purchased a super clean Technika 23 from a dealen in Prague with a super rolex back, hood, filters, focusing reflex viewer and a 100 2.8 planar and 53 f2 super angulon. The body and accesories were shipped and the lenses delayed for a cla. When the body and accesories arrived the package had been mashed flat with a tire track across the top of the package plus it was soaking wet. Even the postman freaked at what we expected to find inside.

I got my courage up and gave my wife my G10 to shoot video as I opened it for insurance purposes. I was certain I would find a mangled camera and crushed accesories. As I opened the flat wet package I discovered the shipper wrapped everyting in a plactic bag and sealed it so everything inside was dry. As I dug into the package I pulled out the reflex viewer and GG back it was in perfect condition. Next came the hood and it too was in perfect condition. Next came the Technika body and super rolex attached. Feeling it in the packing it looked like the tire of the vehicle went directly over the camera and back which prevented the accesories from being broken. As I removed the camera I saw that it visually looked great. I was still in fear the body was warped and the back ruined but on cloiser inspection nothing was damaged. It looks and functions perfectly with absolutely no evidence of damage.

I would never have believed this possible and can't think of any other camera that could take this punishment. Tomorrow the lenses should arrive so let's hope they haven't been put through the same torture.

 

[peter_n]

Lucky you, and that's a beautiful camera. 🙂 I had a similar incident a few years ago with a package of darkroom equipment from B&H in New York. Everything was wrecked.

 

[x-ray]

I decided to check with Marflex regarding sending the camera and back to see if there was any unseen damage and the went to my post office to see if there is a time limit on insurance claims. I took a photo of the package and the labels off the package. To my surprise the postmaster said the package was uninsured. Unbelievable!!!! A $2100 camera and lenses shipped from the Czech Republic by a dealer and not insured. The shipping charge was $100 and I would have assumed it to be insured. NO!!! I contacted the dealer Saturday by email to tell them what had happened and again today and did not receive a response from Saturdays email. My wife had to sign for the package but it turned out to be a signature request only with no insurance. We'll see f I get one tomorrow.

Fortunately there doesn't seem to be any damage but I haven't gotten my lenses yet and hopefully they will arrive OK.

By the way, the company is cameramate.com so be carefull if you buy from them.

 

[jan normandale]

bizarre story but also amazing.

 

[peter_n]

No insurance! 😱 You're doubly lucky! Hope the lenses arrive OK tomorrow...