bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
I have a line on a Linhof Super Technika V, bellows in good shape, cosmetically in good user condition. Includes a Symmar 5.6/150 lens.
1. Price is $1000, does this seem about right?
2. I have heard good things about the other Technika models ...
a. the III gets good reviews but I heard the lens boards are unique to that model and not interchangeable with later versions. Is this correct?
b. the IV and V are very similar, from what I understand. Is there any advantage to either?
As a beginner getting into 4x5, would getting a good 'user' Linhof be a good option? Any input would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks!
1. Price is $1000, does this seem about right?
2. I have heard good things about the other Technika models ...
a. the III gets good reviews but I heard the lens boards are unique to that model and not interchangeable with later versions. Is this correct?
b. the IV and V are very similar, from what I understand. Is there any advantage to either?
As a beginner getting into 4x5, would getting a good 'user' Linhof be a good option? Any input would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks!
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Yes, stay away from the III if you want full compatibility with later stuff. I've owned the IV, and was happy with it.
Shac
Well-known
Have you seen our head bartender's article on technikas? Its here http://www.cameraquest.com/techs.htm
Technikas are fabulous (I used to have - IV) depending on what you will use it for a superspeed graphic could be a cheaper alternative. The III's (esp. model 5) are excellent and the lens board incompatability is not really an issue unless you plan to move up to newer versions. Also you can make your own - I did.
Good luck
Technikas are fabulous (I used to have - IV) depending on what you will use it for a superspeed graphic could be a cheaper alternative. The III's (esp. model 5) are excellent and the lens board incompatability is not really an issue unless you plan to move up to newer versions. Also you can make your own - I did.
Good luck
John Lawrence
Well-known
Go for the latest model you can afford, and $1000 sounds a good price for the V.
I'd avoid the III because it's just more trouble to find (or have a precision engineer make) the lensboards for it, and some of the later parts need 'tweaking' to make them fit.
John
I'd avoid the III because it's just more trouble to find (or have a precision engineer make) the lensboards for it, and some of the later parts need 'tweaking' to make them fit.
John
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
Thanks everyone, it sounds like I'm on the right track ... although I have thought about the Crown / Speed Graphic as a cheaper alternative.
I will keep researching the Linhof IV / V and see what I come up with.
I will keep researching the Linhof IV / V and see what I come up with.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I'm pretty sure that the V has the linked rear focusing track for ultrawides and the IV doesn't: I had a 6x9 ST IV and have a 13x18 T (no RF) V.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
The V doesn't have that rear linkage either Roger, it came with the Master.
$1000 for a V w lens is good deal so long as it's not trashed.
Roughly speaking and in the USA, I would pay $1300 for a good V with a newer bellows and no issues. About $1000 for a IV, about $600 for a III, about $1800 for a Master.
A 1960s Linhof selected Schneider Symmar 150mm lens is worth $150-$200 in good shape. 1970s Symmar-S or 1980s Rodenstock Sironar-N another $50 to $100, a modern APO-L $350-$400. About the same for the 135mm and 210mm lenses.
The Ergo Grip is $75-$150. The older viewfinder $150, the newer Zoom finder $300-$450 (and much better than the old VF).
If the V doesn't work out, the best bang for the buck is a IV. The big difference between them is that the V has is a ratcheted rise lever that often strips its gears. The IV uses a knob, which is harder to get at with a 90mm lens but you can just extend the front, raise the front, then return the front to focus position. The IV is otherwise stronger and less expensive.
From the V onwards Linhof standardized the focusing cams so that they are interchangeable between all the cameras. But in practice most people find it still worthwhile to return their cameras and lenses to the service center to be checked and aligned even if they are using standardized cams.
The Master is more friendly to use wide angle lenses with because it has the ratcheted rise and flap on top of the main housing to allow extra rise with the bellows compressed. Whether that is worth the premium is for you to decide.
I wouldn't get a III unless it was pristine as nobody wants to work on them and they don't have an easy to use front tilt mechanism. The lensboards are a pain too.
Service can be expensive and even the newer Masters have been made for 30 years, so its bellows can be just as gummy and fried as an older model. A new bellows is at least $300, they are very thin leather and high quality in order to fold up so thin yet still have more extension than other field cameras. The Technika is really the only 4x5 folder you can hang a heavy (Copal 3 shutter, 300mm) lens on and not be worried about rigidity. The other nice thing is that with the special recessed lensboards, you can fold the thing up with relatively large lenses like the 180 Symmar in a Copal 1 or the 135 Xenotar in Compur 1. Their rangefinders are also excellent.
Besides the bellows going to Hell every 15 years or so, what else sucks is the focusing hood (leather side panels rip and flop about) and the damned weight and expense of them. Also the backs are something to watch when you buy them as there are many types of fresnels that people have tried over the years and a lot of them botched the alignment so you'll want to check them out.
I've owned four of them. The best one ever was a beater IV I bought that had a short 12-inch bellows from a Crown Graphic installed (I don't use long lenses) and also the Crown Graphic all-metal focusing hood. Stripped the horrid tan leather off and replaced it with cameraleather.com black covering. It was a very strong, almost indestructible camera.
But in general, it is like a classic car, you don't want to cheap out on the parts or servicing. The right way to get a Linhof is to send it to Marflex (the USA service center) and have Martin Ardnt (ph 1-252-652-4401) give it his $200 to $800 going over and blessing.
Right now I use a $200 Crown Graphic. It is almost half the weight and since I rarely use a lot of movements, it is functionally identical, rather like how a $100 Nikon will do everything a $3000 Leica will do. I will get another Linhof someday when I get a windfall but I think it is better to buy film and not be bothered with cameras that are too precious. Cool hobby though, wanking off to gear ;-)
$1000 for a V w lens is good deal so long as it's not trashed.
Roughly speaking and in the USA, I would pay $1300 for a good V with a newer bellows and no issues. About $1000 for a IV, about $600 for a III, about $1800 for a Master.
A 1960s Linhof selected Schneider Symmar 150mm lens is worth $150-$200 in good shape. 1970s Symmar-S or 1980s Rodenstock Sironar-N another $50 to $100, a modern APO-L $350-$400. About the same for the 135mm and 210mm lenses.
The Ergo Grip is $75-$150. The older viewfinder $150, the newer Zoom finder $300-$450 (and much better than the old VF).
If the V doesn't work out, the best bang for the buck is a IV. The big difference between them is that the V has is a ratcheted rise lever that often strips its gears. The IV uses a knob, which is harder to get at with a 90mm lens but you can just extend the front, raise the front, then return the front to focus position. The IV is otherwise stronger and less expensive.
From the V onwards Linhof standardized the focusing cams so that they are interchangeable between all the cameras. But in practice most people find it still worthwhile to return their cameras and lenses to the service center to be checked and aligned even if they are using standardized cams.
The Master is more friendly to use wide angle lenses with because it has the ratcheted rise and flap on top of the main housing to allow extra rise with the bellows compressed. Whether that is worth the premium is for you to decide.
I wouldn't get a III unless it was pristine as nobody wants to work on them and they don't have an easy to use front tilt mechanism. The lensboards are a pain too.
Service can be expensive and even the newer Masters have been made for 30 years, so its bellows can be just as gummy and fried as an older model. A new bellows is at least $300, they are very thin leather and high quality in order to fold up so thin yet still have more extension than other field cameras. The Technika is really the only 4x5 folder you can hang a heavy (Copal 3 shutter, 300mm) lens on and not be worried about rigidity. The other nice thing is that with the special recessed lensboards, you can fold the thing up with relatively large lenses like the 180 Symmar in a Copal 1 or the 135 Xenotar in Compur 1. Their rangefinders are also excellent.
Besides the bellows going to Hell every 15 years or so, what else sucks is the focusing hood (leather side panels rip and flop about) and the damned weight and expense of them. Also the backs are something to watch when you buy them as there are many types of fresnels that people have tried over the years and a lot of them botched the alignment so you'll want to check them out.
I've owned four of them. The best one ever was a beater IV I bought that had a short 12-inch bellows from a Crown Graphic installed (I don't use long lenses) and also the Crown Graphic all-metal focusing hood. Stripped the horrid tan leather off and replaced it with cameraleather.com black covering. It was a very strong, almost indestructible camera.
But in general, it is like a classic car, you don't want to cheap out on the parts or servicing. The right way to get a Linhof is to send it to Marflex (the USA service center) and have Martin Ardnt (ph 1-252-652-4401) give it his $200 to $800 going over and blessing.
Right now I use a $200 Crown Graphic. It is almost half the weight and since I rarely use a lot of movements, it is functionally identical, rather like how a $100 Nikon will do everything a $3000 Leica will do. I will get another Linhof someday when I get a windfall but I think it is better to buy film and not be bothered with cameras that are too precious. Cool hobby though, wanking off to gear ;-)
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
Thanks to everyone for their input and comments -- Roger & Frank, your input is appreciated.
Having owned an old 'classic' car (a 1962 VW), I found the analogy quite illuminating...
Marflex sounds like the specialist garage to take care of the Linhofs ...
Having owned an old 'classic' car (a 1962 VW), I found the analogy quite illuminating...
Marflex sounds like the specialist garage to take care of the Linhofs ...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
You are of course right about the linkage, Frank, but I just checked my 13x18 V (I don't think there ever was a 13x18 Master), and found out why I mis-remembered. The rear track has its own geared drive. I don't know if this is also the case for the smaller models, but (knowing Linhof) I suspect it might be.
Bobby: do you ever get to France? I might be persuaded to sell the V for around $1000, complete with 210 Symmar, but only to someone who had tried it first. (I also have a Gandolfi Variant with 5x7 back and a 210 Sironar, so I'd not be depriving myself).
Cheers,
R.
Bobby: do you ever get to France? I might be persuaded to sell the V for around $1000, complete with 210 Symmar, but only to someone who had tried it first. (I also have a Gandolfi Variant with 5x7 back and a 210 Sironar, so I'd not be depriving myself).
Cheers,
R.
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John Lawrence
Well-known
maddoc
... likes film again.
Good to know ! So far I am happy with my IV, use it with a Fujinon-W 180/5.6 and an old Angulon 90/6.8 (which I got with a recessed Linhof board and a "90m" cam)
cnphoto
Well-known
Selling my whole 4x5 / large format setup:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=25852
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=25852