Technorama 617

Debusti Paolo

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Please let me know what price should I pay for a Linhof Technorama 617 second model (the seller said),fully working,equipped with clean schneider super angulon 90/5,6 FIXED (???) lens but without center filter.The viewfinder has a DRIED bubble level but the seller claims that it's usable.My questions are: how much can costs a CLA of this type of camera in europe? where? can the viewfinder be repaired?how much should I bid ? no box,case,strap,warranty.....
Thanks
P.S.
1 day left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
All the Technoramas are expensive, even the fixed lens cameras. The lens doesn't necessarily need a center filter. No idea what a CLA costs but expect to pay $3000+ for a good copy. A Technorama with a really super lens like a Schneider 110/5.6 XL will run to $5000+. I think you're better off with a top lens and a cheaper body like a Gaoersi or Fotoman.
 
I've seen the older ones go for under $2000. They are not going to make a better photo than another brand, they are very simple cameras, but they feel very nice and Leica-like and that is worthwhile.

The CLA would be about the same as it would be for a view camera lens and shutter, those run $100 in the USA. If you send it to Linhof for a CLA be prepared to pay a lot more. Everything is cleanable and repairable, even the bubble level can be refilled.

The Magnum photographer Josef Koudelka used this camera for much of his work. I wouldn't bother getting the newer interchangeable lens model, the 90mm is a great focal length and it makes for a stronger, simpler camera.
 
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some weeks ago I 've seen a clean one 617 with 90/5,6 lens( do not remember if has fixed lens) on ebay sold for 1000GBP with center filter....
 
Prices do vary with the lens. A unused copy of the latest SA XL can be more than twenty times as expensive as a single-coated SA with worn coating or Schneideritis.
 
Yes Art Panorama 170 is great camara,I own two.

how much is the value of a used one with schneider 90 5,6 lens (not sure if it's multicoated)Does the lens can be changed? where to buy them?prices?
is possible to use hend-held or is better a technorama 612???How is build?is a good camera?can be easely repaired?Value?Thanks:D
 
In 617 you either go Linhof, Gaorski, Horseman or Fuji .


While the Linhof are the most expensive, due to the fact that you can go the Linhof center and repair the thing , you can also do it with the Horseman , Gaorski ( well... ) and even with the Fuji's, not to Fuji though.

Horseman seems priced equally with the Fuji GX617, another excellent camera.

I've been searching alot for 617 cameras ( gonig to buy one as soon as funds permit ) and the Fuji seems by far, the best option : plenty of cameras available, plenty of lens available and the price is right - not cheap but not Linhof prices.

And the lenses are up there with Linhof.

The horseman seems good and to be honest, the Goerski has been rated highly as well - you just have to pick your own lens.

Fuji designed a set of lens for its camera and its "plug and play". That's what scares me in the Gaorski, that you have to fiddle against light leaks an the such.

I rate the Fuji + Horseman + Linhof up there. Linhof has a drawback : its the heaviest of them all and people DO complain about it. Fuji seems the one that has best appraisals, well thought.

And its possible to handheld both the 612 and even teh Fuji 617.. I've seen shots with both
 
And the lenses are up there with Linhof.

What's more, the lenses on Fujis are consistently good - so far I haven't seen Fuji Frankencams. Linhof (and even more so all other makers) have a very mixed variety in lenses - many Linhofs by now come with much earlier Super Angulons, the later, superior ones they were originally supplied with having been replaced and sold separately for higher profit.

Sevo
 
well so linhof cameras are like Leica???? I THINK THAT IN EBAY USA THERE IS A LINHOF 617 FIXED LENS SUPER ANGULON 90 5,6 for about 2000 euro I hope prices should go down a little:bang:...they don't know that film is died????:D
 
Perhaps you might want to consider a 4x5 camera with a 6x17 roll film back. It won't be hand holdable, but what you are asking about is marginally so. A 4x5 with 6x17 back will be cheaper I think, although the 6x17 backs are harder to find than even the 6x9 roll film backs. I am only guessing of course, since I don't own a 90mm lens, only a 75mm lens, and no 6x17 back. I haven't seen a 90mm angulon nor a 6x17 back in forever, and don't remember the prices. Anybody who does?

And of course if you are looking for hand-holdability, the 4x5, other than in Graflex, is out.
 
It takes a 5x7" to hold a 6x17cm back. But 6x12 backs can be quite affordable, and fit any 4x5" camera with international backs - a semi-panoramic camera made of a f/8 75mm SA, Century Graphic and one of these basic cheap Chinese 6x12 backs can be built for less than 700€ if you are patient enough to wait for a good bargain body and lens - and it would even be more versatile than a 6x12 Linhof.
 
It takes a 5x7" to hold a 6x17cm back. But 6x12 backs can be quite affordable, and fit any 4x5" camera with international backs - a semi-panoramic camera made of a f/8 75mm SA, Century Graphic and one of these basic cheap Chinese 6x12 backs can be built for less than 700€ if you are patient enough to wait for a good bargain body and lens - and it would even be more versatile than a 6x12 Linhof.

but I don't know how to build it( i'm a professional gardener;)),I would like to use hend held so I'm looking for a 5,6 multi coated super angulon lens(75 or 90) and would like to buy a camera "built like a tank" that could hold its value.Take a look @ ebay item 180448612518 . I could spend 1300/1400 euro within 2/3 months ....:DI've seen PAQ PRO TR35 camera from grimes but they never answered to my e-mail!!
 
Debusti, just in case you don't know, panoramic cameras are a different beast. If you are shooting with a wide lens, you are going to have to stop down to f/11 and you will probably want a center filter--wide open the vignetting is horrible and even stopped down vignetting is significant. This becomes a challenge when you want to simply hold the camera.

Having said that, I really like using my panoramic camera hand held. And I have shot without a center filter because of speed. I once in a while shoot wide open as well. I just live with the vignetting.

They can be hard to shoot with as the format takes over. It can be hard to get passed the wow-neat of the skinny images. It can be done, but it is not as easy as most imagine.

Don't get me wrong, I love my panoramic cameras. But the cameras are specialized and require additional technical and aesthetic skills.
 
You may want to consider starting with an Xpan.
It is less expensive than a 6x17, Leica-like with great lenses, uses 35mm film and capable of excellent results.
 
Debusti, just in case you don't know, panoramic cameras are a different beast. If you are shooting with a wide lens, you are going to have to stop down to f/11 and you will probably want a center filter--wide open the vignetting is horrible and even stopped down vignetting is significant. This becomes a challenge when you want to simply hold the camera.

Having said that, I really like using my panoramic camera hand held. And I have shot without a center filter because of speed. I once in a while shoot wide open as well. I just live with the vignetting.

They can be hard to shoot with as the format takes over. It can be hard to get passed the wow-neat of the skinny images. It can be done, but it is not as easy as most imagine.

Don't get me wrong, I love my panoramic cameras. But the cameras are specialized and require additional technical and aesthetic skills.

yes,I have to consider this...;)
 
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