Vintage 4x5 Rangefinder Find

[CameraQuest]

It's really difficult to find rangefinder cammed lenses for the Linhof Tech III 4x5, because each focusing cam was cut individually by Linhof for that particular lens for that particular body. Introduced after WWII in 1946, most Tech III cams and lenses have gone their separate ways in their half a century plus of existence.

Yesterday I was not in the market for a Linhof Tech II, but could not resist what I found at the Carson camera show.

A really nice condition Tech III Type I of 1946 with SIX cammed lenses in its original fitted Linhof case with both 4x5 and 9x12 backs! It turns out that it was a presentation camera set to an American Air Force test pilot right after the war.

90/8 Schneider Angulon uncoated in Compur shutter
110/12 Rodenstock Perigon uncoated in Compur shutter
150/3.5 Schneider Xenar uncoated in Compur shutter
6 1/4"/4.5 Graflex Optar coated in Graphex shutter
210/4.5 Rodenstock Ysar uncoated in Compur shutter
360/5.5 Schneider Tele Xenar coated in Compur shutter

Hmm. Rangefinders are where you find them.

Stephen

 

[erikhaugsby]

What was it priced at?
More importantly, did you buy it?

 

[wlewisiii]

I'm going to go and whine piteously in the corner right now...

😉

Good find! Let's see some shots from that 90!

William

 

[BillBingham2]

Way cool find. Very interesting mix of lenses. I wonder why the camera was presented to the Pilot? Easier than a cow to take home?

Cameras show up in the most interesting parts of history.

B2 (;->

 

[DougK]

Very cool find! I'm highly jealous... I'm fascinated with the idea of a large format rangefinder and that would be a great one to play with.

 

[rogue_designer]

I know how hard it is to find cams for the horseman rf's - I can only imagine it is worse for the linhofs. Nice find!

 

[KoNickon]

Very cool, Stephen. I look forward to a writeup at your site!

 

[embdude]

Do you have any photos of the camera? I am doing research on the Technika III and have yet been able to locate the earliest variant with an intact rangefinder.