Linhof Kardan Bi System part compatibility

Deleted member 88956 · May 11, 2019

As I may go crazy and get the 4x5 Linhof Kardan Bi System, does anyone have solid info on Bi part compatibility with Kardan line? I've read that some parts are not at all compatible, while some are fine from even the latest Kardan GTL. Specifically ground glass, roll film film adapters, lens boards, bellows etc are key items for long term use assurance.

Any sources of brochures on Bi System? Thanks.

B.S.Kumar · May 11, 2019

While Bob Salomon would be able to give a definitive answer, I believe that except for the rails and clamp, everything else is compatible with the Kardan line, as well as with the Master -L. The back, lens boards, bellows, etc are all the same. I have some accessories for sale - lens boards, Technika lens board adapters and Master L standards. Let me know if you'd like anything.

Kumar

Deleted member 88956 · May 11, 2019

B.S.Kumar said:
While Bob Salomon would be able to give a definitive answer, I believe that except for the rails and clamp, everything else is compatible with the Kardan line, as well as with the Master -L. The back, lens boards, bellows, etc are all the same. I have some accessories for sale - lens boards, Technika lens board adapters and Master L standards. Let me know if you'd like anything.

Kumar

I'm in the process of acquiring one, so I need to see what comes and what I might need. Just wanted to have an idea what and where to look for.

So does this mean that all Kardan (including Standard / Color etc.) line should be compatible in those areas? Looks like I'll be looking for a ground glass and since I'm probably going to get it with Technika adapter board already, then I'll be after technika lens boards in Copal 1 and 2 for now, but I will get in touch with you once I figure out any needs. Thanks for the input.

btaylor · May 12, 2019

The Kardan Color is based on the Technika so bellows, standards, etc don’t interchange with the Bi. But many parts will interchange with the Kardan Color 45s. Look up google images and you’ll see how different they are. The 45s is often crazy cheap on eBay and you can get backs, lens boards, bellows etc that will fit your Bi, which is also quite the bargain for such a sophisticated 4x5 monorail. Speaking of ground glass, I picked up a very nice one with a fresnel from one of the Chinese sellers on eBay. Much brighter than the original screen. I really don’t know why the Linhof monorails are so inexpensive, the quality and engineering is of the highest order just like their more popular cousins, the Technika line.

Deleted member 88956 · May 12, 2019

btaylor said:
The Kardan Color is based on the Technika so bellows, standards, etc don’t interchange with the Bi. But many parts will interchange with the Kardan Color 45s. Look up google images and you’ll see how different they are. The 45s is often crazy cheap on eBay and you can get backs, lens boards, bellows etc that will fit your Bi, which is also quite the bargain for such a sophisticated 4x5 monorail. Speaking of ground glass, I picked up a very nice one with a fresnel from one of the Chinese sellers on eBay. Much brighter than the original screen. I really don’t know why the Linhof monorails are so inexpensive, the quality and engineering is of the highest order just like their more popular cousins, the Technika line.

Yeah, I shorted my Color, I did mean the Color 45s. Color Kardan is clearly Technika derivative. Thanks for the input. May also look into the PRC version of ground glass, when I get to that point.

Nokton48 · May 12, 2019

Great camera. More sophisticated than the Sinar Norma. Make sure nothing is broken on it!

Data mine for the original instructions and study the original literature.

iakustov · May 13, 2019

I own Linhof Bi system with all three standards (4x5, 5x7, 8x10) and was searching for instructions etc. when trying to assemble the extension rail (the threaded part was missing).
Here is the picture of the list of accessories I found, maybe useful.

Deleted member 88956 · May 13, 2019

iakustov said:
I own Linhof Bi system with all three standards (4x5, 5x7, 8x10) and was searching for instructions etc. when trying to assemble the extension rail (the threaded part was missing).
Here is the picture of the list of accessories I found, maybe useful.
View attachment 223450

Great, very helpful. I'm trying to source out as much as I can on Linhof LF gear as it appears to be a tightly held secret on the net. Some systems could crash a server with abundance of data, Linhof ... seems like forget about even starting a server. Good thing is Linhof appears to be a well thought out system that only goes in a couple of general directions for part interchangeability.

iakustov · May 13, 2019

Witold said:
Great, very helpful. I'm trying to source out as much as I can on Linhof LF gear as it appears to be a tightly held secret on the net. Some systems could crash a server with abundance of data, Linhof ... seems like forget about even starting a server. Good thing is Linhof appears to be a well thought out system that only goes in a couple of general directions for part interchangeability.

As mentioned by Kumar above, only the rails and clamps are not exchangable with the Kardan family (GT / GTL / TL etc).
One of the difficulties I had was to proper mount the Bi Kardan with 5x7/8x10 back on the tripod and e.g. ball head with Arca-style release plate did not sound firm enough for me for that. I ended up with large 120mm in diameter leveling base (Sunway DYH120) to mount camer direclty on the gitzo tripod. There are Linhof tripods that could mount the base of the camera (if I am getting it correcly) but they are heavy (not carbon made like gitzo).

Linhof Kardan Bi System part compatibility

Deleted member 88956

B.S.Kumar

Deleted member 88956

btaylor

Deleted member 88956

Nokton48

iakustov

Deleted member 88956

iakustov

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