Linhof Master Technika Classic: focusing with rangefinder

[MarcoA]

Browsing the Linhof site I could not find any focusing cam being sold. Does this mean that the most recent Master Technika prevents you from coupling a lens with the rangefinder? That is, you have to focus via the rangefinder, determine the distance, and then manually set the distance on the bed for whatever lens is being used?

I am playing around with the idea of buying a recent one (say, 15-ish year old) to be used only with a monopod, and I would like to understand how realistic it is to have a system with a pair of lenses and coupled rangefinder. Again, not interested in IV or V versions but only in cameras vintage ~2005 and later.

Thanks!

 

[Oren Grad]

You don't buy Technika cams "off the shelf". You send the camera and your lenses to an authorized service provider, and they "carve" the cams to match your specific lenses and also check and, if necessary, adjust the camera to make sure the rangefinder is properly calibrated.

So that cost expectations are realistic: in the most recent Linhof price list that I have, dated Sept 1, 2018, the catalog number for having the factory prepare a cam for your lenses is 001717, and the cost per lens is 345 euro, exclusive of VAT.

 

[MarcoA]

You don't buy Technika cams "off the shelf". You send the camera and your lenses to an authorized service provider, and they "carve" the cams to match your specific lenses and also check and, if necessary, adjust the camera to make sure the rangefinder is properly calibrated.

So that cost expectations are realistic: in the most recent Linhof price list that I have, dated Sept 1, 2018, the catalog number for having the factory prepare a cam for your lenses is 001717, and the cost per lens is 345 euro, exclusive of VAT.

Makes sense, thanks. My lack of understanding of this cam business originated by watching cams being sold on Ebay, so I thought that a “180mm” cam was for all 180mm lenses. Silly me. What’s the point of buying a used cam then, if it does not come with the relative lens? Is there some other use I am not aware of?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

An unmatched cam may be pretty close, if you set the infinity stop accurately, but it won’t be as precise as a serial number matched cam. If you don’t need to shoot with the lens at maximum aperture, an unmatched cam may be good enough. Linhof service can regrind unmatched cams to match your lens, so if you happen to have an unmatched cam for a lens of similar focal length to the one you want to cam, check with your Linhof service shop to see if they will do that for you, to avoid the parts cost of a blank cam.

 

[Bob S]

If you have a Super Technika V or the Master you can just send the lens in for camming.
Camming packages include a pair of infinity stops and the focusing scale.

when you send the camera in with the lens then the service center installs those for you as well as cutting the cam.

if you don’t send the camera in then you have to install them. The focusing scale is easy you just slide the scale stage off, place the scale in the proper position, there are 3 positions on each scale stage, and carefully screw in the 2 screws from the bottom of the stage.

infinity stops can be a bit more difficult as their mounting screws have sharpened points that dig into the bed rails. If you install them incorrectly the screws will leave dimples on the chrome rails that can not be removed.

You can frequently see these dimples on cameras that used unmatched cams and then the owner kept resetting the stops.

cams are service items, not accessories so that is why they are not in the price list. The factory supplies blank cams for the focal lengths that can be coupled and then that cam has to be ground to match the specific lens by serial number.
Cams for the Master and the V have the lens serial number stamped on the bottom of the cam.
For the IV both the camera and the lens serial number are stamped on the cam.

 

[MarcoA]

Thank you very much for such detailed and complete answers. I learnt a great deal today! Yup, the Linhof Master Technika is a truly fascinating camera, no matter how old it is. Love it!
Cheers

 

[Nokton48]

www.glennview.com has always been a good resource for me. He has some Linhof cams

 

[Bob S]

But he has none properly cut for the poster’s specific lens.
Read this thread so you will know in the future why that is not good advice if an owner really wants best performance from his camera!

 

[KenS]

I acquired an extreme dislike for the 'cammed' Linhof since I much preferred using it on a tripod rather than 'hand-held'
and a few years later 'swapped' it for a Linhof monorail. I will be a 'cold day' in 'you-know-where' before I would consider
going back to hand-holding again.

Ken

 

[Paul Howell]

I cant speak to the Linhof, but I really like shooting hand held with my Crown Graphic, sometimes with a monopod, very seldom on a tripod. It's my go to 4X5 when hiking. On the other hand when shooting close to car I generally use a tripod. What nice about a crown and I believe the Linhof is that I can shoot using either the rangefinder or ground glass back. I've always lusted for a Technika with matched lens and cames.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I love the option of shooting handheld with the Technika and also being able to use the rangefinder with the camera on a tripod and film loaded and ready to shoot to check focus with a moving subject before releasing the shutter (e.g. portraits).

For me the Technika is a great travel camera, for when I might want to shoot handheld press camera style sometimes, and have view camera movements other times. I've also done that by traveling with a small medium format folder for handheld shots and a 4x5" Gowland Pocket View for tripod shots. Lately my compromise is to use a 6x9 Technika for both, but that one's in the shop at the moment.

That said, a press camera like a Crown Graphic is lighter and more agile handheld.