Linhof Master Technika Tilt Shift Question & other questions

Hello!

I'm looking at a master technika with the intention to purchase. It has a broken tilt release button...so I can't evaluate how the tilt functions compared to my current wood field (which is one function combined rise/fall & tilt). Is it fiddly to use?
I read somewhere that it has a detent that makes it awkward to use?
Apart from that the camera operates quite well. The functions are very precise. The back does droop a bit when it is extended...is that normal? The clamshell design is quite nice & it deploys quickly. It does weigh more than my current camera but the standards are rock solid.
Still pondering whether it's worth the effort to switch cameras.
(One last thing I like to use rise & fall & it seems the fall function is a work around solution (turn the camera on side & use shift or rearrange the camera drop bed & straiten standards...)
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

I have a Technika IV, so similar to your Master. I never use fall, but of course it can be done by turning the camera on it’s side and using shift- awkward. My back doesn’t droop when extended. It is quite different from a wood field camera, the movements are more limited but it is a “technical” camera so very precise movements and it is fast to set up. I don’t use extreme movements with it, for architecture I use a monorail. I had the Technika before I finally bought a wood field camera- I found the field camera too fiddly to use- sold it and kept the Technika. YMMV, enjoy!

There are lots of Technika's out there, why not wait until one comes along that is complete and operates as expected?

The tilt button on my MT2000 is a pain to use, but the engineering and smoothness of the controls is a joy to use.

The back should not droop.....so you have to ask yourself how this camera has been treated with a broken tilt knob and drooping back and....what else is broken?

Mike

Thanks for the feedback. After researching online it appears the earlier Technikas like your IV have a different build quality for the back end...the rods are sturdier apparently. Still I would be curious to hear from a later model tech users to see if they have the same issue with the back not maintaining its position when pulled out.

Thanks again,

Serge

btaylor said:

My back doesn’t droop when extended. It is quite different from a wood field camera, the movements are more limited but it is a “technical” camera so very precise movements and it is fast to set up. I don’t use extreme movements with it, for architecture I use a monorail. I had the Technika before I finally bought a wood field camera- I found the field camera too fiddly to use- sold it and kept the Technika. YMMV, enjoy!

Click to expand...

Good morning Mike,

Although this camera has an issue with the tilt knob, I discounted the issue as the rest of the camera appears to be in fabulous shape mechanically & cosmetically.
(I looked up the part & it is not expensive).
The only other issue with the camera are the Rolex slide locks are very lose (about to fall off, but I don't know how to access the retain screws to tighten them up.
I looked up the serial number & the camera dates from 1980.
All other functions seem to be fine & smooth.
The rise track is not stripped & the bellows look pretty new & are light tight.

Just curious about the tilt button & why it is "a pain to use".
Is it hard to deploy or fiddly to adjust when deployed?

My only other thought is to skip this camera & look for a MT2000 as I'm not sure I would use the rangefinder & the lens is not coupled with it at present.
Want to use it for landscape work & portraits.

Thanks,

Serge

QUOTE="mpirie, post: 2145919, member: 8007"]There are lots of Technika's out there, why not wait until one comes along that is complete and operates as expected?

The tilt button on my MT2000 is a pain to use, but the engineering and smoothness of the controls is a joy to use.

The back should not droop.....so you have to ask yourself how this camera has been treated with a broken tilt knob and drooping back and....what else is broken?

Mike[/QUOTE]

I have had the Technika V and later upgraded to the Master Technika.

The build quality on both is excellent. The Tech V had slightly thicker extension rods for the back but allowed less movement than the Master Technika back extension.

I think there was a greater degree of tilt on the front on the Master Technika as well. You can look up the specs for both to compare.

The Master Technika has the flap that opens on the top of the body, handy if you use wide-angle lenses and use rise.

If the Master Technika body is over-all in good shape and it is a good price then you should get it and have it serviced.

This is a precision camera and will need adjustment periodically but will give you years of service.

Hi Scott,

Just saw this.

Thanks for the feedback. The MT I am looking at is it very nice shape. It has a tiny nick in one rail, but overall looks very nice.
It has been used, but I would rate it 8+
It has a very nice apo sironar 150 lens on a flat generic board.
I to hold of the screw from Nippon for the tilt knob.
I will have it serviced & a cam cut when I get a chance as I am paying $2800 + tx for it.
Still mulling it over, but Laflex told me the year it was made was one of the best in terms of technical expertise on assembling the camera.
I use a deardorff now, but thought the precision aspect appealing. Plus the rigid standards a big plus!
It seems to be makes value from what I have been told.
Laflex told me it was a good buy.
I spoke with a few other dealers about it as well.

Serge

sharpnikkor said:

I have had the Technika V and later upgraded to the Master Technika.

The build quality on both is excellent. The Tech V had slightly thicker extension rods for the back but allowed less movement than the Master Technika back extension.

I think there was a greater degree of tilt on the front on the Master Technika as well. You can look up the specs for both to compare.

The Master Technika has the flap that opens on the top of the body, handy if you use wide-angle lenses and use rise.

If the Master Technika body is over-all in good shape and it is a good price then you should get it and have it serviced.

This is a precision camera and will need adjustment periodically but will give you years of service.

Click to expand...

Hi Scott,

Just saw this.

Thanks for the feedback. The MT I am looking at is it very nice shape. It has a tiny nick in one rail, but overall looks very nice.
It has been used, but I would rate it 8+
It has a very nice apo sironar 150 lens on a flat generic board.
I to hold of the screw from Nippon for the tilt knob.
I will have it serviced & a cam cut when I get a chance as I am paying $2800 + tx for it.
Still mulling it over, but Laflex told me the year it was made was one of the best in terms of technical expertise on assembling the camera.
I use a deardorff now, but thought the precision aspect appealing. Plus the rigid standards a big plus!
It seems to be makes value from what I have been told.
Laflex told me it was a good buy.
I spoke with a few other dealers about it as well.

Serge

sharpnikkor said:

I have had the Technika V and later upgraded to the Master Technika.

The build quality on both is excellent. The Tech V had slightly thicker extension rods for the back but allowed less movement than the Master Technika back extension.

I think there was a greater degree of tilt on the front on the Master Technika as well. You can look up the specs for both to compare.

The Master Technika has the flap that opens on the top of the body, handy if you use wide-angle lenses and use rise.

If the Master Technika body is over-all in good shape and it is a good price then you should get it and have it serviced.

This is a precision camera and will need adjustment periodically but will give you years of service.

Click to expand...