Linhof Standard advice wanted

I have the possibility to buy a Linhof Standard camera with three lenses (105 xenar, 180 summar and 315 unspecified) for just under 600 $. It seems to be a good deal; an affordable way to start in large format as I have no previous experience in this size. It also comes with a 6x7 back and a tripod ...
But: I don´t really know this camera and info is scarce. It seems to be quite a simple camera in terms of its construction. Seems to have all the movements.
Anyone can give me a hint on this one ? I´d be grateful.

Wouter

Wouter from Brazil said:

I have the possibility to buy a Linhof Standard camera with three lenses (105 xenar, 180 summar and 315 unspecified) for just under 600 $. It seems to be a good deal; an affordable way to start in large format as I have no previous experience in this size. It also comes with a 6x7 back and a tripod ...
But: I don´t really know this camera and info is scarce. It seems to be quite a simple camera in terms of its construction. Seems to have all the movements.
Anyone can give me a hint on this one ? I´d be grateful.

Wouter

Click to expand...

What Linhof do you mean? The Linhof Standard - as in the pre-War model to the Technika III or as in the Linhof Standard Press? What has Google turned up for you?

We recently sold our Technika III type V set with four linhof lenses for nearly 800 euro - and the buyer had a good deal. But the reason we sold it is that we did not like the positioning of the movement control knobs on the front standard - in the Tech III series they are placed below, in the IV series Linhof has improved this and placed the knobs high on the lensboard - makes handling a lot easier. The low placed knobs are in the way of the lens board struts, especially when you're trying to focus a wide angle lens that sits nearly inside the camera. This was too fiddely as fas as we were concerned, so we kept a Graphic View instead, which seems more comfortable in handling. Bigger knobs, more movements, easier to adjust, also in cold windy weather. The price you pay is that you're lugging a monorail monster around when doing landscapes.

Okay, this was a long manner of telling you to seriously consider how practical this camera really is! Try it out, set it up, mount and unmount lenses, look at the GG (yes, dark!), check the lenses, etc. etc. (but you might know all this already).

Some comparison: we saw a working pre-Technika III model Linhof on the fair in Houten with one lens and that cost only 150 euro. (Providing this is what you're talking about.)

Additional reading on the Linhof series newer than the II in this classic article: cameraquest

Hope this helps!

I'm pretty sure that 105 Xenar will only cover 6x9,not 4x5 : so you will need to consider acquiring another standard lens for 4x5 use..

$600 is probably around the right price for that kit. I'm guessing this is the Standard Press, which is an early version of the Tech III. Indeed, I doubt the 105mm Xenar will cover 4x5", unless this is in fact a 6x9cm camera or you meant to type 150mm. A 150mm would be a normal lens for 4x5". Are any of the lenses cammed, so you can use the rangefinder? I find the rangefinder a real attraction of the Technikas, and while Technikas are real precision instruments and are built like tanks, there are plenty of cameras that are easier to use, lighter, and are in some ways more versatile, so I wouldn't get it unless it had at least one properly cammed lens. The serial number of the lens should be on one side of the cam, and the serial number of the camera should be on the other side, and with a camera that old, you definitely want to check the focus in the rangefinder at a few different distances against the focus on the groundglass with a loupe.

I have a Linhof Standard Press, this was a 9x12 cm press camera, taking sheets of film in single metal holders. It has double extension bellows, rising front movement only and a one-position drop baseboard which gives too much tilt for most purposes. It has no wide-angle track, i.e. to focus a lens, you have to pull the front standard out past the hinge onto the baseboard.

The price you are talking about is not too bad for the three lenses alone, the rollfilm holder makes the camera usable, the build quality of this camera is just as great as any other Linhof, but the lack of movements (repeat NO back movements, rising front only) is quite limiting. I had an MPP 4x5" back fitted to mine, it made it more practical but I still soon laid it aside for other cameras.

Regards,

David

Linhof Standard

there is a Linhof Standard Monorail,which has all the movements and is quite a basic camera,the only real problem with them is upgrading,the 180/315 would be one lens with 315 being the converted rear element--this is now quite an old lens
$600 not too bad a deal so long as the tripod is decent .
best regards