Linhof Technika User feedback request

I'm looking into Linhof Technika line. I'm not fully on board with rangefinder arrangement and issues. And this is my main question. I am likely to go after 6x9, Super Technika or Technika 70, but 4x5 will remain in play. I'm not sure I want to drag the 4x5 around, especially with 6x9 reduction pieces, but there is a lot I need to digest about these cameras before making a purchase anyways. I am aware these are heavy cameras and am not asking input on this part at all, will not drive me away from them.

1. If I understand past comments correctly, for rangefinder to work optimally lens must match cam by SN, and these were typically done in factory or service and unified for best performance. If so, does it make sense to purchase a cam/lens set that is sans SN on cam or SN does not match, the latter potentially even worse than a naked cam?

2. While ground glass focusing can always be done on any of these, looking at Technika 70 especially, it seems a nuisance to buy unless rangefinder works fine and SN match (some sets on sale do come with 3 matched lens/cam sets)? Is this 100% correct or are there any users who can counter this with accurate rangefinder that was just plain off the shelf lens and cam (cam for given focal length of course)?

3. When buying body without any lenses, which means no cams, or cams with SNs needing FBI to find matching lenses for, what is the process coupling a lens to rangefinder? I suppose this was not done by user, but factory/service?

4. Are there any Technika lenses that were duds and/or ought to be avoided or not much value placed on them (maybe Angulon 65/8)?

4. Any other for/against comments are welcome as well.

When you say "reduction pieces," what do you mean? I b'lieve Linhof made 2x3/6x9 roll holders to fit their 4x5 cameras. In fact, I have one such, a 2x3/6x9 Super Rollex that fits a 4x5 Graflok back. Are these what you're thinking of?

If you're thinking 2x3, why don't you look into Horseman?

Dan Fromm said:

When you say "reduction pieces," what do you mean? I b'lieve Linhof made 2x3/6x9 roll holders to fit their 4x5 cameras. In fact, I have one such, a 2x3/6x9 Super Rollex that fits a 4x5 Graflok back. Are these what you're thinking of?

If you're thinking 2x3, why don't you look into Horseman?

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It takes a few pieces to go down from 4x5 to 6x9, on Technika it may just be a different back, but that's additional weight which is as all Linhof no feather to carry around.

On Kardan Bi-System there is two extra pieces (3 total with back) to put it together

I usually have my mind set whether 4x5 is worth to bring along and want to have 6x9 movement capable outfit. Not looking into any other brands on this though.

I should have also added that sheet film is part of this set up, not just roll film.

On a Tech V or later, the lens should be serial number matched to the cam, so that the rangefinder is accurate wide open at all distances in the range of the rangefinder. Cams are individually ground to specific lenses to account for slight differences in focal length due to variances in the refractive index of the glass (which I suspect are less for new lenses than they were in the past). On the Tech IV and earlier, the cam will also be serial number matched to the body, because the groundglass was not zeroed on the earlier models, as it is for the Tech V and Master Technika. Unmatched cams sometimes work, if you adjust the infinity stops, or if you don't ever shoot at maximum aperture, but why bother with a Technika for less than optimal performance?

Lens coupling can be done by the factory or authorized Linhof service. Usually you send the lens and the body, so they can calibrate the camera at the same time, and set the infinity stops and focusing scales accurately. They can also shim lenses to share infinity stops in pairs like 75mm/135mm or 90mm/150mm on the 4x5" camera, where the shorter lens is used with the rail in the retracted position (there are fixed stops on the rail).

To shoot rollfilm on a 4x5" Technika, you use a rollfilm back that replaces the groundglass when making the exposure or one that slips under the groundglass. These rollfilm holders do not fit the 2x3" camera, and the rollfilm backs for the 2x3" camera don't fit the 4x5" camera. There is a reduction back to use 2x3" or 6.5x9cm sheet film holders on the 4x5" Technika, but the common rollfilm backs don't require and can't use this adapter, unless you happen to have the 2x3" Rapid Rollex back that slips under the 2x3" camera's groundglass, which is something of a rarity.

If you're getting a camera with older lenses, look for Linhof selected lenses, which went through a quality control process in addition to the lens manufacturer's process. The 65mm and 90mm Angulons produced some rejects, but they are compact lenses that aren't always bad. I've owned a couple of 90mm/f:6.8 Angulons, and they made for a compact setup with the 150mm/f:4.5 Xenar on the 4x5" Technika, since they also share the same filter size. They don't have as much coverage as the Super Angulons. I had a Linhof selected 65mm/f:8 Super Angulon for a while with the original center filter, but sold it as I found I was using it less than the lenses I had on either side of that focal length.

As for the difference in weight with the 2x3" vs the 4x5" Technika, I find the difference in bulk more significant. The 2x3" camera takes smaller lensboards, mostly smaller lenses, smaller sheet film holders if you use them, and of course rollfilm is more compact than sheet film, so my 2x3" bag is about half the size of my 4x5" bag. In part that's because I go out of my way to keep the 2x3" kit compact by carrying less stuff, but if I intentionally assembled equivalent kits, the 2x3" kit would still be significantly smaller than the 4x5"

@David A. Goldfarb Great info, appreciated. I'm slowly leaning towards Technika 70, with some time before I make up my mind. I am beginning to like its viewfinder/rangefinder in one, which makes for much easier handheld shots. Time will tell where I land.

It looks like I may end up with either a matched 3 lens combo working as it should (for the price), or start with a one-lens package that's good to go with rangefinder coupling. Handheld shots are not going to be a norm with it anyways, so I doubt I need 3 lenses with matched cams. I think a Planar 100/2.8 is probably good starting point?

To ask one more thing is the bellows replacement. Is this usually a screwed frame to hold them in place or are they glued requiring quite a bit more work. Seems like older bellows develop cracked up outer layer (apparently still light tight) but it looks gross to me.

The cams for the 69 Technika cameras are Tri lobed and can be easily crammed for a set of three lenses by the service center. The lobes are for specific focal lengths and are matched to the specific lens and has that lens serial number stamped on the lobe for it. If it is for a IV it has to also be matched to the specific body and has that body serial number stamped on the cam.
The cams are easily changed if you need more then one Tri lobed cam for your camera.

I have the 135mm Planar, and I’m sure the 100/2.8 is also excellent. The rangefinder is also useful when the camera is on a tripod, particularly for portraits, so you can check focus when you’ve got a filmholder in the back ready to shoot.

I recently had my Tech V 23b bellows replaced, and it looks from the old bellows like the front is screwed in place and the back is glued. If you can test the bellows of the camera you’re looking at, check it in the dark with a flashlight inside to see if it leaks. I’ve posted a video here somewhere to show what that looks like.

@Bob S How about bellows arrangement/attachment to standards. Keep in mind I'm now looking at a Technika 70 and several look really good except bellows show these cracks (yet claimed to be light tight). I would do bellows myself, but are they glued in place?

David A. Goldfarb said:

I have the 135mm Planar, and I’m sure the 100/2.8 is also excellent. The rangefinder is also useful when the camera is on a tripod, particularly for portraits, so you can check focus when you’ve got a filmholder in the back ready to shoot.

I recently had my Tech V 23b bellows replaced, and it looks from the old bellows like the front is screwed in place and the back is glued. If you can test the bellows of the camera you’re looking at, check it in the dark with a flashlight inside to see if it leaks. I’ve posted a video here somewhere to show what that looks like.

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Thanks David this helps a lot.

The leaky bellows discussion with a link to a video is at:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/leaky-bellows-video.171773/#post-2235240

Witold said:

@Bob S How about bellows arrangement/attachment to standards. Keep in mind I'm now looking at a Technika 70 and several look really good except bellows show these cracks (yet claimed to be light tight). I would do bellows myself, but are they glued in place?

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We were the distributor in the USA. We were not the service center so I have no experience replacing the bellows and never watched them assembling the bellows to the body at the factory.
For the correct answer contact a service center.

Here's how my recently replaced TechV 23b bellows looks. You can see the screw holes on the front and the adhesive residue on the back.

David A. Goldfarb said:

Here's how my recently replaced TechV 23b bellows looks. You can see the screw holes on the front and the adhesive residue on the back.

View attachment 260056 View attachment 260057

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Thanks again. I've watched last night YT for Technika IV replacement, so I would assume V is at least the same and looks like it. I will definitely be able to get this done myself, so that is good news. Just asked CustomBellows in UK to see what new bellows is going to cost from them (I hope they have Technikas in their database so I won't need to send them dimensions). As I am more and more towards Technika 70, it is still generally the same construction bellows wise and I doubt Linhof mounted its bellows differently.

What you see on the rear end is residue from a sealing material that goes between bellows and back standard. Bellows themselves are still attached to standard with screws (they are outside of bellows edge, so no holes shown). Front takes some fitting to get bellows front frame inside first crease, it is then glued to it for secure fit, then screwed in (as first step in mounting bellows). So overall it is not a difficult task, but requires some care, good cleaning of old residue etc. This is good news. Getting right bellows so they provide original extension may be another. I would think CustomBellows does it per Linhof specs. The guy on YT appeared to have new ones from China/HongKong and had to cut off few front creases for the front frame to fit in, which disturbed me a bit. But that is for the time when I get whichever camera and deal with bellows and that is a sure thing given I'm looking at cameras built in the 60's.

@David A. Goldfarb

Well, so much for the wait. As I have started to like Technika 70, I wound up getting one today, main reason being that Planar 100/2.8 lens and apparent great cosmetic and mechanical condition. Time will tell, at least a week for delivery, but seller is one I had dealt with before, so have no reservations about what I was told. As it has several original drop-in filters, it seems like a package to get going with right away. Lens and cam are SN matched. Bellows will get changed (CustomBellows.com already quoted me) as it has Linhofitis in its outer rubberized layer, but are said to be light tight. This is for next year though.

Witold said:

main reason being that Planar 100/2.8 lens

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I also had it, when I owned a Linhof Technica 2x3''. Terrific lens, and also awsome to look at, with the only drawback of a limited coverage which doesn't allow full rise. I wish it was available for 4x5'' as well, I still mourn having to sell it.

Enjoy! It's a great camera and a great lens.