My Linhof . . . need some advice here

I'm back into film and this is my large format camera. Problem is my eyes now . . . especially with the 90mm Schneider shown, I'm having trouble picking up the image. I'm wondering if there is a reflex hood (or what you'd recommend) available for this model. I'd appreciate any advice.

Additional info that might be helpful - I had a stroke 4 years ago and lost my right (master) eye . . . and I'm an eyeglass wearer. Groundglass viewing is increasingly difficult, but I sure don't want to change cameras!




Thanks
Gord

The back is the same as the Tech IV/V/Master Tech back, so it should take the same reflex finder. You might just try using a darkcloth rather than the folding hood, well sealed from light leaks, and let your eyes get used to the dark to view the image. A fresnel will help, if you don't already have one, with the wide lens. You can also look into getting faster lenses to give you a brighter image wide open, though that can be a big expense.

Thank you for your reply. I have located a Tech back, and the seller said that he guarantees it will fit or I can return it, so I think that's the route I will go. I actually don't have a fresnel lens . . . . I may pick one up in the future but I have a lot of other photo projects on the go. My standard lens is a 4.5 150mm Technica, and it's fine. If I go longer, I'll certainly get the fastest one I can.

Thanks again.

I've never used the reflex finder, but I think it doesn't work well without a fresnel. You might want to keep an eye out for one. On the Tech IV and later backs, the fresnel goes on top of the groundglass and is usually held in place with two clips, in case you might want to remove it, though sometimes you find it installed without the clips simply under the flanges that hold down the groundglass.

Your 150/4.5 is probably a Schneider Xenar, which was a common Linhof lens at the time (I have one for my Tech V). If it's in a "Technika" engraved shutter with "Linhof" engraved on the barrel, then it's a Linhof select version, which means it was tested by Linhof and passed inspection.

Yes, it is a Technika engraved shutter with "Linhof" on the barrel. Thanks for pointing that out.

Before I do anything, though, I think I'm going to remount my Schneider 90mm in a recessed lensboard . . . and try your suggestion of a dark cloth. I think that would be the easiest and most practical solution.

If you notice the picture above, I had to re-mount the camera IN FRONT of the rear clamp because if it was normally mounted, I couldn't focus the lens to infinity.

As I say, I'm just getting back into film. I bought this camera in 2006 when I was going to get back into photography after many years layoff. That's why I joined this forum at that time. But I then had a stroke and lost my right eye and didn't follow through on my plans until now. That's why I'm back here - as a matter of fact I didn't even remember I was a member until, when accessing some information, a login popped up with my name on it!!

David A. Goldfarb said:

The back is the same as the Tech IV/V/Master Tech back, so it should take the same reflex finder. You might just try using a darkcloth rather than the folding hood, well sealed from light leaks, and let your eyes get used to the dark to view the image. A fresnel will help, if you don't already have one, with the wide lens. You can also look into getting faster lenses to give you a brighter image wide open, though that can be a big expense.

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I got a hood for my Technikardan but, it set me back>$500btw I had a stroke too,3 years ago but thank God, it didn' effect my eyesightbut left me paralized on the left, which made analog photography close to impossible. I bit the bullet and went digital.I hate to admit itbut,that's fun too and so much new and exciting to learn;better thanno photography at all,right?:confused:

I am 74 with early age related macro degeneration. My vision is deteriorating.

About ten years ago I was using a Linhof Technikardan TK45. I was interested in an 8x10. A pro near here had an 8x10 Linhof he was considering selling. He was interested in old sports cars. I had one and suggested we shoot together allowing me to compare cameras.

We brought my white car into his well lit studio. He had a hanging 10x20 foot softbox over head. Our first shot was a head on view. I was using a 90mm f4.5 Rodenstock. After I took my shot he set up. He asked, “What about the white sand bag?” There was a football size sandbag next to the driver’s side front wheel that I had not seen through the standard ground glass. At his suggestion I went over and looked at his ground glass. It was like a well lit TV screen. I could see everything so much better.

He decided not to sell the 8x10 studio camera. I tried an enhanced ground glass that gave me 1- 1.5 stops improvement. I ended up buying an 8x10 field camera and later adding a 7x17 field camera. The view in each is soooo much lighter. Focusing is no longer a problem. The 8x10 camera was the same weight as the Linhof TK 45. The lenses of course are larger.

Yes, it was a big expense, but I can still photograph. If the expense is possible for you, perhaps there is someone on forum or on the LF Forum near you with an 8x10 who would let you try a shoot together so you could compare.

John Powers

Mr. Lambrecht, absolutely! I still do all of my color in digital - much better than not doing any photography at all!!

Mr. Powers, I hear you with your eyes - in my "bad" eye, the one I lost, I have what they call "navigable vision", ie I could go from point A to point B with a cane. I see no color, no detail, am the equivalent of 5 stops darker than my "good" eye, and have no depth perception except under (oddly) flourecsent lighting - I "see" better in that bandwidth. My "good" eye clouds up a bit on occasion, and I'll have to have some cornea work done in a few years, I'd think . . . but otherwise it's okay. I'm 63, so I kind of expect those things.

I'm going to try to make the Linhof work for me - I have two nice lenses and a 6x7 back. But I've always been intrigued by 8x10 and the prospect of doing contact prints, so your suggestion has great merit. I check out 8x10s once in a while on Ebay . . . . but they are costly.



Thank you both for your replies.
Gord

moltogordo said:

Mr. Lambrecht, absolutely! I still do all of my color in digital - much better than not doing any photography at all!!

Mr. Powers, I hear you with your eyes - in my "bad" eye, the one I lost, I have what they call "navigable vision", ie I could go from point A to point B with a cane. I see no color,.... think . . . but otherwise it's okay. I'm 63, so I kind of expect those things.

Gord

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Hey, look at the good side. i have been color blind for 74 years. You saw it for 60 some more than I have.

Some times humor is the only way through.

Good luck.

John

moltogordo said:

If you notice the picture above, I had to re-mount the camera IN FRONT of the rear clamp because if it was normally mounted, I couldn't focus the lens to infinity.

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That's a standard technique for wide lenses with pretty much any monorail that has a beefy clamp in the middle or knobs that may interfere with each other. I do that fairly often with my Sinar P, and occasionally with my 8x10" Gowland as well.

I use the same 90mm f8 lens you do, but on a Horseman HD. Find a Fresnel or an aftermarket bright screen. The first time I looked at the back of a camera with a Fresnel installed was a revelation compared to plain ground glass. I also think a dark cloth is better than a folding hood, but much less convenient. Also, take a look at the Toyo or Horseman ground glass loupe type viewers if you insist on sticking with a folding good. Good luck!