My Post no. 500 Is about Linhof Technika II & III

[Soeren]

Hi All
My post no. 500. No celebrations please
One of my photopushers have some Linhofs which I believe are 4X5''
A Technika II with a 90/6,8; 135/4,5 & 150/4,5
A Technika III with a 90 & 150
I know they are very different although not in details. In fact a website, I believe Camera Quest advise not to buy the Technika II as a user camera.
How about the Technika III ? They are somewhat expensive compared to what have been offered here on APUG and the ones seen on E-::: But I won't buy on E-:::, APUG is another story,
Comments please
Regards Søren

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If the lenses on the Tech III are cammed, you might consider it. The serial number on top of the cam should match the lens, and the serial number on the bottom should match the body. Of course you can use the lenses with the groundglass instead of the rangefinder, and you might use the groundglass more than the rangefinder, but if you're going to have a Technika, a rangefinder is an attraction. It's hard to say more than that without knowing more about the lenses.

As far as old Tech II's go--they are actually quite nice lightweight field cameras. They have the same rear movements as the later Technikas, and geared rise and shift. You can easily make lensboards for them yourself out of thin plywood, and if the camera has the finder, wireframe viewer, and focusing scales, you could use it handheld with scale focusing or an uncoupled rangefinder.

 

[medform-norm]

Hi Søren,

congratulations! How does it feel to have joined the ranks?

About the Technika III - do you know what version it is? They came in several ones, the type V being the most desirable according to some people. We had one like that last year, but sold it as we weren't happy with the controls and because we needed more movement.

What we thought was a real drawback of the Technika III, was that there are control knobs positioned on the bottom of the front standard. (On later these were moved to the top of the front standard). The bottom knobs are awkward when working with short focal lengths - the front standard is pushed back to its limit with e.g. a 90 angulon. If you want to reach those knobs to make a small and quick adjustment, it's hardly possible - the metal hinges on the side, holding the bed in position, are very much in the way. It's pretty fidgety/wriggely to reach and adjust the controls, esp. if you have big fingers. And a pain in the *ss when it's freezing cold outside: you need to take your gloves off in order to reach into that corner. (Of course, what is required in that situation, is to move the lensbed forward, adjust it, and move backwards again. But in that case, it's not a fully satisfactory wysiwyg.)

Another thing that bothered us then, is that our camera had three or four default positions when tilting the front standard - you hear it click or snap when it reaches position. Too limiting for our needs and extremely frustrating if you need a slightly different angle than what is offered.

However, it's very well-built, heavy like a tank, solid like a Rolls, can't argue with that. Part of the learning curve for us has been that freedom of movements is more important to us than weight or foldability. That's something you need to figure out for yourself - where do you want to make sacrifices?

Since you seem to be able to handle the camera before you buy, go see your pusher and ask to play around with it for a while in concentration and quiet. You'll find out soon enough if there is that certain kind of magic between you and the camera.

Good luck with your deliberations, I know it's hard!
Norm

 

[Soeren]

Thanks guys
The movements. Is the II limited in front movements co,pared to the III ?
Are the movements of the Technikas limited in general compared to other field cameras ?
Regards Søren

 

[medform-norm]

Thanks guys
The movements. Is the II limited in front movements co,pared to the III ?
Are the movements of the Technikas limited in general compared to other field cameras ?
Regards Søren

Soeren,
I don't know the answer to your question about the II, but have you read this article on Cameraquest?
Regards, Norm

 

[Soeren]

Yes, Thats the one warning against the Tech II as user cameras
Just read it again. The Tech III outperforms tje Grafics in terms of movements but how about Shen Hao and other field cameras.
Can The Tech II be considered a good user camera despite Camera quests judgement ?
Regards Søren

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I had a Tech II for a while, and I liked it. In some ways, it was better than later versions (geared shift and lighter weight, for instance), but these cameras really are antiques, so condition may be a bit unpredictable. I sold my Tech II when I had a chance to buy a Tech V outfit with 4 cammed lenses, filters, shades, and an aluminum compartment case.

The Shen-Hao has more movements than a Technika, but doesn't have the solid construction of a Technika.

 

[Soeren]

Thanks David
Whats the pitfalls on the Tech II & III
Regards Søren

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Neither has direct front forward tilt. To get forward tilt, you have to drop the bed, raise the lens, and tilt back to the amount of tilt you actually need, and the tilt axis will be way below the lens axis (Graphics work the same way). Alternately, you can tilt the back and re-level the camera (Graphics can't do that).

The rear movements on any Technika take some getting used to. The Tech II doesn't have the spring lock buttons that are on a notoriously heavy spring, which might be seen as an attraction of the Tech II, but on the other hand, those buttons make it possible to leave the knobs loose and just snap the back in place when you're not using rear movements. On all of the Technikas, there are four knobs, one for each corner. To use the rear movements, I recommend loosening only two knobs at a time, so that you are adjusting only tilt or swing, and not just moving the back around in a freeform way.

 

[Soeren]

Thank for your reply David.
How will the Tech II do as a kind of close-up camera ?
I recon my step into MF(4X5'') will be put into action for subjects like landscape details, close-ups and some kind of Michael Kenna inspired sea-scapes. I hope to use the movements to get better depth of field in those subjects, especially the landscape details and close-ups.
Regards Søren

 

[Struan Gray]

When I was looking to make the jump and buy my own LF outfit I too looked long and hard at the older Technikas. In the end, I decided against them because of the lack of direct forward lens tilt and because although long, there was a hard, non-extensible limit to bellows length.

Monorails are fetching stupidly low prices at present. If you want to try LF without commiting too much money the older Cambo and MPP 4x5 rail cameras are a fine way to get shooting with little investment. Top-range equipment from the 60s and 70s like the Sinar Normas and Arca Swiss A/B/C models are still a bargain compared to folding field cameras.

None of these cameras will let you shoot handheld with rangefinder focussing, but on the other hand none of them have any limitations on which lenses you can use and how. All can be carried in a student book rucksack, so don't be put off by the lack of portability: it's there, but not as big an issue as many think, certainly not for a starter, suck-it-and-see camera.

Where in Denmark are you? You're welcome to pop across the bridge and have a play with my Norma.

 

[Soeren]

Hi Struan
Thanks for your ansver and the offer.
I'm located on Sealand just an hour or so from the bridge so I might take your offer and come and play a little with your Norma. Is she pretty
Any good locations near Lund ?
Regards Søren

 

[Struan Gray]

Any good locations near Lund ?

Copenhagen

Seriously, we're a bit lacking in lofty mountains round here, and I've been wanting to play at being an architectural photographer around the new National Library and Opera House. Perhaps we should meet up in CPH?

Otherwise, if you have a favourite place to photograph, we can meet there and see how LF handles your usual subjects.

Time away from home is something I need to plan - PM me if you feel the urge and I'm sure we can bash something out.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The Tech II has a triple-extension bellows like the later Techs, so you can get quite close with it, even with a 210mm lens.