Mystery technika

[Jarvman]

Hi, could anybody advise me what model technika this is? The seller doesn't know. I'm looking into a 5x4 field camera and thought I may as well go ahead and buy something decent instead of spending money on a speed graphic and wanting something better further down the line.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160185787822

 

[KenM]

Looks like a Tech V to me.

Also looks to be in pretty good shape.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Tech V, just like mine. Ask the seller if the serial number on the cam matches the serial number on the lens. If it does, it's more interesting than if it doesn't. If you need to explain where and what the rangefinder cam is, I think there are some good illustrations on the Technika pages at www.cameraquest.com.

 

[Jarvman]

Would you consider that a good price for one in this condition? How do you enjoy yours David? if I'm interested in shooting 4x5 and 6x9 should I just go for it?

 

[dslater]

The current price is very good for a Tech V - don't be surprised if it doubles in the lest few minutes of the auction

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think the Technika is the most versatile camera I own. I like being able to switch between rangefinder press camera mode and view camera mode, particularly for travel.

It's hard to say about the condition, but if the bellows is good, the front rise gear isn't stripped, the Graflok slides are working properly (these three things being the common problems), and the lens is cammed (serial number on top of the cam matches the lens and no serial number on the bottom of the cam, which would make it a Tech IV cam), it's probably worth on the order of $1400-1750.

On the other hand, while it can do a lot of things, other cameras can be more convenient for particular purposes. On most monorails, for instance, the back movements are easier to use, and cameras with symmetric movements can make more intuitive sense. If you are a climber and shoot from high elevations often, you might prefer a camera that doesn't have to be turned upside down to get front fall. If you're only going to use one cammed lens, a Crown Graphic is lighter for handheld use than a Technika. For $1500, for instance, you might be able to get a Sinar F and a Super Graphic and have money left over for a lens or two, and you might ask whether a combination like that serves your needs better than a Technika.

 

[dslater]

I think the Technika is the most versatile camera I own. I like being able to switch between rangefinder press camera mode and view camera mode, particularly for travel.

It's hard to say about the condition, but if the bellows is good, the front rise gear isn't stripped, the Graflok slides are working properly (these three things being the common problems), and the lens is cammed (serial number on top of the cam matches the lens and no serial number on the bottom of the cam, which would make it a Tech IV cam), it's probably worth on the order of $1400-1750.

On the other hand, while it can do a lot of things, other cameras can be more convenient for particular purposes. On most monorails, for instance, the back movements are easier to use, and cameras with symmetric movements can make more intuitive sense. If you are a climber and shoot from high elevations often, you might prefer a camera that doesn't have to be turned upside down to get front fall. If you're only going to use one cammed lens, a Crown Graphic is lighter for handheld use than a Technika. For $1500, for instance, you might be able to get a Sinar F and a Super Graphic and have money left over for a lens or two, and you might ask whether a combination like that serves your needs better than a Technika.

Hi David,
I've watched a lot of these go on e-bay recently and I've never seen one go for less that $2000. This particular one looks very clean and appears to be in mint condition. I expect it will go for $2500 or more unless the seller has made some kind of mistake that makes it hard to find with the e-bay search engine.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I haven't been watching them recently, so it's possible that they're bringing in higher prices, particularly with the weak dollar. They used to be somewhat more common and less expensive on ebay.de, and that probably kept the US prices in check. I got mine around 5-6 years ago with four cammed lenses including the Zeiss 135/3.5 Planar, old-style telescoping finder, several 70mm filters, shade/filter holder, ergo grip, aluminum case and a few other odds and ends for around $3400.

 

[hka]

I think it's an early (before 1987) Tech V because the laters have a lift-up flap on body housing to allow more lens rise.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The 4x5" Technikas with the flap and the rangefinder are called the "Master Technika Classic." The Tech V doesn't have the flap.

 

[dslater]

I haven't been watching them recently, so it's possible that they're bringing in higher prices, particularly with the weak dollar. They used to be somewhat more common and less expensive on ebay.de, and that probably kept the US prices in check. I got mine around 5-6 years ago with four cammed lenses including the Zeiss 135/3.5 Planar, old-style telescoping finder, several 70mm filters, shade/filter holder, ergo grip, aluminum case and a few other odds and ends for around $3400.

Hmm - well we'll see - as I'm sure your aware, a good prediction + $1.99 will get you a cup of coffee. I'm a bit surprised that no one has placed a bid on this yet - I think the seller has really shot himself in the foot by not listing which Technika it is - If his title called it a Technika V he would probably already have a bunch of bids on it.
Jarvman, if you're seriously interested in getting this camera, you should download a copy of Bid-o-Matic ( just google it ) and use it to place a bid at the last minute for the maximum amount you're willing to pay - even with no bids yet, I'd bet money that there are a bunch of people watching this item with their own copy of Bid-o-matic and you will see a bunch of bids showing up in the last minute.

Dan

 

[Jarvman]

This is the thing. I don't really want to pay crazy money for it and I always get blown out of the water by other bidders at the last minute. There's bound to be people with their eye on this. For what I enjoy shooting This isn't the ideal camera for me. I'd probably be better off with a mamiya 7 or fuji 6x9 for handheld street stuff, but it'd be great to have 2. I'll probbaly go for a crown graphic if this goes too high, that way I'll be able to afford the rangefinder I want and still be able to shoot 4x5 without spending rediculous money on a camera.

 

[dslater]

This is the thing. I don't really want to pay crazy money for it and I always get blown out of the water by other bidders at the last minute. There's bound to be people with their eye on this. For what I enjoy shooting This isn't the ideal camera for me. I'd probably be better off with a mamiya 7 or fuji 6x9 for handheld street stuff, but it'd be great to have 2. I'll probbaly go for a crown graphic if this goes too high, that way I'll be able to afford the rangefinder I want and still be able to shoot 4x5 without spending rediculous money on a camera.

I hear you - these are hellishly expensive cameras - OTOH, you would never have to replace this camera - it will most likely outlast you and your children - they're that well built. If you look at it as a lifetime investment, it doesn't seem so expensive any more.

 

[Jarvman]

Yeah, this is true. Like I said in the first place it's a bit of false economy to buy something only to want something better not far down the line. It's a tough decision.

 

[cowanw]

I don't really want to pay crazy money for it and I always get blown out of the water by other bidders at the last minute
Just keep bidding what you want to pay whenever one comes up. Eventually the other bidders computer will go down at the last minute and you will score. Good luck tonight!
Regards
Bill

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

They get cheaper as they get older, so if you can't afford a V, look for a IV or a III. If you look at a III, try to find a kit with a few cammed lenses, since you can't get them cammed by Linhof anymore, though there are some independent repair technicians who can make cams for the III like Richard Ritter.

 

[Jarvman]

Grr, never won it. Bid-o-matic never placed my highest bid of £850, perhaps because it was too close to the other guys of £847. The internet here in college is so slow I never even managed to place a bid. :-( Did someone get a bargain here? I'm set on one of these and a mamiya 7 with a wide and standard for each now. I should've bid more perhaps. I'm gonna keep my eye out for another.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Earlier this year (March) I saw a pristine V kit with 4 lenses plus many other bits and pieces, all in it's original factory supplied case.

The seller had purchased it new, he was sorry to see it go but as his eyesight was not really good anymore, that was it.

He was asking $5,000 AUD firm, no negotiations whatsoever. I was on the market at the time, but it was just too much for me.

If I had the money at the time I would have bought it, it was so good.

Mick.

 

[kevcurry67]

Hi Jarvman.
Sorry someone had to miss out on the Technika. Indeed it was a bargain I must say. The camera is in as new condition I kid you not! It would appear to have been kept in a drawer for 38 years! Its year of manufacture was 1969! Theres practically no evidence its ever been in use even the bellows are in great nik!
After discovering Davids post Ive just checked the serial numbers of the cam and lens and what do you know they match! I never envisaged using the tech that way but then who knows! The linhof lens its self looks like new and its 30 years old! Think id better stop right there or id expect to start receiving hate mail!
I wish you the best of luck Jarvman in your search for a Technika it truly is a masterpiece!

regards
kev

 

[Jarvman]

gah damn! Why I aughta! haha, glad you like it Kev. It was a close one. My max on bid-o-matic was £850 but the difference between your bid and the next was out of its limit. Did you only find it cause of this thread? I'll be sure not to post any potential buys on here any more! One will crop up eventaully. I've just got a Mamiya 7 to busy myself with now anyways. Enjoy it.

 

[kevcurry67]

Thanks Jarvman.
No I'm only a rare visitor here.
I was on the hunt for one and was checking ebay every few days or so. But I did the same as you over on the LF forum with a Master a couple of weeks ago ie free advertising. It never reached its reserve....1500 bangers! When I saw the Tech V I did all my detective work covertly with the US Linhof distributer who hangs out over on the LF forum, very helpful chap! Geez I never even told the wife! My lips were so tight Ive since had job offers from MI5! You've just got to see one of these lovely things to appreciate it. I cant imagine ever willingly parting with it.

This might be worth checking from time to time.
http://used.linhofstudio.com/used/cameras/cameras.html

A little patience and one will be sure to turn up!
kev

 

[Jarvman]

BUMP

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=120196744064&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

I'm more than likely to buy this camera off somebody on eBay. He seems willing to sell it to me after weeks of harassment and two auctions with no bids. What do you make of it? Pretty good buy? He swapped it for meduim format gear with somebody in his town only to swap back again and find out they'd attempted to recolour the leather! So the leather might be a bit crappy but I was thinking of getting it recovered. probably at an extortionate cost but is it worth it?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

That's not a bad deal at all. It's a later Tech V with one cammed lens and two uncammed lenses, ergo grip, 4x5" and 9x12 filmholders, finder, and a 6x7 Super-Rollex in a Halliburton case. If it needs to be recovered try cameraleather.com. They make a Technika kit.

 

[Jarvman]

So if I went and bought the leather how do I go about recovering the camera myself? There's bound to be instructions but I'm just wondering how easy/diffcult it'd be

 

[kevcurry67]

It looks like a very good deal. Make certain that the bellows are sound and ask if the toothed plastic track used for front rise isn't stripped of its teeth. Even at that bellows can be replaced and the toothed track can be replaced. The Linhof view finder and 3 lenses - one of those cammed - mounted in Linhof boards are worth a fair few quid. Figure at minimum 150 pounds each at least. Search out the price of 2nd hand view finders you'll get a surprise. Have you checked out the price of a Beatie Screen not to mention the price of 10 5x4 film holders and a roll film holder. Even second hand camera handles can fetch 150 sometimes. I personally would cross the bridge of changing the leather when I had the camera in my hands. Stripping off the leather would I imagine be a PITA but it could also be a very rewarding little project. It wouldn't stop me from owning a Tech V.
Ive only had my Tech V a very short time but I cant imagine being without it!
Its a marvel.


Best of luck
kev