Point of attention when buying a Linhof

[Revers3]

Hello fellow photographers,

Recently I have become more and more interested in medium/large format photography. Right now I'm at the point of deciding to buy or at least start to look at other cameras. Right now i'm solely expirimenting with a pretty fool-proof Olympus OM-2. Fun camera but it's time for something more serious. That's where Linhof popped up. I have the possibility to take a look at a Linhof Super Technika IV 6x9. Second camera I found was a Technika 70. Both seem very interesting cameras.

I was hoping to gain some information about buying a Linhof.

- What to look for?
- What to pay attention to?
- Any Linhof-specific details that might be important to decide if I should buy or not?

The community and support isn't easy to find so i hope some of the experts here can help me out. Later in the process I will post results of my eventual purchase! Hope i can base it on the information here.

Regards,

Stefan

 

[Mike_E]

Why not go ahead and get a 4X5 with a 6X6/7,9 back. There are several to choose from and you will be able to go to 4X5 as well.

It might be a little more pricy at the start but LF cameras don't seem to be losing ground with their value so if you later decide that you want out then you won't have lost much if any money.

Also, the difference in size is negligible really, once you get to a certain point a few extra inches don't matter. Going up to 8X10 and larger however..

 

[Ysarex]

Make sure the serial numbers on the lenses and focus cams match up.
Make sure the rangefinder is properly aligned and easy to see. Check the rangefinder against the ground glass.
Make sure the lens/lenses are clear and scratch free.
Make sure the lens shutters are all working and the gear escapements run smooth at the slower shutter speeds.
Make sure the bellows is without cracks or holes and that includes fully extended.

Joe

 

[Derrel]

Technikas are nifty machines. I've handled a few, and they are a camera that makes you just love old-style German engineering! I'd enjoy having one. As far as substituting a 4x5 with a reducing back for a Linhof Technika...ummm....no. The view camera will not allow the same kind of shooting...it has no rangefinder and no cammed lenses and virtually ZERO capability for hand-held shooting or quick, on-the-go type working. I've never seen a Linhof 70 in-person, but it does look like an interesting machine.

Manual for the Technika on-line here. Large format cameras: the Linhof Technika IV manual

 

[Revers3]

Thanks for the replies so far. I've been away for a couple of days & got into contact with a specialist aswell. I will post some results here aswell to give you guys an idea if interested of course. So far this information has really been helpful!

Edit: Mike_E, I could see the point in that. However here in the Netherlands, the offer in Linhof Camera's is not that big. This one is one of the few & looks in really good shape. The price is 800 euros. Here's a link to the camera: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/audio-t...285449651fa109c354bbabe740c1b&previousPage=lr (obviously in Dutch, but with serial numbers included)

 

[Mike_E]

If you have one located and can afford it, go for it!

I have an old Graflex that is a rangefinder and cammed for the 127mm lens that came with it and it does pretty well but I certainly see the desire for the Tech.

 

[Rick58]

I had a Linhof Press 23 with a CZ lens. Beautifully made machine. Heavy as a tank, but the machining was unreal