Will I be happy with Linhoff Technica III movements?

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I am considering the purchase of a used Linhof 23 (baby technica) III or IV. I am concerned that it may not have enough movement. Aprarently it has no front swings and shifts and can only tilt up. I read all the existing message traffic I can find but didn't really find the answer to the following: Has anyone out there used this camera for landscape and city scape photography and wished they had more movement? I am also considering the Technikardan 23 but I want to do some serious moiuntain hiking with the camera and I love the fold up pkg of the technica

Also a question for Bob the Linhof man - can you summarize the differences between the Technika series of cameras over the years - i.e. the major differences between III, IV, 70, V, and 2000. I am only interested in the 23s but others might appreciate similar info on the 45s. Also which models came without range finders - I don't think I wnat a rangefinder.

Thanks - AL James

-- Al James (groupj@home.com), December 24, 1999

Answers

Have you considered an MPP? It is an excellent LF field camera, based on prewar Linhof designs, but I find it a great 'wee' camera. It has ample movements; approx 15deg movement at rear, 7/8" shift approx 30mm rise, drop bed, though some have double drop bed, front tilt enough to make the lens board vertical after drop bed, front swing (not sure of full extent of some move ments as I have not used them yet). Also it has a total of 17" bellows extention. If you are interested in using an MPP instead of Linhof (I think the Mk III Linhof is near in price to a Mk6 to a Mk8 MPP dependant on where you get them and their condition)

-- David Kirk (David_J_Kirk@hotmail.com), December 24, 1999.

Al: Agree with the assessment of the MPP. I have one and do 90%of my large format work with it. The MPP is a British version of the Linhof 111. I believe the 2x3 Linhof has slide and swing movements also. The lens board assembly also tilts to the back. When turned on its side, the swing movements become vertical tilt, so that is no problem. I really don't think you will run out of movements on either camera. Doug

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alanet.com), December 24, 1999.

Going from a Linhof to MPP or other clone is like going from Sophia Loren to Twiggy...

it just ain't the real deal.

Check the articles on the page & most likely Bob will chime in as well. But once you use Linhof gear most of the rest of the field is left by itself. There is a good reason so many others do Linhof copies & knock-offs, but still no one does it like the original.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), December 24, 1999.


Dan: I kind of like Twiggy. Actually, my older MPP is an excellent camera, very precisly made and locks down tight. I am considering finding a Linhof IV for the front forward tilt. The woman to whom I've been married for 35 years says it's kind of stupid to even think about one of the $5,000 new Linhof Vs. I couldn't agree with her more. I absolutely can't see $5,000 worth of metal, plastic and labor in a Linhof. I'm glad Linhof, Sinar and some the others don't make automobiles. They would cost millions of dollars. I stick by my statement that MPP is a darn good camera, if a bit dated. Good Shooting, Doug

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alanet.com), December 25, 1999.

"The woman to whom I've been married for 35 years says it's kind of stupid to even think about one of the $5,000 new Linhof Vs."

Some problems with your response.

1: A new 4x5 Technika V would be virtually impossible to find. They have not been made for 23 years!

2: A new Master technika is no where near $5000.00 so your wife can relax.

A black body Master Technika 45 retails for well under $5000.00 new.

-- Bob Salomon (bobsalomon@mindspring.com), December 25, 1999.



Thanks for the lead on the MPP - Sounds like it has more movement of the front lens standard that the Technica III or IV. Hopefully Bob Salamon will respond to my reqest for the differences between the various Linhof models. I am definately looking in the used market but have found no used MPPs. I that the real name or would they be listed under another name? I'm sure I would be happy with the new master technica 23 movements but must restrict my search to under $2000 for body and lens. Any leads on where I might find an MPP? I haven't given up on Linhof - I think it is an outstanding camera. I had a chance to touch and feel one and was impressed. No one yet has said the lack of front shift and swing is a problem but I am hoping for more discussion - thanks for the input and Bob, if you are listening, I would love to hear from you. Thanks - to all - lets keep the discussion going - Al

-- Al James (groupj@home.com), December 25, 1999.

" Bob, if you are listening, I would love to hear from you."

Call me at 800 735 4373 during the week.

If you are asking about the 69 cameras there is no 2000.

It is much easier to answer these questions on the phone.

-- Bob Salomon (bobsalomon@mindspring.com), December 25, 1999.


Bob: The hard drive in my brain crashed and I wrote "Technica V". You are right of course. The Linhofs are still terribly expensive and always have been. They aren't the only ones, though. I am aware that large format camera are a limited production item, but they are still overpriced. Sounds like you know what you are talking about with the Linhof cameras. I'll stick to the used ones or my ol' reliable MPP. Happy holidays and a great and prosperous New Year. Doug

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alanet.com), December 25, 1999.

There are some detailed specs about the different Linhof Technika mdels at Tuan's large format home page. I don't have a URL handy but do a search for "Tuan" and it will pop up quickly. If you have trouble finding it, send me an e mail and I'll dig it out or perhaps someone else could supply it here. These specs are probably geared more towards the 4x5 models but some of the information should be equally applicable to 2x3. For example, the Tech III 4x5 camera had no forward tilt but the IV and later models tilt forward as well. I would assume the same is true for the 2x3 models.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis@tampabay.rr.com), December 27, 1999.

Well, that was certainly one of my more brilliant answers. Since you're posting to Tuan's large format home page, you obviously already have the URL for it. Sorry, I read the large format rec.photo newsgroup a lot and I forgot where I was.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis@tampabay.rr.com), December 27, 1999.


If you are seriously interested in buying an MPP, then try variour camera shops' websites, I do not know any of the US ones, but try the UK ones (they should be able to deliver but it will be longer, and more expensive): www.mrcad.co.uk, www.mxv.co.uk, www.mps-photographic.co.uk, www.teamworkphoto.co.uk, alternativleyif you have relatives over here in the UK, get it delivered to them, and either visit them, or get them to visit you.

-- David Kirk (David_J_Kirk@hotmail.com), December 27, 1999.

Al, Why settle for a 2x3 camera? Have you seen a nice opportunity? Otherwise, I would suggest you go for a 4x5. The price is about the same and you will do 2x3 with your rollfilm back + 6x12 + 4x5 ! There is not much price nor weight difference between a 2x3 and a 4x5 set.

-- Paul Schilliger (pschilliger@vtx.ch), December 27, 1999.

Al; I agree with Paul; Why settle for 2x3 when a 4x5 is more readily available and can take 2x3 if you really want it. I have a Tech III in 4x5 I got for $500 with two lens bd's. If you are doing general landscape and arch. work it should have all the movements you need. Although it the front standard doesn't tilt down for landscape you can tilt the whole camera and compensate with the back movements or like was mentioned before tilt it on it's side and use the front swing. For arch. work the front does tilt back adn should have enough movement for almost any situation. I've never used an MMP or seen one so I can't comment, but I do LOVE my Tech III: its stout, simple and versatile.

-- Ronald J LAMarsh (ronald.lamarsh@med.ge.com), January 02, 2000.

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