Linhof Technika and WA

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Reseraching the Linhof Technikas, I ahve a question I could not find answered in the manufacturer's brochures or in the postings here. If one opts for either the Master Technika or the Linhof 2000, can one use a 72mm Schneider XL on either body? If the lens will operate on either body, on the Master Technika with the WA focusing device or on the Linhof 2000 with maybe a special board, how severely limited is the lens movement? More generally, for the landscape and sometime architectural photographer, how limited is either camera for use with WA lenses (72mm-135mm)?

Thanks,

Bob

-- Bob Moulton (bobmargaretm@insightbb.com), March 01, 2002

Answers

The 2000 takes wa lenses from 35mm to 65mm internaqlly with the only required accessory being a lensboard. The MT takes lenses from 55 to 65mm on the accessory Wide Angle Focusing device.

Both cameras take 72 up on the focusing tracks.

With the 72 - 90mm (except 90mm in 1 shutter) you need a recessed lensboard 001016.

You are always able to call us at 800 735 4373 or Marflex at 973 808-9010 when you have questions about Linhof.

-- Bob Salomon (bob@hpmarketingcorp.com), March 01, 2002.


The 2000 takes wa lenses from 35mm to 65mm internaqlly with the only required accessory being a lensboard. The MT takes lenses from 55 to 65mm on the accessory Wide Angle Focusing device.

Both cameras take 72 up on the focusing tracks.

With the 72 - 90mm (except 90mm in 1 shutter) you need a recessed lensboard 001016.

You are always able to call us at 800 735 4373 or Marflex at 973 808-9010 when you have questions about Linhof.

From the Linhof web site "RECOMMENDED BASIC LENS COMBINATION Lenses in Copal. Extreme wide-angle: 55-75, Wide-angle: 90 mm, Normal lenses: 150 mm, long lenses: 240, 250 mm, Tele lenses: 250, 300, 360 mm.>

This should also answer your question.

-- Bob Salomon (bob@hpmarketingcorp.com), March 01, 2002.


"More generally, for the landscape and sometime architectural photographer, how limited is either camera for use with WA lenses (72mm-135mm)?"

With the 72mm, VERY limited. It seems like a shame to buy a lens with such a large image circle and then mate it with a VERY expensive camera that SEVERELY limits the amount of movement achievable. The problem with press/technical cameras like the Linhof is that the body of the camera severely limits front rise/fall and shift movements with wide and ultra wide lenses.

Since you specifically asked about the 72mm SA XL and the Linhof MT2000, here's some data directly from the manufacturers' brochures:

For the Linhof Master Technika 2000 brochure (page 7 - recommended wide angle lenses):

Lens: Schneider Super Angulon XL 5,6/72 Lens Standard Adjustment: Lens Rise 14mm Lateral Shift 5mm right, 2mm left

From the Schneider Brochure - The complete spectrum of taking lenses:

5,6/72 Super-Angulon XL lens displacements in mm vertical/horizontal at f/22, with lens focused at infinity (4x5) 48/42

So, accoring to Schneider, the 72mm f5.6 Super Angulon XL has enough coverage to allow 48mm of rise and 42mm of shift on the 4x5 format (assuming a horizontal orientaion of the camera back, for vertical orientation, swap the two numbers). And, according to Linhof, with this lens, the camea is only capable of 14mm of front rise, 5mm of right shift and 2mm of left shift. I think it's pretty obvious that the lens has far more coverage than the camera is capable of exploiting.

The Linhof MT is a great camera in many respects, but it really does seem like a waste to invest in a lens with so much coverage and a then combine it with a camera (a VERY expensive camera) that doesn't come close to taking advantage of that coverage (especially since you plan to shoot architecture with this proposed combo).

The 72mm SS XL and the Linhof MT2000 are both great tools, but in this particular combination, one severely limits the usefulness of the other. In other words, based on your intended application, there are better combinations out there. If you have your heart set on a Linhof, the Technikardan TK45S with a bag bellows will truly allow you to use that 72mm SS XL to it's full potential (and it costs less than the MT2000 as well). In other brands, many of the various Ebony models are reputed to handle wide angles well, as do the Arca Swiss F Line models. In short, there are a LOT of other cameras out there that will not limit movements with the 72mm SS XL. So, why spend a fortune on one that does?

Kerry

-- Kerry Thalmann (largeformat@thalmann.com), March 02, 2002.


Arca-Swiss, for example!

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), March 02, 2002.

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