Shooting Wide On A Master Tech

[Bob Salomon]

To be accurate, today there are two versions of the Master Technika; the Master Technika Classic - which requires a Wide Angle Focus Device for lenses from 55 to 65mm as well as the newer Master Technika 2000.

The 2000 has a built-in wide angle focusing system which accepts lenses from 35 to 65mm without the need for any additional accessory. All that is required is the proper lensboard - most of which have a cone rather then a recess.

Other then the wide angle focusing ability all other features are the same except the 2000 does not have a rangefinder mechanism.

So if extreme wide (wider then 75mm) is desired the 2000 would be the desired camera for many users.

Other then the wide angle focusing all other specs are identical, movements, extension, etc.

[Anthony Roach]

Jean-Louis / Bob and David - many thanks for your input - after my last post i was thinking the same thing as Jean-Louis but instead of the paint i was thinking a set of clips which attach to the rail to fix the point to which i can bring the standard out - shaped so it can be fitted under the rail also and then screwed into place from the top - the length of which is determined doing an infinity measurement for the lens in bright light - i have done that measurement for some of my other lenses. I need something like that because it is next to impossible getting a good measure of infinity in low light and i because the light changes so fast its imperative not to spend too much time setting things up. Just what i need a couple of extra grams of weight for my Linhof :-)

David and Bob - i take on board your comments re the positioning of inifinity and maybe its something to with which to experiment.

Thanks again Anthony

[giancatarina]

for infinity focus in dark situation, you can use a cheap laser (key holder), it makes a clear red spot that can help you for focusing !

[Jean-Louis Llech]

Bob Salomon,
"Using the tabs that pull the standard out of the body to focus may result (and probably will result) in less then optimal alignment between the lens and the film. Placing the Focusing Device in the body until it stops and doing the focusing with the knob will result in the best alignment and, therefore, the optimal sharpness distribution across the film."
If you carefully read what I wrote :
"6 - To focus for infinity : with the wide angle focusing device bellows completely retracted, grasp the lens standard by the pull-out grips, and move the lens standard back and forth on the inside housing track, in order to focus on the groundglass,
7 - Then, and only then, turn the focusing button of the wide angle device to fine focus the lens on the groundglass."

I NEVER said that focusing was done by means of the standard tabs.
Just read the Master Technika manual # 025642/9910/1,5 DEFS, page 17 :
"Focus for infinity by moving the lens standard on the body track back and forth. Care should be taken that the wide angle focusing device is completely retracted. Focus for near distances by turning the focusing button"

[Anthony Roach]

Just for information (i am sure many of you may know this already) - i have had an email disc with one of the guys from robertwhite in the uk about the helical mounted lenses

helical is mounted in a recessed panel - fitted into the standard and pushed all the way in and the helical mount is set at a distance appropriate for focussing at infinity without having to move the standard - ahhh but $$$$$