Technikarden 45S and Master Technika 2000

[Steve Baggett]

Currently debating investment in a Linhof Technikarden 45S or Master Technika 20 00. Subject matter will be landscapes. Will be packing extended distances on foo t. Lens preference leans to wide and ultra wide but will ultimately employ a ful l range of lenses. Would like feedback from Landscape Photographers "who are act ually using, or have used both of these cameras"... your likes/dislikes... comm ents on the features and benefits of each. Also...I know that Mr. Salomon is the HP product expert; but, who is the person equally enthusiastic about Linhof on the retail side. My sincere thanks for taking time to respond.

[Bob Salomon]

Perhaps you should contact John Sexton.

he owns the 2000 and the Technikardan. Although he may have the older TK.

[Bruce M. Herman]

Steve, If you've read some of the other threads on this site, then you'll know what I'm about to say, but here it is anyway.

I've only used the TK45, and an older model at that. But I like it very much, particularly the range of lenses that can be used with minimal fussing. I work with 90-600 mm (tele at the long end, but 360 mm + extension). I use a bag bellows for the 90.

But in some threads, you'll read complpaints from users who find the camera difficult to work with. It's all very personal.

I strongly recommend that you rent both cameras with a lens and try them, yourself. You may find that one fits your stle more than the other.

Good luck, Bruce

[Daniel Taylor]

Steve,

not only is it subjective, but you must consider the source as well. there are postings from Technikardan users who sold their beautiful camera because they could not fold/unfold it without great difficulty and trauma. and so, I thought I would clock the operation. not only could I leave the lens on, but folded the camera in seven seconds, fitting perfectly in my OutPack main compartment. seven seconds, and for that difficult task, I have German perfection, markings on all movements, detents, back-locks, and the smoothest of movements imaginable. am I happy Linhof owner? you had better believe it!

[Dave_958]

The Master Technika 2000 costs about $2300 more than the TK45S. Some prominent l andscape photographers prefer the Master Technika: Jack Dykinga, John Fielder, a nd JohnSexton. Some of Master technika's features are not likely to be used for landscape photography: rangerfinder focusing, cammed lenses, folding focusing ho od, and wrist loop. Absent the hand grip and rangefinder focusing unit, the fold ed-up Master Technika 2000 is smaller and weighs slightly less. The Master techn ika 2000 can be carried easily in a Xone VI 4 x 5 field camera bag, but the TK4 5S fits too tightly. The Master Technika 2000 better protects the bellows from a brasion when being carried in a backpack. I have not had difficulty folding and unfolding the bellows of the TK45S, but I can understand why the bellows is more prone to crimping by a careless user. The Master Technika 2000 requires focusin g adapters for 58/65 mm lenses, while the TK45 does not. The maximum rear lens d iameter is limited to 83 mm for the Master Technika 2000. The lens boards are id entical. The comparatively small dimensions of the lens boards allow several len ses to be stored with ease in a backpack. The center axis lens tilts of the TK45 S greatly eases focusing, especially with wide angle lenses. I have used only a Rodenstock 75 MM and 115 wide angle lenses with the TK45S. The TK45S requires a bag bellows for these lenses. Adjustments are needed to keep the flat bed of the MT 2000 from obstructing the image when using extra wide angle lenses. The TK45 S has a longer bellows, and can handle a 450-480 lens. The Master Technika 2000 is limited to a 360 telephoto lens. It is unknown to me whether Linhof sells a c ompendium lens hood for the Master Technika 2000. I routinely use a Linhof compe ndium lens hood with the TK45S to minimize flare and loss of contrast.

[Bob Salomon]

"The maximum rear lens diameter is limited to 83 mm for the Master Technika 2000."

The TK, MT and 2000 all have the same size hole.

"It is unknown to me whether Linhof sells a compendium lens hood for the Master Technika 2000. I routinely use a Linhof compendium lens hood with the TK45S to minimize flare and loss of contrast."

The Master Technika and the 2000 use the same compendium as the TK. The mounting adapter is the only difference between a compendium for the Technikas and the TK

[Dave_958]

Steve: The higher priced MT 2000 comes with an APO f5.6/150 mm cammed lens. Sin ar's book on large format landscape photography favors the 150 mm as the first l ens to buy. Steve Simmon's book on large format cameras reveals the author's pre ference for the 210 mm as the first lens to be purchased, followed by the 120 mm and 300 mm.

[Dave_958]

Steve: I goofed. It was not Sinar who recommended the 150 mm as the first lens t o buy for a 4 x 5 camera. I do not recall where I read that recommendation.

[Bob Salomon]

"Steve: The higher priced MT 2000 comes with an APO f5.6/150 mm cammed lens." No Technika is supplied with a lens. This is an option of the buyer and the dealer/ There is no reason to buy a cammed lens for the 2000 as it can't use the cam since it has no rangefinder.

"Sinar's book on large format landscape photography favors the 150 mm as the first lens to buy. Steve Simmon's book on large format cameras reveals the author's preference for the 210 mm as the first lens to be purchased, followed by the 120 mm and 300 mm."

The 150 is a true normal for a 45.

The three most popular lenses for 45 are the 90mm, 150mm and 210mm.

A 120mm is not nearly as popular with the vast majority of buyers as these 3 lenses.

[Charles Anderson]

The Master 2000 can be used with 45 mm lens without any additional accessory. Th e Master III, IV and V take lenses to 75 mm and require accesories for lenses of 58 and 65 mm.