Linhof TK 45: rear tilt axis position?

[Andrey Vorobyov]

Hello everybody!

A friend of mine has recently bought a TS 45 (early non-S model).
We were inspecting it and found that rotation axis of tilt (rear standard) is somewhat outside ground glass plane. The same for rotation axis of swing (also read standard).

Is it ok or the camera was repaired improperly?

I ask because I don't see any reasons to put the axes outside the GG plane in the L-style camera. On the contrary, if the axis were on the GG plane then the famous asymmetrical movements could be done easily...

Thanks
Andrey

[Bob Salomon]

The camera sounds like it is operating properly.

[Andrey Vorobyov]

Thanks for the quick reply, Bob.
Does the later model of TK ("S") has the tilt/swing axes also out of GG plane or there were changes in this respect?

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks for the quick reply, Bob.
Does the later model of TK ("S") has the tilt/swing axes also out of GG plane or there were changes in this respect?

No they are in the same approximate position but the front L on the S is the same width as the back L and both L standards on the S are made from two straight pieces of aluminum joined with a seperate mounting block. The older models had the L made from one piece of metal bent to a 90° angle which has to be at 90° in two directions. Also the joining block makes the standard much stronger then the single piece. But pivot points are about the same.

The other big difference between the S and non S versions are the click stopped 0 detents on the S.

[Andrey Vorobyov]

No they are in the same approximate position

A pity!
May be I don't realize some design restrictions but I think Linhof should have kept the axes on GG plane. In this case we had a lightweight and compact AMS featured monorail!

But thanks anyway, Bob

[JimL]

It was probably designed this way to keep the mechanism within the width of the L-arms and keep the camera compact. To put the pivot at the ground glass plane would have meant there would be quite a protrusion out the back.

[Andrey Vorobyov]

You're probably right, Jim.
As for me I'd gladly sell some compactness for the 2 points focusing ability

[Bob Salomon]

You're probably right, Jim.
As for me I'd gladly sell some compactness for the 2 points focusing ability

Most, if not all, cameras with 2-point focusing; Linhof Kardan GTL, Linhof M679, M679cc, M679cs, Techno, Sinar P, Sinar P2, etc are assymetrical axis movement cameras (except for the GTL which is both assymetrical and axis movements - use one or the other) not axis movement cameras. A movement that is directly on the optical axis will have less dispalcement (or none) compared to a camera whose pivot point is slightly off or off the axis.

The TK is yaw free when it is used on its side, however. Actually any yaw prone camera is yaw free when used this way but the TK is much easier to use on its side and is equipped with extra levels for ease of use when used on its side.