Technika prices in 1970?

[Oren Grad]

Does anyone have a price list or other literature documenting what the price of a new 4x5 Technika, with finder, grip and cammed normal lens, would have been in 1970? A 5x7 Technika similarly configured?

For those of you who follow The Online Photographer: yes, this question arises from a behind-the-scenes discussion we've been having as a follow-up to Ctein's post on camera prices.

Thanks...

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

I am quoting from memory. In 1969 I bought a Leica M4 with a f2 35mm Sumicron lens for DM 1100 at that time the VW Beetle Standard (the cheapest version) was DM 4800. Linhof stopped making the 5x7" version Technika in 1986. At that time it was obvious that the E6 slide films were such an improvement over the earlier slide films that you would get the same quality from a 4x5" as you had gotten from a 5x7" earlier. I 1988 the 5x7" Linhof which was still available was DM 8600, a bit more than the 5x7" Sinar P2, close to the price of a budget VW.

[bjdejong]

Hi Oren,

Sofar, I have not found the prices for 1970.

But what about a Super Technika IV - 4x5 for $500 in 1960?

See page 36: Olden Camera and Lens Company 1960 cameras and accessories (NY)

and thank Mr. Butkus from OrphanCameras.comfor putting this all on the web.

Cheers,

Barend Jan

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Nothing to help with the Technika price, but I'm thinking the then-new Sinar P would've also been in the running for Most Expensive Camera of 1970. Or the Superwide Hasselblad with the 38m Biogon, perhaps.

[Bill_1856]

WOW, Barend! What a find.
Wonder what ever happened to Olden? In those days when I visited NYC, the first thing I did after checking in at the hotel was to make a bee line for Oldens.

[David Lindquist]

I have a photography buyers' guide copyrighted 1970 by Ziff-Davis (publishers of Popular Photography); it's titled "Photographic Catalog 1971" and was handed out by Brooks Cameras, San Francisco.

Price given for the Linhof Super Technika V, 4 X 5, is $765.00; for the 5 X 7, $1160.00. This included the hand grip, but NOT a lens/lens board/cam or multifocus optical view finder. Prices for these additional items are not given.

Scanning this buying guide, it looks like the most expensive camera was the 8 X 10 Sinar P Expert at $1410.00. This included the carrying case, but not, of course, a lens.

The Hasselblad Superwide C was a "mere" $815.00.

David

[Ivan J. Eberle]

David, was the Superwide C price with or w/o the Biogon?

[Oren Grad]

Thanks, everyone! David, that's great. Given the general price level, I think it's safe to say that the finder and lens would have added at most a few hundred dollars more in each case.

Ivan, the Biogon on the SWC is a fixed - not interchangeable - lens, so it necessarily comes with the camera.

[David Lindquist]

David, was the Superwide C price with or w/o the Biogon?

As Oren notes, the 38mm f/4.5 Biogon was permanently mounted, so that price includes the lens. Also price includes the film back.
David

[Bob Salomon]

WOW, Barend! What a find.
Wonder what ever happened to Olden? In those days when I visited NYC, the first thing I did after checking in at the hotel was to make a bee line for Oldens.

It went up his nose.