Lenses for Linhof Technikardan

[Ron Bose]

I'm contemplating trading my Sinar F2 and Wisner 4x5 for a Linhof Technikardan 45S. I want a field camera with precision movements for archtecture and scenics.

If I go this route, would I have to change all my lenses to TK lenses ? What functionality would I lose if I mounted regular lenses to this camera ?

Thanks !

[Rob Tucher]

I use my Technikardan for architecture all of the time and don't own, have never rented, and don't know anything about TK lenses. I just use off-the-shelf Schneider (mostly, also some Nikkor, some Rodenstock, some older Goerz) lenses mounted in TK boards. I have many lenses from 65mm to 16.5" and all work beautifully with the camera. For more involved situations I pull out my Sinar C, like shooting ultra long, etc. But for most straight-forward architecture jobs I find the TK to be a fabulous, effortless, accurate, light-weight, and well-engineered little camera with huge movements and abilities.

[Al Seyle]

I own a TK45s which I use primarily in the studio with non-Linhof lenses as well. No problem using Wista board as well. Just be advised this camera is much heavier than a field camera.

[Christopher Condit]

Isn't the Sinar F2 adequate for architecture? What about it is unsatisfactory, what about the TK do you expect to be better? Sounds like the two cameras you already have would be great for your two interests, arch and scenic.

[Bob Salomon]

The TK lenses were in a modified Prontor Professional shutter unique to Linhof. As Prontor Werke has stopped making shutters for large format lenses this shutter is no longer available.

Like all view cameras the TK uses standard shutters so any lens in Copal will fit and work properly.

We do have one 210mm in Prontor TK shutter left in stock should anyone decide that they would like to have one.

For those who don't know the Prontor Professional shutter was a self-cocking system. The TK shutter added a wheel to the side of the shutter on which you could dial the aperture desired from the front, back or side of the camera. The TK version also had a lever that set at 3 positions. The top most position opened the shutter for focusing at the wides aperture. The middle position closed the shutter to taking aperture for checking dof. The lowest position closed the shutter and set the aperture to taking aperture.

[Michael Heinrich]

I also changed from a Sinar f2 to a TK45S. A very good change, really. I am still using the sinar lenses on my TK and there are no problems at all. The TK is smaller, easier to carry and more exactly as the Sinar.

[Ron Bose]

Chris,

The Sinar F2 is a very nice camera when you don't have to carry it anywhere, but (to be honest) is a bit of a pain in the butt to use outdoors any reasonable distamce away from the car. So basically it isn't getting used.

My Wisner is a great camera, especially for scenics, but sometimes I miss the precision that only a monorail can provide when I'm pointing the thing at a building. So this is the camera that gets most use and I'm only half-happy using with buildings.

So my reasoning with the TK45S is to get the best of both worlds and get a packable monorail with precision movements.

I've found a dealer nearby who has one in stock so I'll go play with it. I need to gauge its weight and its 'ease' of folding. If I like it I'll see whether the financials add up.

I have a bunch of decent lenses which I don't want to sell, so I was double checking that I didn't need 'special' lens features to make the TK worthwhile.

Thanks for everyone who's responded. Anymore comments on the useability of this camera in the field for scenics or architecture are welcome ...

[Michael Kadillak]

Don't let the "ease of folding it" concept get you hung up on this camera. The bellows are so damn easy to take off that I do not even mess with them as the simple risk/reward analysis when the weather is turning for the worse and I need to get to the truck does not make sense to me as I might unintentionally mess up the bellows int he take down procedure. Not wirth the risk IMHO. As a result, I had camera bellows make me a straight tapered bellows out of their synthetic material that is fabulous. Takes me about 10 seconds to take it on and off of the camera. Fabulous solid camera that is a pleasure to shoot with. Cheers!

[Christopher Condit]

Ron, it sounds like you've thought this through thoroughly.

I looked very seriously at the TK, but in the end decided to go cheaper, super light, and super compact, ending up with a Gowland monorail. I don't really need the extra length that is one of the strengths of the TK. It's a great camera, I'm sure it will suit you just fine.

[Brian Ellis]

Have you read the two reviews of the TK (one by me, one by Paul Butzi) and numerous follow-up comments under the camera review section of this web site? That should give you a good idea of what people have liked and disliked about the camera.