Linhof Serial Numbers

[robbyD]

No record of that serial number for any size Linhof. Do the letters DRP appear on the back?

Yes, DRP & West Germany. Although the back is Black with slightly different tan covering...it doesn't quite match the rest of the camera.

[Bob Salomon]

Yes, DRP & West Germany. Although the back is Black with slightly different tan covering...it doesn't quite match the rest of the camera.

It is a camera made before 1946 and we have no serial number records prior to 1946.

[Valdecus]

I may be mistaken by the tiny image, but doesn't the back say "DBP" (which would be "Deutsches Bundespatent"). In that case, at least the back is from after the war. West Germany only exists since after the war, too... ;-)

Cheers,
Andreas

[Bob Salomon]

I may be mistaken by the tiny image, but doesn't the back say "DBP" (which would be "Deutsches Bundespatent"). In that case, at least the back is from after the war. West Germany only exists since after the war, too... ;-)

Cheers,
Andreas

I didn't look at the pictures, just his answers. You are, of course, correct. It is a later camera but that serial number is not listed. I would suggest he read it with a loupe to be sure he posted the correct number.

[robbyD]

I didn't look at the pictures, just his answers. You are, of course, correct. It is a later camera but that serial number is not listed. I would suggest he read it with a loupe to be sure he posted the correct number.

Bob,
My mistake, as Andreas points out the Back says DBP.
The Tech has Tan coloured covering.
Matching coloured finish to the bed & track.
3 red line detail on the front standard.
It seems to have all the features of a very early 60's Tech IV 5x7 camera.
But the number stamped on the accessory shoe is 26492.

[Bob Salomon]

Bob,
My mistake, as Andreas points out the Back says DBP.
The Tech has Tan coloured covering.
Matching coloured finish to the bed & track.
3 red line detail on the front standard.
It seems to have all the features of a very early 60's Tech IV 5x7 camera.
But the number stamped on the accessory shoe is 26492.

Sorry, I can't find that number. What number, if any, is stamped on the bottom of the cam?

[robbyD]

Sorry, I can't find that number. What number, if any, is stamped on the bottom of the cam?

Bob,
I can't find any other numbers or markings anywhere.
What I'm trying to confirm is whether the Tech is an early IV or a late III.
Were there any obvious differences with the 5x7 models?
thanks
Rob

[BTMarcais]

Robby- fwiw your camera looks just like my Tech IV 5x7. (although just because I haven't seen a tan III doesn't mean they don't exist!). The red stripes on the front standard seem to go along w/ the IV's, and it's got the newer style focus scale (well, the rail for the focus scale/ scale holder anyway).
Possibly a replacement shoe?

-Brian

[Bob Salomon]

Bob,
I can't find any other numbers or markings anywhere.
What I'm trying to confirm is whether the Tech is an early IV or a late III.
Were there any obvious differences with the 5x7 models?
thanks
Rob

Of course, that is why the III was replaced.

The biggest difference between a III and a IV was that it's front standard only tilted back, not forward. The later cameras added forward lens tilt (not drop bed. The front standard).
Unfortunately the Linhof Camera Story Book details the 57 III and V but nothing about a 57 IV.

[robbyD]

Of course, that is why the III was replaced.

The biggest difference between a III and a IV was that it's front standard only tilted back, not forward. The later cameras added forward lens tilt (not drop bed. The front standard).
Unfortunately the Linhof Camera Story Book details the 57 III and V but nothing about a 57 IV.

Bob,
There's no forward tilt, so it must be a late Tech III. Question answered. Thanks.
For some reason I thought forward tilt came in with the V, not the IV.
I also have an early 5x7 III. No.21601. Offset folding optical finder & DRP DRGM on the back.
Would that be war-time?
regards
Rob