Linhof serial number

[Jon Lindesteg]

Could you help with this Linhof serial number 7149. Is this camera a Linhof Color or Kardan Color?

[Bob Salomon]

That would be the first series of the Linhof Color from about 1960. So you are aware there are no repair parts for any of these cameras left at the factory so make sure it is in perfect condition. The current Technika lens boards and ground glass and fresnel will fit it however.

[Ole Tjugen]

There isn't much that can go wrong with a Color, though. All screws and fittings are standard metric dimensions, and can be replaced with off-the-shelf parts - at least in Europe. The only "danger" is the specialised moldings in the front and back standards - it's a good thing that they are so over-engineered!

I like my Color very much indeed :)

[Bob Salomon]

"The only "danger" is the specialised moldings in the front and back standards"

Or simple things perhaps, like the rail clamp to mount the camera to the tripod, or the springs that hold the GG back in place, etc.

[Ole Tjugen]

Yes, Bob - but the rail clamp is way overengineered, and seems to be made for a camera 10 times the weight. The springs are (IIRC) steel, and far stronger than the cast aluminium parts.

I have no worries whatsoever about mine; it will probably outlive me.

[Bob Salomon]

:The springs are (IIRC) steel, and far stronger than the cast aluminium parts."

Then I'll be more specific.

The arms that attach the gg to the back have a spring inside them that makes a single loop to get it's pressure.

That loop is prone to breaking. Linhof has not made that particular spring in several decades. They switched to a spring with 2 loops for better pressure.

The new spring will not fit in the arms on your camera.

Should one spring break (not an unusual problem on a camer that old) it can not be replaced. The entire arm has to be replaced. However having one new arm and one old arm would not create equal pressure on the film holder so to do the repair both arms have to be replaced.

While this is not a really difficult repair it would cost most of the value of the camera to do it.

As for the rail clamp - people simply lose it or break it. There is no repair for that.

[Pieter]

I recently purchase a Linhof Technika, serial number 64067. I'm pretty sure it's a IV, although the seller represented it as a V.

[Bob Salomon]

I recently purchase a Linhof Technika, serial number 64067. I'm pretty sure it's a IV, although the seller represented it as a V.

It is a 1957 lV. If it was a V then there would be a crank for front rise rather then a knob.

[Embdude]

I have a III with no serial number... Later model with geometric shaped door, red stripes on front standard and international back... The accessory shoe has no numbers, I checked underneath it as well, maybe it was replaced...

Cam for 210mm on it says 58532

Dont know if cam is original to the body any other place to look for serial number?

[Bob Salomon]

I have a III with no serial number... Later model with geometric shaped door, red stripes on front standard and international back... The accessory shoe has no numbers, I checked underneath it as well, maybe it was replaced...

Cam for 210mm on it says 58532

Dont know if cam is original to the body any other place to look for serial number?

58532 is a 1958 lll.

[Embdude]

Thanks Bob! what years were the III's made? Was 1958 one of the later years as the camera seems to be...

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks Bob! what years were the III's made? Was 1958 one of the later years as the camera seems to be...

1946 to 1960