When was my master technika manufactured ?

[jesskramer]

Question for Bob from HP

My newly acquired master technika is serial number 571135, can you tell me when it was manufactured

If I was interested in having the rangefinder mechanics removed, is that a type of service Marflex can perform

How does one go about having cams made for my lens set

[Bob Salomon]

Within the past 10 years.

Why take the rangefinder off? You won't save much weight after you cover the hole with a plate and the value of the camera will be materially reduced. Additionally the rangefinder is why you would have lenses cammed. Without the rangefinder there is no use for the cam.

Marflex does do camming. You send the lenses to them. If you want the infinity stops and focus scale installed by them then you would also send the camera. The cost would be the same either way.

[jesskramer]

Bob,

Thanks for your reply.

I will not be removing the rangfinder, I was just curious.

I am using the following lens kit currently, 90,150,210,300

can cams, stops and scales be created for all these focal lengths? what is the cost per cam ?

I do not have a instruction manual for my Master Technika, I also need the rubber eyepiece for the rangefinder, can I also get these from Marflex?

Can you please give me their contact info

So far I really love the camera, definately the leica of large format

Thanks,

Jesse

[arthur berger]

Marflex removed the rangefinder from my master technica and I think it made it a more functional, more compact view camera. I got the idea from others who did the same.

[Bob Salomon]

973 808-9626

[martin_4668]

Removing the rangefinder only safes a few grams and 2 centimters (an inch) in size.
Why not save a few hundred dollars, buy the Master 2000 and get a free short focal lenght focusing
attachment.
We have a special offer on the 2000. look at www.photografica.com

[Jay Lnch]

Jesse, I have owned a tech V with the range finder and one that came without it. I like the one without much better. Sold the rangefinder version. Now I don't have to deal with the cam and folding it up in the camera.

This is great for my type of shooting. Now if I wanted a snap shot point and shoot 4x5 then a range finder would be needed.

jay...

[Bob Salomon]

"Now I don't have to deal with the cam and folding it up in the camera."

Nonsense, if you do not want to use the rangefinder you have no need of the cam. Just pull it out of its holder. That doesn't require a value destroying modification to the camera. Just leave the cam at home.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Before removing it, see if the rangefinder comes in handy. I use it for landscapes to check focus in low light, for studio portraits, and for handheld shots press-camera style. I probably would own a different kind of camera, if it were not for the rangefinder.

[Brian Ellis]

Removing the rangefinder doesn't necessarily reduce the value of the camera, one like that was sold on e bay a month or two ago and attracted plenty of interest. Just depends on what people want, not everyone wants the rangefinder and removing it does save bulk as well as weight.

With respect to Marflex cutting cams etc. I was quoted a price of $250 about six years ago, I imagine it's gone up since then. I thought it was a fair price for all that they do but even assuming the cost hasn't gone up it would still run $1000 for the four lenses you mention.

[roger michel]

a much cheaper alternative to having cams made is buying used cams. if you can find new master tech cams you are all set. but you won't. however, you can often get by with the older iv/v cams even though they were made to be specific to particular camera/lens combos. the key is to get a place like midwest, lens&repro, quality, etc. to send you several. test them out via the ground glass, and i'll bet you nickels to navy beans that you will find cams that get you well within DOF limits.

i obtained cams for my 65, 90, 150, and 240 this way. they all work fine for quick focus with slower lenses.

as for the utility of the RF, i have found it EXTREMELY handy on occasion. in the first place, i have used the camera handheld more than a few times. not so much to be like weegee, but because tripods were not allowed or i didn't have time to set one up. there have also been times when i didn't want to use a dark cloth for safety reasons, or occasions when the light was fading so quickly that i knew i would have time to set up the tripod AND gg focus. the rf is also good for portraits.

i think it is very silly to chop off the RF. it is a very handy accessory, and very compact considering its admittedly occasional utility.

just my $.02.

as for the dat of your master tech. the serial number is not far off from mine. i bought mine new from ep levine in 1996. but who knows how long they had it in stock.

amazingly cheap packaging for such a nice (and expensive) camera. i have bought gourmet fruit at the grocery store that had better packaging.

[Bob Salomon]

"65, 90, 150, and 240"

There is no 65mm cam. They go from 75mm to 360mm.

[Bob Salomon]

"a much cheaper alternative to having cams made is buying used cams"

Camming includes: The cam, cutting the cam, focus stops, installing the focus stops, the focus scale, installing the focusing scale.

I am glad that you saved money buying used cams but what did you do for focusing scales and infinity stops?