New Member...Back into LF with a Newly acquired Linhof Technika...any info appreciate

[CropDusterMan]

Hello everyone.
Just thought I'd introduce myself and say how much I've enjoyed the forum-decided to join.
Long time photographer, just got back into large format with a recently acquired Linhof...
Been a while since I had my hands on a 4x5 holder...shoot primarily 6x6 Hassie and 6x9 Fuji
these days.

Is this a Linhof Technika Kardan Color?? Any clue on the era? Not looking to sell...I am so excited
to have been given this gift to get me back into Large Format!

Maybe some of you can fill me in on it a bit...it came with 5 lenses...the camera is in incredible shape,
almost like time forgot. It has a 6x9 back + spare insert , came with a ton of holders in mint shape
and the following lenses:

250mm Rodenstock Imagon in a Copal No.3 Shutter
300mm Rodenstock Apo-Ronar
100mm Schneider Technika Xenotar
121mm Schneider Technica Super-Angulon
+ Schneider Technika Enlarger lens

Only thing it needs is a replacement leather for the focusing glass...not rotten, just torn away
from the viewing back area. The lenses look brand new...no fungus, haze or even dust.


130036

Kind regards,
Jason:cool:

[Robert Oliver]

Nice kit!

[CropDusterMan]

Hi Robert,

I'm near you...up in Valley Center.

J

[Robert Oliver]

Glad to see another large format shooter in the area... Let me know if you ever want to get out and shoot.

I need to work on capturing the area where I live better! Tons to shoot around here


Hi Robert,

I'm near you...up in Valley Center.

J

[djdister]

Yes, looks like a Linhof Kardan Color 4x5 (not a "Technika"). Could be as old as 1960, so would need to find a serial number or something to date it more accurately.

[Jac@stafford.net]

The serial number is a tab on the rear part by the right red knob, center facing front.
It is a Linhof Color, although I'm confused regarding 'Kardan'.

I like the camera because it is compact, sets up quickly.

Mine is # 4321

[Leonard Robertson]

Jason - From what I can see in your picture, you have a Linhof 4X5 Color, not a Kardan Color. As far as I know, the red focusing knobs were only used on the Color and the Kardan Color had white knobs. There may have been a late version of the 4X5 Color with white knobs. I can't remember for sure.

A couple of links for the 4X5 Color:

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/linhof_5.html

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Linhof_Color_4x5

The Wiki entry gives the build era for the Color as 1958 to 1964 which sounds about right. I could check that by digging through a bunch of back issues of "International Photo Technik", the magazine published by Linhof, but I'm not that energetic. I'll consider the Wiki dates close enough.

And the 4X5 Kardan Color:

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Linhof_Kardan_Color

The main functional difference between the two models is the Kardan Color has rear rise and the ratcheting front rise like the Technika V.

Years ago I had a 4X5 Color with the pretty red knobs. It was slightly awkward to use in the field and I got a good deal on a Technika IV, so I sold the Color which I continue to regret. I still remember the silky smooth feel of the focusing with those big knobs. I should have kept the Color and just used it, slightly awkward or not. So have fun with yours, and don't sell it!

Len

[CropDusterMan]

Hey Gents,

Thanks for the replies. Ok, my unit is Serial #4492 and the top says "Color, but the ground glass rotating swing out cover says
"Technika" with Linhofs beautiful Coat of Arms. It appears as though mine is missing the red plastic knob for the tripod
collar clamp...not likely I'll find that anywhere soon...

The ground glass is in pretty good shape...some of the alignment lines have a little fog around them, but focus is
easy and smooth. The camera also came with this cool Zeiss Ikon focus loup...very cool.

Are you all tray processing your films or using the likes of a Jobo 2500? I'm a PMK Pyro
user with 35mm and 2 1/14. Thanks to all who are helping out, I am enjoying the education!

Best,
J

[brucetaylor]

Welcome!

Nice Linhof. I have one just like it-- also a "time forgot" situation, looks like it was never used. Very compact monorail- I need to make a case for it to make it easier to transport in the field. I love my Tecknika IV, but I think the Color would actually be faster to set up if I could case it well. It's probably a lot lighter than the Technika, come to think about it.

[Jac@stafford.net]

[...] my unit is Serial #4492 [...] It appears as though mine is missing the red plastic knob for the tripod collar clamp...not likely I'll find that anywhere soon...

Our serial numbers are 171 apart, probably of the same batch. I might have a spare tripod collar knob; will look later today. It might be a standard 1/4" or 3/8" which you can find at Ace Hardware and certainly at McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-component-knobs/=w3xrku) regardless of thread.
.

[CropDusterMan]

Man,

That would be great!

Keep me posted, sure would be a nice addition.

Best,
Jason

[Bob Salomon]

Hey Gents,

Thanks for the replies. Ok, my unit is Serial #4492 and the top says "Color, but the ground glass rotating swing out cover says
"Technika" with Linhofs beautiful Coat of Arms. It appears as though mine is missing the red plastic knob for the tripod
collar clamp...not likely I'll find that anywhere soon...

The ground glass is in pretty good shape...some of the alignment lines have a little fog around them, but focus is
easy and smooth. The camera also came with this cool Zeiss Ikon focus loup...very cool.

Are you all tray processing your films or using the likes of a Jobo 2500? I'm a PMK Pyro
user with 35mm and 2 1/14. Thanks to all who are helping out, I am enjoying the education!

Best,
Jit is a 1959/60 Linhof Color 45

[Leonard Robertson]

Bob Salomon - Do you know if all the Color 45s had red focusing knobs, or did the later Colors have white knobs like the Kardan Color 45s? I don't know where I got the idea there may have been white knob Colors. I very well could be mistaken.

I noticed on eBay today there is an issue of "International Photo Technik", No. 4, 1964 with an article on the "Linhof Kardan Color 4X5". I suspect this is an article on the introduction of the Kardan Color.

Len

[Jac@stafford.net]

I noticed on eBay today there is an issue of "International Photo Technik", No. 4, 1964 with an article on the "Linhof Kardan Color 4X5". I suspect this is an article on the introduction of the Kardan Color.

That is a different camera, Len. In my opinion, you have (we have) the good one. If you can peruse the posts here regarding LF movements you will find that most of us do not use the extremes that, for example, the Kardan could. We are all good.

Oh, I looked and my spare red knobs are already on on a LF appliance. If it really matters, I will take it apart for parts. Parts! I have tons of parts. :) I gotta get a life.
.

[CropDusterMan]

Bob, thanks for running the numbers on it for me....and parts are always a good thing!

If you ever have the tripod collar red knob, I'd be a customer.

[Leonard Robertson]

That is a different camera, Len. In my opinion, you have (we have) the good one. If you can peruse the posts here regarding LF movements you will find that most of us do not use the extremes that, for example, the Kardan could. We are all good.
.

I meant to imply the 1964 "International Photo Technik" article on the Kardan Color meant the end of the original Color model. I should have actually said that instead of implying. I found an IPT, No.4 1958 (the magazine was published four times a year) with a 1 1/2 page article on the Color being introduced at the 1958 Photokina (that was a big European photo trade show). So I suppose the Color may have been getting into the hands of the buying public sometime in 1959.

Len

[Bob Salomon]

Bob Salomon - Do you know if all the Color 45s had red focusing knobs, or did the later Colors have white knobs like the Kardan Color 45s? I don't know where I got the idea there may have been white knob Colors. I very well could be mistaken.

I noticed on eBay today there is an issue of "International Photo Technik", No. 4, 1964 with an article on the "Linhof Kardan Color 4X5". I suspect this is an article on the introduction of the Kardan Color.

Len

There were two versions of this camera series. The first, the Linhof Color had no back rise. The second, the Linhof Kardan Color had back rise. I don't know. Which had red knobs.