Embdude
15-Jun-2021, 22:56
Linhof Technika III Evolutionary style
216772
216767
PDF poster: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1chTc9oiLC13EltCQa-s7xtR4EMYDfg6H/view?usp=sharing
3 distinct versions of the Technika III exist:
Early, Mid, & Late.
Within these 3 categories individual models can be separated out possessing slight cosmetic and minor functional changes. These models variations are described in the poster above.
Serial Numbers
The Technika III has 2 serial number lines. Cameras with Rangefinder have one line and cameras without the other. This has often resulted in some confusion as they are not sequential if combined.
The Technika III serial number lines.
One with rangefinder (2000 - 62,000) 1946-1957
One without rangefinder (5000 - 16,000) 1946-1960
The Technika III’s with RF:
Early - The 20xx series was very short lived and replaced with the 2100 series in 47’ followed by the 5 digit series- 22,000 series, & 23,000 series in late 48’ - which was the Technika IIIE
Mid - The 1950 Super-Technika begins with 30,001 and ends in Dec 1954 with 37,104.
Late - The Dual focus with geometric bed model from Sep 1955 starts with 50,001. It ends with 62,236 in Aug 1957.
The Technika III cameras without a Rangefinder:
Early - Start with the 5006 in 1946 and continues until 1950.
Mid - It becomes the 60xx series in 1950 lasting until June 1954. The 6k series stands out as unique to other Technika III cameras with a thinner body and wrap around leather.
Late - Late 1955 nonRF models begin with 15,000 and end with the final Technika III 16,064 in Oct 1960
My research on the Technika III was accomplished with help from a great number of wonderful Linhof fans, thank you. Especially knowledgable were the ever helpful Bob Salomon, Richard Shimonkevitz, and Barbara Wolff. I also used the following publications; Modern Photography Dec 1965, Photo Dealer Magazine 1971, Stephen Gandy’s CameraQuest website, Robert Monaghan’s LF website, QT Long’s Large Format Photography Forum, many Linhof company publications & The Linhof Camera Story book. Thanks also to Jan van Galenn, the friendly greeter and moderator at Linhof Camera Fans Facebook group.
The Technika III quickly replaced the short lived Technika II in late 1946, and would be the camera that would cement Linhof’s place atop the professional camera world for the next 70 years.
The Linhof Technika III was a major design and style change from the earlier Linhof’s. The exterior is no longer completely wrapped in black leather but instead a it is a satin chrome with black leather panels. Except for the interior, bed, and Art Deco pinstripe lensboard, the black paint is gone and the chrome and polished aluminum of the earliest Linhof cameras is back in a very impressive display of Streamline Moderne design. It has its origins in Art Deco, but goes beyond it by smoothing out Deco’s features.
The major technical feat of the Technika III is the addition of a rangefinder with quick change cams capable of accepting the entire line of lenses available. The first version rangefinder housing is a simple square block but by 1950 the III has undergone a streamlined redesign and the camera appears smooth and far less boxy. The rangefinder housing is now geometrically shaped and streamlined as is the clip at the top of the lensboard. Controls along the front standard and bedrail that were once black anodized buttons are now thin aluminum levers. The leather handle on the side of the camera is removed and a thick strap held on with a long chrome plate lies nearly flush along the side, attached with 2 screws with low-profile oversized screw-heads. The black lensboard with white trim of the early III is replaced with a new polished aluminum board with the Linhof script logo across the top in red.
The crowning jewel of the 1950 refresh is the new shutter and lens design. The rim set compur shutter is literally given a facelift. While still the same inside, the exterior of the shutter is now a modern gleaming chrome cone, emblazoned LINHOF in bold red block letters.
To fill the new Linhof shutters Schneider, Voigtländer, and Zeiss are commissioned by Linhof to make special lenses to complete the camera. Some of the most iconic LF lenses ever made resulted. Each lens is made in matching chrome to the shutter and engraved with the Linhof logo script in red. Linhof was widely reported to have set particularly high quality control standards for acceptance of the lenses that bore their logo. This has led to a higher value being placed on the Linhof branded lenses over the same lens without the brand in a normal stock shutter.
The Technika III is also the first Linhof camera to have a choice of color! Following the design update of 1953 a “burgundy red” or “forest green” version was available, coloring the leather, bellows, and interior paint, completely eliminating the black. Additionally since 1937 the white Linhof Technika Medizin has been available in a washable cream lacquer finish version exclusively for medical use.
By the middle of the decade Linhof was hard at work designing the all new model Technika IV in an effort to release it on the company’s 75 anniversary in 1957. The last design of the Technika III foreshadowed the model IV’s arrival and it embraced an ultra modern style. No longer a basic box it sported a geometrically shaped satin chrome cam-shell design with Atomic Age sweep and tapered accents.
Few camera models have seen so much change and yet remained the same camera. Built upon Linhof’s foundation of innovation and unyielding precision the Technika III is a bridge connecting the first 60 years of the company's esteemed past with its next 60 years. Linhof had a bright future ahead of it, in no small part because of the success of the Technika III.
If you are still reading, thank you. The 4x5 Technika III was my first Linhof camera and is still my favorite.
Everything is as complete and accurate as I can make it at this time. Quite possibly I will need to update some as I learn new things about the Technika III.
- Christopher Cox
216772
216767
PDF poster: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1chTc9oiLC13EltCQa-s7xtR4EMYDfg6H/view?usp=sharing
3 distinct versions of the Technika III exist:
Early, Mid, & Late.
Within these 3 categories individual models can be separated out possessing slight cosmetic and minor functional changes. These models variations are described in the poster above.
Serial Numbers
The Technika III has 2 serial number lines. Cameras with Rangefinder have one line and cameras without the other. This has often resulted in some confusion as they are not sequential if combined.
The Technika III serial number lines.
One with rangefinder (2000 - 62,000) 1946-1957
One without rangefinder (5000 - 16,000) 1946-1960
The Technika III’s with RF:
Early - The 20xx series was very short lived and replaced with the 2100 series in 47’ followed by the 5 digit series- 22,000 series, & 23,000 series in late 48’ - which was the Technika IIIE
Mid - The 1950 Super-Technika begins with 30,001 and ends in Dec 1954 with 37,104.
Late - The Dual focus with geometric bed model from Sep 1955 starts with 50,001. It ends with 62,236 in Aug 1957.
The Technika III cameras without a Rangefinder:
Early - Start with the 5006 in 1946 and continues until 1950.
Mid - It becomes the 60xx series in 1950 lasting until June 1954. The 6k series stands out as unique to other Technika III cameras with a thinner body and wrap around leather.
Late - Late 1955 nonRF models begin with 15,000 and end with the final Technika III 16,064 in Oct 1960
My research on the Technika III was accomplished with help from a great number of wonderful Linhof fans, thank you. Especially knowledgable were the ever helpful Bob Salomon, Richard Shimonkevitz, and Barbara Wolff. I also used the following publications; Modern Photography Dec 1965, Photo Dealer Magazine 1971, Stephen Gandy’s CameraQuest website, Robert Monaghan’s LF website, QT Long’s Large Format Photography Forum, many Linhof company publications & The Linhof Camera Story book. Thanks also to Jan van Galenn, the friendly greeter and moderator at Linhof Camera Fans Facebook group.
The Technika III quickly replaced the short lived Technika II in late 1946, and would be the camera that would cement Linhof’s place atop the professional camera world for the next 70 years.
The Linhof Technika III was a major design and style change from the earlier Linhof’s. The exterior is no longer completely wrapped in black leather but instead a it is a satin chrome with black leather panels. Except for the interior, bed, and Art Deco pinstripe lensboard, the black paint is gone and the chrome and polished aluminum of the earliest Linhof cameras is back in a very impressive display of Streamline Moderne design. It has its origins in Art Deco, but goes beyond it by smoothing out Deco’s features.
The major technical feat of the Technika III is the addition of a rangefinder with quick change cams capable of accepting the entire line of lenses available. The first version rangefinder housing is a simple square block but by 1950 the III has undergone a streamlined redesign and the camera appears smooth and far less boxy. The rangefinder housing is now geometrically shaped and streamlined as is the clip at the top of the lensboard. Controls along the front standard and bedrail that were once black anodized buttons are now thin aluminum levers. The leather handle on the side of the camera is removed and a thick strap held on with a long chrome plate lies nearly flush along the side, attached with 2 screws with low-profile oversized screw-heads. The black lensboard with white trim of the early III is replaced with a new polished aluminum board with the Linhof script logo across the top in red.
The crowning jewel of the 1950 refresh is the new shutter and lens design. The rim set compur shutter is literally given a facelift. While still the same inside, the exterior of the shutter is now a modern gleaming chrome cone, emblazoned LINHOF in bold red block letters.
To fill the new Linhof shutters Schneider, Voigtländer, and Zeiss are commissioned by Linhof to make special lenses to complete the camera. Some of the most iconic LF lenses ever made resulted. Each lens is made in matching chrome to the shutter and engraved with the Linhof logo script in red. Linhof was widely reported to have set particularly high quality control standards for acceptance of the lenses that bore their logo. This has led to a higher value being placed on the Linhof branded lenses over the same lens without the brand in a normal stock shutter.
The Technika III is also the first Linhof camera to have a choice of color! Following the design update of 1953 a “burgundy red” or “forest green” version was available, coloring the leather, bellows, and interior paint, completely eliminating the black. Additionally since 1937 the white Linhof Technika Medizin has been available in a washable cream lacquer finish version exclusively for medical use.
By the middle of the decade Linhof was hard at work designing the all new model Technika IV in an effort to release it on the company’s 75 anniversary in 1957. The last design of the Technika III foreshadowed the model IV’s arrival and it embraced an ultra modern style. No longer a basic box it sported a geometrically shaped satin chrome cam-shell design with Atomic Age sweep and tapered accents.
Few camera models have seen so much change and yet remained the same camera. Built upon Linhof’s foundation of innovation and unyielding precision the Technika III is a bridge connecting the first 60 years of the company's esteemed past with its next 60 years. Linhof had a bright future ahead of it, in no small part because of the success of the Technika III.
If you are still reading, thank you. The 4x5 Technika III was my first Linhof camera and is still my favorite.
Everything is as complete and accurate as I can make it at this time. Quite possibly I will need to update some as I learn new things about the Technika III.
- Christopher Cox