Linhof Standard Press - weird film back - help!

[Cor]

Marc,

As I mentioned in another thread I swapped the back of my Color (a Tech IV on a monorail) with the back of my Tech III (version 4) without a problem, so you might want to look for a Tech IV back as well (I might consider selling my Tech IV back but perhaps trying in Australia is easier/less expensive)

Best,

Cor

O a PS: can you twist the back from vertical to horizontal and vice versa ? If so: twist it 45deg and if you see 4 serrated (?) metal/aluminium slides which you can slide out, that I assume you can swap backs.

[munz6869]

Thanks Cor, It does twist and is removable with the slide out tabs like the usual backs, so that sounds promising. As for finding one in Australia (cheaply), I reckon I have as much chance as finding Lasseter's reef... so if you ARE willing to part with your Tech IV back, we should chat!

Marc!

[Cor]

Oh Dear,

I spoke to hastily..;-)..on second thought it is perhaps not too smart to sell that Tech IV back. I'll stick to my Tech III for sentimental reasons, and since it's a fine piece of machinery. The Color is my workhorse right now, it's very ugly but very sturdy and solid, quick to set up, and can be handled with gloves on. Should I ever sell the Color in favour of a Master Technika (not likely seeing the prices, and there is not so much more you can do with a Master which cannot be done with a "lowly" Color of 50 years old) I'll need that Tech IV back on it to have a change to move it.

Maybe a WTB for a beater III ?

Good luck!

Best,

Cor

[munz6869]

:-) No worries Cor, I now have a lead on a nearby-ish Colour, with what looks like a Technika IV back - so I'll give that a go... Thanks for your advice - I may make this thing useful yet!

Thanks heaps, Marc!

[munz6869]

Several months later, I found a back from a Linhof IV, and attempted to put it on the Linhof Standard Press... and... it works fine. The end.



Marc!

[Embdude]

Call me curious, call me crazy, but I just procured an early 1950's Linhof 'Standard Press' - I believe it's a stripped down Technika III, with the only movement being front rise. I don't mind this - I have my Wista for serious work - I just wanted to play with a solid press 5x4" camera with a rangefinder... and it's solid!!

However - the back is really strange. It's not a spring back, and the height is about a centimetre more than a standard film holder (or double dark slide for those of us in the non-US world).

Here are some pictures:
Attachment 101794 Attachment 101795 Attachment 101796

So my questions to the LF world are:
What IS this back? Is it some pre-standardisation format? The camera came with two 5x4" holders that fit - but they look like pre-war glass plate holders...

Is it replaceable? Can one simply clip on a back from a Technika III (or later)?

Thanks heaps, Marc!

The 1952 Otto Croy Linhof guide lists a back very much like yours on page 19. It is known as the "4x5 graflex type back"... I have not ever seen one until I saw your post...

PS Otto is rocking a Standard Press on the cover of his book...

[Embdude]

cant make the image bigger or readable.... hmmm

[Embdude]

I will try breaking it up...

[munz6869]

This thread is a slow burn - revived 7 years later!! But that's very interesting and well-found!

Marc!

[Embdude]

Yes I really just wanted the information to get out that indeed it appears to be the first style graflex back that linhof made. I have traveled some weird linhof rabbit holes while I have been sheltering at home for the past few months...