Kardan in German describes following: A drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, propeller shaft (prop shaft), or Cardan shaft is a mechanical component for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement between them.
When the Linhof Kardan was invented, the word Kardan was standing for innovation, BMW at about the same time got rid of the chain drive for their motorcycles and was pushing the envelope with a Kardan drive.
Sorry for digging out this zombie.
I think it's not about the drive shaft but a pivoted support system, c.f. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbal
If I understand it correctly, "Kardan" means that there is a dual-axis gimbal to move the standard about two orthogonal pivot axes.
There are a lot of Kardan-style Cameras around, even before Linhof came, e.g. "The Brand 17" in the U.S. - Are there any others?
Later Linhof made the "Kardan Bi": it had two gimbal standards with additional base tilts.
I write this because I am looking for some informations about the "Linhof Kardan Color" - a "Technika V" on an optical bench.
Apparently even the Technika IV, V, ... are Kardan systems because their front standards works as - gimbals.
Whereas the Technika III had only base tilt backwards.
fotografie.ist ...
Bob Salomon will no doubt chime in, but still...
The Linhof Color became the Linhof Kardan Color when rear rise and lever-activated front rise mechanism were introduced. The Kardan Color also had a cutout in the rear frame to allow for easier rise movement. Otherwise I think both are identical. I have both models.
Kumar
The original prototype Kardan camera had a unique knuckle type joint that allowed it to do swings and tilts from the same joint. This was where the name Kardan came from. While in theory it worked and was yaw free and proved to be impractical to manufacture commercially. So when the Kardan went into production the cameras had separate tilt and swing points.
There have been numerous Kardan models since then. The original round rail Super Color, the B the later SC JBL, the E, the M, the GT, GTL, L, Standard and several others.
Once I had a white BMW E21 whose engine hood opened itself at 150 km/h, three times ... It had a "Kardanwelle". I wonder how I could tinker the Linhof kardan Color into the BMW ... I am waiting, still, for the camera. Perhaps I find another E21 to mount he camera with its axis parallel to the drive shaft. Kardan to Kardan ;-)
Of course you're right.
Colour of the newly aquired cmaera is the same, ivory white, like the E21, what means that the camera is one of the younger specimen. Apparently it even has back rise.
You all know how sceptical I am concerning Technikas - too much need for adjustment. The Kardan Color seems to be less complicated.
The essential question is how it fits onto a ballhead. I have a Manfrotto MHXPRO, a Gitzo GH3870, a Gitzo GH2780 - the Gitzos with the Hejnar Arca Swiss clamp modification that I find quite good. But will it be strong enough to take the inhof Kardan Color? It's a very towered setup.
Or should I get the dedicated "Linhof Kardan Panorama Neigekopf I Ø75mm pan tilt head 003613"?
Regards
fotografie.ist ...
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