Linhof Master Technika Lens Options?

[LFLarry]

I just found a good quality Linhof Mater Technika and it is ordered so I am trying to do three things before its arrival in a few weeks:

1 - Confirm the widest and longest focal lengths that will work on this camera and if a recessed board is required, etc?

2 - Identify some small and lightweight lenses that I can use for hiking/backpacking. I have a standard lens, so looking for options for some small wide-angle and a long lens options. The key here is small and lightweight but still a good optical performer. I plan to be shooting Velvia and Provia.

3 - When I am not hiking/backpacking with this kit, I was thinking about getting the Nikkor 360/500 set. Based on the flange focal distance requirements, technically both lenses should be able to be used with this camera, but wanted to confirm with the group here that the 500 will in fact work?

Thanks

Larry

[Len Middleton]

Larry,
There was a recent discussion on that lenses can be left on a Technika and still close the camera up.
You might find that discussion useful as well.
For the 75 and 90 Super-Angulons I have for my Technika V 4x5, I have mounted them on recessed boards.
Obviously a 360mm telephoto design lens will work as I can focus my dialyte design 355mm Repro-Claron mounted on a flat board down to about 10 feet (about 3m), with the standard 16" (42cm) bellows draw (no rear extension used). I do not know what the flange to focal plane distance for the 500mm tele will be.
Hope that is helpful,
Len

[LFLarry]

Thanks Len. The Nikkor 360mm has a flange focal distance of 261mm and the 500mm has a 349mm, so in theory the 500 should work, but I wanted to confirm with someone that has first hand experience?

I will go check out that other thread.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Larry,
There was a recent discussion on that lenses can be left on a Technika and still close the camera up.
You might find that discussion useful as well.
For the 75 and 90 Super-Angulons I have for my Technika V 4x5, I have mounted them on recessed boards.
Obviously a 360mm telephoto design lens will work as I can focus my dialyte design 355mm Repro-Claron mounted on a flat board down to about 10 feet (about 3m), with the standard 16" (42cm) bellows draw (no rear extension used). I do not know what the flange to focal plane distance for the 500mm tele will be.
Hope that is helpful,
Len

[Bob Salomon]

The widest lens that mounts on the outside rails is the 72mm. The widest lens that can be used on the rails inside the body is the 45mm. In order to focus a 58 through 45mm you would need the discontinued Linhof Wide Angle Focus Device and flat Technika 23 0 boards. Or you would need the current helical focus mount for each lens but those lenses would have to be factory mounted to the proper helical mount.
Lenses from 72mm to 150mm need the 001015 recessed board. Although the 135 can be used on a flat board. The 150mm needs the recessed board if you want to leave it on the camera folded. Otherwise it to can be on a flat board.
There are no “lightweight” short lenses that fully cover 45 and give movements. The 90 Angulon that many use does not fully cover 45. The Gerogon WA 90mm May work for you but it would not deliver what a 4.5, 5.6, 6.8 or 8.0 Super Angulon, Grandagon N, Fujinon or Nikkor would.
Do be aware, modern WA lenses have fall off from center to edge. This fall off is a problem with transparency film and when using movements. To correct it you need a center filter. Schneider, Rodenstock and Heliopan made the Nikon and Fuji didn’t, even though their lenses have the same falloff. Extreme wides used special center filters.

[LFLarry]

Very helpful Bob, thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

It sounds like I have my work cut out for me on the wide angle espeically.

Now I have a much better idea of what I am dealing with, so this is really helpful.

The widest lens that mounts on the outside rails is the 72mm. The widest lens that can be used on the rails inside the body is the 45mm. In order to focus a 58 through 45mm you would need the discontinued Linhof Wide Angle Focus Device and flat Technika 23 0 boards. Or you would need the current helical focus mount for each lens but those lenses would have to be factory mounted to the proper helical mount.
Lenses from 72mm to 150mm need the 001015 recessed board. Although the 135 can be used on a flat board. The 150mm needs the recessed board if you want to leave it on the camera folded. Otherwise it to can be on a flat board.

There are no “lightweight” short lenses that fully cover 45 and give movements. The 90 Angulon that many use does not fully cover 45. The Gerogon WA 90mm May work for you but it would not deliver what a 4.5, 5.6, 6.8 or 8.0 Super Angulon, Grandagon N, Fujinon or Nikkor would.
Do be aware, modern WA lenses have fall off from center to edge. This fall off is a problem with transparency film and when using movements. To correct it you need a center filter. Schneider, Rodenstock and Heliopan made the Nikon and Fuji didn’t, even though their lenses have the same falloff. Extreme wides used special center filters.

[Pieter]

I just found a good quality Linhof Mater Technika and it is ordered so I am trying to do three things before its arrival in a few weeks:

1 - Confirm the widest and longest focal lengths that will work on this camera and if a recessed board is required, etc?

2 - Identify some small and lightweight lenses that I can use for hiking/backpacking. I have a standard lens, so looking for options for some small wide-angle and a long lens options. The key here is small and lightweight but still a good optical performer. I plan to be shooting Velvia and Provia.

3 - When I am not hiking/backpacking with this kit, I was thinking about getting the Nikkor 360/500 set. Based on the flange focal distance requirements, technically both lenses should be able to be used with this camera, but wanted to confirm with the group here that the 500 will in fact work?

Thanks

Larry

I hope you have a strong back. A Technika weighs 6 lbs without a lens.

[LFLarry]

Yea, no worries. Got it covered.

I hope you have a strong back. A Technika weighs 6 lbs without a lens.

[Len Middleton]

I hope you have a strong back. A Technika weighs 6 lbs without a lens.

I believe the designers graduated from the design school of "If in Doubt, Make It Stout"

Nice precision and versatile camera (and expensive when new), and there are compromises in every design...

[LFLarry]

I agree Len. The 6 lbs is not even a remote concern. Modern DSLRs with their heavy glass weigh nearly the same or even more than this setup. Even if that wasn't true, it doesn't matter because this is my tool of choice and I will make it work whatever it takes. If that means working out more, hiking more for better conditioning, even better then.

I believe the designers graduated from the design school of "If in Doubt, Make It Stout"

Nice precision and versatile camera (and expensive when new), and there are compromises in every design...

[darr]

I am a 5'3" petite female that chooses to shoot with a Linhof MT 3000. I have owned Arca Swiss, Ebony, Wisner, Calumet and Crown Graphic cameras and choose the Linhof for its build quality and precision. I enjoyed the Ebony cameras a lot, but in the end, they were too light for using an accessory like a 6x17 back IMO. I saved and waited for my Linhof (purchased used), because I wanted the build quality. The only other view camera I may add in the future is a Sinar for its independent shutter system. I do take my Linhof out of the studio occasionally, and I shoot not far from my vehicle or from my ebike that has a rear carrier basket to hold my gear. I would not let 6 lbs of camera weight deter my need for stability and precision, as I have already been down that road before. Like the OP stated, current DSLR cameras and glass can out weigh a Linhof easily. The other thing I do to minimize weight is to purposely pack a smaller bag with only two lenses and conserve on film. Most of the time, I am only after one or two shots per location. I travel via camper van for shooting locations and stow additional gear, film, etc. in the van and recharge as needed. We all have different priorities and unique needs.

The lenses I currently have for my Linhof: Nikon 90/4.5, 150/5.6, 210/5.6, Rodenstock 65/4.5, Docter 240/9.
The accessories I use: 4x5 Reflex Viewer, Universal Finder + 60x120 mask, Techno Rollex 6x12 and Shen Ho 6x17 film backs and Ebony Lens Shade Clip.
All of this gear fits inside an Ebony bag made for their 4x5 camera system when stored.

I stow my MT with the Nikon 150/5.6 on, and had to change out the lens cap for it to fit inside the opening of the bed.

Kind regards,
Darr