Linhof Technica 5x7

[Kirk Gittings]

I could use some help guys.
I borrowed this camera from Jan Pietrzak for a project I have coming up next month but unfortunately he died before I could do a walkthrough with the camera. To be honest, I have never used a VC more complicated than a Phillips, Tachihara, Zone VI or a Calumet.

First off I’m not even sure what model this is. I think it is a VI.

Second and more importantly, I can’t seem to figure out how to lock down the front standard to the bed rail. There must be one? But nothing I move or tighten seems to lock it down. I can jury rig a clamp. But there must be a lock that I am not seeing.

Thanks all.

[brad martin]

If comparable to a Toyo 45.

The knobs on each side would lock down rise and fall of the front standard.

The silver "L" shaped lever would lock down front tilt.... from forward back to parallel.

That lever on the bed would allow the front standard to tilt back, from parallel backwards.

Don't really know. They just look analogous.

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks, yes the knobs above the base of the standard control the rise, fall and shift. The large silver Upright lever controls and locks The tilt.
But nothing locks down the whole front standard to the bed rail. So if you were to put the camera/tripod 0n your shoulder the front standard would slide back and forth in the bed rail. So that means every time I move the camera/tripod I have to refocus because the standard is not locked down.
Does that make sense? I must be missing something. It can’t be designed this way.

Above is another pic of a lever that seems to do nothing.

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks, yes the knobs above the base of the standard control the rise, fall and shift. The large silver Upright lever controls and locks The tilt.
But nothing locks down the whole front standard to the bed rail. So if you were to put the camera/tripod 0n your shoulder the front standard would slide back and forth in the bed rail. So that means every time I move the camera/tripod I have to refocus because the standard is not locked down.
Does that make sense? I must be missing something. It can’t be designed this way.

Above is another pic of a lever that seems to do nothing.

You have the Super Technika IV. The last version was the V, there was no VI.

The lever on the left should lock the focus track after focusing.
For your other problem contact Precision Camera or Laflex in CA.

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks Bob.

[Corran]

On my wartime "Standard" 5x7, that little button on your 3rd pic is to disengage the sliding front standard, which fits into several notches on the rails that are cut to match with different lenses at infinity. However I would've assumed the newer 5x7 cameras (like the 4x5) would have the usual infinity stops like the IV / V / Master cameras (and other Press cams). Does your rails have little "V"s cut into it that locks the front standard in place at different points?

I've also seen Technikas that simply have worn-out front standards that don't hold on tight enough to the rails. Could be that if not.

[reddesert]

Bob is the expert here, but a suggestion:
Does the camera have infinity stops that are tiny notches filed into the rail, rather than fold down infinity stops? If so, in your picture 4 there is a silver button on subject's right of the standard (near the focus scale indicator). Pressing that probably releases the lock of front standard to rail, but it won't really lock firmly until you pull the standard into one of the notched positions, and then you can press the button to release it. I'm basing this on the 4x5 Tech III, which has a front standard with similar control placement to your camera.

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks. Yes it has one notch and that works. I’m not sure what focal length it is as I haven’t bothered with it yet. But that may me a solution down the line-adding more notches.

[Chauncey Walden]

Yes, Kirk. That's what I have to do on my III. I would have thought that by the IV they would have had slide on stops that screwed into place but the notches always work and if that button is releasing a knife edge into the rail, go for it. Or send the whole thing to me and I'll take care of it for you. I was sorry to hear about Jan.

[Kirk Gittings]

Chauncey thanks. Yes the notches are working. I added one yesterday. I happreciate the offer though.