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Thread: All Those 45 Technikas...

  1. #1
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    All Those 45 Technikas...

    All those 45 Technikas... by C Canon, on Flickr

    What make a Linhof camera a Technika… simply it is the presence of a lockable articulating rear standard on a Linhof field camera. This can easily be identified by the presence of 4 lock knobs protruding from the side at the rear.

    Note: The Aero Technika 45 and subsequent model Aero Technika 45 EL do not have the “Technika” rear standard but originated from the Technika 5x7 with slipstream housing and kept the Technika label…

    Also when I posted an earlier version on the Linhof Fans facebook group Bob reminded me the monorail Kardan 45 and successor Color Kardan were basically Technika's on a stick with the same articulating back as the Technika - but these cameras were never given the Technika name so I did not include them.

    Timeline

    1934 - Prototype Ur-Technika
    The prototype that would become the Linhof Technika. Looking like it was cobbled together from the spare parts bin this camera appears to have both Linhof and Perka camera parts. According to lore Nikolaus Karpf invented this shortly after taking over the company and had a grand vision of a bright future for Linhof with the Technika camera as its centerpiece.

    1934 - Modell 34
    Surprisingly the first Technika camera was not named a Technika. It was a Linhof Modell 34 with an articulating back.
    The Linhof Modell 34 was the top of the line camera made by Linhof Prazisions Kamera Werk in Munich, Germany. Several ads, reviews, press releases, and other marketing material heralded the arrival of the Modell 34, with sales commencing conveniently enough in early 1934.

    The first of the model 34 cameras did not have an articulating back. They were similar to the preceding model camera Linhof had called the Prazisionskamera. Near the end of 1934 the articulating back was added to the Modell 34 of 9x12 and larger.

    So why not change the name of this camera with the new feature?

    Perhaps the advertising budget for the year was already spent? or perhaps the Model 34 was always intended to have the back but it was somehow delayed?

    It is very likely nobody alive today knows the answer.

    By 1935 Linhof was no longer marketing the camera as the Modell 34, it is clear they were trying to rebrand it. It was marketed as Prazisions Modell Camera and the Spezial Modell Camera.

    One ad called it the: Linhof Original Universal-Prazisions-Camera Spezialmodell… in an attempt to cover all the bases at once.

    A version still made without the articulating back was named the Standard Modell.

    In 1936 the Technika name appeared and has stuck for over 85 years! I did not include the camera in the graphic above as the first Technika badged cameras were identical to the Model 34 of 1934.

    1938 - Technika
    The Technika saw many incremental design and functional changes from 1936 until 1945. Mostly centered around design changes and improvements to the front standard.
    Minor changes were constantly happening and the style shown here- with two front posts but no pull handle- dates to 1938
    Lensboard size changes in 1939.

    1942 - Wartime Technika
    Beginning as early as 1941 and continuing throughout WWII chrome lensboard locking clips are added to the front standard and the sports finder is changed to a wire crosshair type.

    1945 - Technika II
    This camera style likely first appears at the very end of the war c1945.

    Following the end of WWII the current version of the Technika was renamed the Technika II.

    The 1945 Technika II label designated postwar made cameras available only in 9x12 or 13x18.

    The term Technika II had been mentioned in sales info as far back as 1937 but at the time it only differentiated between models with or without a hinged door on the film back.

    The post war Technika II was a continuation of the wartime Technika cameras which could easily be identified by the 2 chrome lensboard clips at the top of the front standard. The post war Technika II cameras and wartime Technika cameras are the same except for one stylistic difference. The edge of the bed and the front edge of the body have a silver accent on the Technika II. It seems likely this style began just prior to the end of the war. Wartime Technika’s had black leather or paint along this edge.

    The post war 9x12 Technika II was very short lived, a year or less, and was quickly replaced by the new Technika III 9x12 in 1946. The 13x18 Technika II continued to be made until 1950.

    continued...
    Last edited by Embdude; 10-Jul-2022 at 10:48.

  2. #2
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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    1946 - Technika III (Early)
    In the fall of 1946 Linhof introduced a brand new 9x12/4x5 camera. The Technika III was a major design and style change. Slightly larger and more robust than the earlier models the exterior is no longer completely wrapped in black leather but instead a it is a satin chrome with black leather panels. It is streamlined in chrome and polished aluminum, while the Art Deco lensboard, interior, and bed, are black paint..

    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 and the cams are short and double sided with the 90mm and 50mm on opposite sides.

    3 distinct versions of the 4x5 Technika III exist: Early, Mid, & Late. Within these 3 categories individual models can be separated out possessing slight cosmetic and minor functional changes. The early models reflect the first Technika cameras while the late models foreshadow all the Technika's that have come since.

    1950 - Super Technika III (Mid)
    In 1950 Linhof restyled the 4x5” Technika III. A new RF cam design is introduced and the camera appears more 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 crown jewel of the 1950 refresh is the new shutter and lens design. The dial set compur shutter is literally given a facelift. While still the same inside, the exterior of the shutter is now a streamlined gleaming chrome cone, emblazoned LINHOF in bold red block letters. To fill the new Linhof shutters Schneider, Voigtlander, 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.

    In the North American market Kling has become the official dealer and the new Technika III models with rangefinder are christened the Super Technika.
    The Technika III is also the first Linhof camera to have a choice of color! Following the design refresh of 1950 a “burgundy red” or “forest green” version was available, covering the leather, bellows, and interior, completely eliminating the black.

    1954 - Super Technika III (Late)
    The late model Technika III’s foreshadowed what was to come. The new style door with the geometric shape and 2 focus wheels has continued on Technika’s through to today.
    This new door shape allowed newer larger lenses like the Schneider Xenotar and Zeiss Planar to remain in the camera when closed up for travel.

    The Linhof shield logo also appears on the upper right side of the lensboards for the first time.

    1956 - Technika Slipstream Housing
    The origins of the Aero Technika go back to the late 1950's and began as a slipstream housing that covered the front of a 13x18 Technika camera. This housing shielded the bellows from the wind and provided protection to the front of the camera. Apparently as the Aero Technika evolved from this it kept the name but not the function of the Technika...

    1957 - Super Technika IV
    The 4x5 Super Technika IV was truly a completely Super camera! Evolved from the original Technika of 1934 it was a reimagining of the Technika III. Nearly every mechanical feature of the III was redesigned to be more robust as well as to improve function.

    In a radical re-style the Technika IV cameras eliminated the black paint interior and black leather exterior. The interior color was either Sierra Tan, Pearl Grey, or Brown and the exterior leather was Tan. A new style lensboard in tan or grey crinkle paint was available only during the time-period which the Technika IV was sold.

    To ensure the Super status of their beloved hand crafted cameras Linhof contracted the top German optics companies to make special lenses to complete the Super camera. Some of the most iconic LF lenses ever made resulted. The Schneider 150mm 2.8 Xenotar, Voigtlander 150 & 210mm APO Lanthar, and the Zeiss 75mm Biogon, 135mm Planar, & 250mm Sonnar were all originally designed specifically for the Super Technika IV.

    This was the Golden Age for Linhof and the Super Technika title would stand to define the top of the line in professional and high end amateur cameras for the next 60 years.

    Amazingly the 1956 Super Technika IV design has lasted nearly 65 years and into the present day! The models that followed, the Super Technika V and Master Technika have only added incremental refinements building upon and perfecting the original design of the Super Technika IV.

    The 4x5 Technika IV was made for 8 years from 1956-1963 and there are 3 variations -
    Early - Struts attach to bed at single raised point
    Mid Production - Struts attached pinched between points
    Later - Struts attached pinched and Hawksbill shape on RF housing (better security of RH grip)

    1958 - Aero Technika
    Evolved from the Technika Slipstream Housing the Aero Technika is a robust aerial camera the minimal functions are encased in an armored housing with a grip on each side. It used the same film back, lensboards, and fantastic lens line-up as the Technika. The articulating back is not made on these cameras.

    The camera in this photo is equipped with the Linhof Focal Plane Shutter an accessory shutter that could be used with any 4x5 Technika camera from the III on.

    1963 - TechnikaFlex TLR
    The Linhof Technikaflex reflex housing attachment turned a Technika camera into a 4x5 TLR (Twin Lens Reflex). Mounted atop the Technika camera it utilized an identical but shutterless lens mounted on a 6x9 board as the viewing lens.

    1963 - Super Technika V
    Some black paint is back. The lensboard is now black, as is the Linhof shutter. Back locks are black trimmed and the Interior paint is blackish gunmetal grey.
    Exterior leather is still tan
    4x5 RH strut is not symmetrical and extends closer to bellows than LH side. No other Technika does this so this is unique to the 4x5 V.

    A major improvement over the earlier Technika’s is that the 4x5 Rangefinder Focusing Cams are now interchangeable between bodies and not unique to each specific camera.
    The rise knob is now a lever to facilitate the use of wide lenses which sit back in the body and make it hard to use the earlier style knob. Earlier V models have a white and tan plastic lever and later models a black metal one.

  3. #3
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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    1972 - Master Technika
    Adding greater wide angle lens function a top flap is cut out of the body. The range of movement of both front and rear standard are increased.
    The black leather is back and the style appears similar to the Technika III.

    Although the Master Technika it is nearly the same today as it was in 1972 when it replaced the Super Technika V there have been some minor improvements several cosmetic changes and different naming conventions over the last 49 years.

    1972 - Master Technika (MT) "Zebra finder" Chrome spring latches on back. A non-RF model was not marketed until the release of the MT2000 in 1995.
    (Linhof has always made special order cameras so a no-RF camera could have been special ordered.)

    1987 - "Black Finder" introduced but appears it was sold along the "zebra" style until about 1995... there also appears to be a style that was halfway between them with short "zebra stripes"

    1989 - Germany reunifies and Linhof drops the West word sometime between 1991-1994.

    1991 - Back spring latches now black. I think the whole back section is slightly changed as well. I know at some point the Fresnel is relocated to clip in over the GG, in the earlier MT cameras it fit forward of the GG.

    1974 - Aero Technika 45EL
    The Aero Technika is now modular.
    No longer using the Technika lensboard, each lens is now built into its own interchangeable lens cone. This gives the lens better protection when not attached to the camera.
    It can still take Technika backs but it has a new 4x5” rollfilm back! It is a popular camera with militaries and space agencies.

    1995 - Master Technika 2000 EMS
    MT 2000 released with EMS (electronic RF) or with no RF. The original MT was still available at this time.

    The first ever Large Format Electronic Viewfinder and Rangefinder, available as an accessory attachment for the 4x5” Master Technika 2000. “Precision Engineering met Advanced Electronics” and Linhof created the “Large Format System of the Future” - The EMS

    It generated very high praise and excitement when it first arrived but perhaps it was ahead of its time. The EMS unit was expensive and not foolproof, especially with longer focal lengths.

    Sales were low and eventually rather than trying to maintain the project Linhof offered to buy them back. Most were returned to Linhof but a handful remain in the wild today.

    2001 - EMS no longer sold

    1995 - Master Technika 2000
    A Master Technika without a built in rangefinder. Since the introduction of the rangefinder on the Technika III a model without one was also available. This was continued with the IV and V cameras but the relatively scarcity of these non-rf models in IV or V cameras indicates sales were very low. The Master Technika was only sold with a RF built in until the MT2000.

    The MT 2000 does have a new trick, it has a built in close focusing device so now a lens can be focused while remaining on the perch. As it is not able to couple to a RF it has never been added to the MT cameras with RFs.

    The MT 2000 has gone through some cosmetic changes over the years including:

    2003 - Back lock knobs and focus wheels are now all chrome (they were black paint trimmed chrome before). MT 2000 strap lugs have been relocated to the top from the sides as the EMS is no longer an option. MT 2000 no longer has a cover over the spot where the RF would attach and the leather is now flush along the side with no visible cover.

    2005 - Sliding flap lock design changes to all black button. Also cosmetic change to the back change clips.

    2001 - Master Technika Classic
    The Master Technika is renamed the Master Technika Classic. Presumably this is done to better differentiate between the Master and 2000.
    The Master Technika Classic has the same styling and trim as the 2001 MT2000

    2006 - Master Technika 3000
    Nearly identical to the MT2000 with one exception. The MT 3000 now an external knob to actuate the internal perch focus for wide lenses. - The final version of the 5x7 Technika V also had this feature in 1963.

    2008 - MT 3000 / MT Classic. Cosmetic change to back change clips.

    2013 - Commemorative & Special Finish Cameras
    The Master Technika Classic of 2013 was made in a special white leather to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Linhof Camera Co.

  4. #4
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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Throughout its 87 years the Technika has had a number of Special Finish or Commemorative cameras:

    1937 - Technika Medizin with special all White Medical Finish. A special order finish available until 1957 when the Technika III ceased production.

    1952 - Technika III Burgundy and Forrest Green versions (6x9 4x5 & 5x7). Colored leather bellows, interior paint, and accessories. These colors could be special ordered for any Technika III until 1957.

    1955 - For commercial purposes, a transparent 6x9 Super Technika III was built with Rollex cassette, in order to demonstrate the technology of the camera.

    1957 - Blue Leather and interior paint Technika III 23

    1962 - 75th Company anniversary Gold Super Technika 6×9 with matching Rollex roll film cassette. (Visual appearance of Gold 6x9 is of a Technika III but the date of 1962 puts if firmly in Technika IV production time-period.)

    Others exist as well... I know there were also a couple of commemorative red MT and at least one commemorative gold MT done but I am not clear on the date or details of the commemoration...

    Well thats all I have got to say about that...

    This is the first time I have run into the BB's imposed max character limit per post so I have broken it up a bit, sorry.

    If you are still reading this, I salute you! Take a break... go drink a beer... you have earned it!

    Cheers!

    P.S. - I do try to get things right but do make mistakes as well as have typos and transposed numbers sometimes. Please feel free to point out any errors or mistakes.

  5. #5
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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Thank you
    Tin Can

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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Yes, thanks. Lots of great info!

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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Well done, sir. I've always admired those cameras, and came close to owning one once. Maybe someday!

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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Amazing. Such beautiful machines.

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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    I had a 1954 - Super Technika III (Late) that was unusual in that it had no leather covering but was metal finish almost battleship grey. Never seen one like it.

  10. #10
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    Re: All Those 45 Technikas...

    Thanks Everyone!

    Quote Originally Posted by linhofbiker View Post
    I had a 1954 - Super Technika III (Late) that was unusual in that it had no leather covering but was metal finish almost battleship grey. Never seen one like it.
    I have not seen a 45 III without leather (other than ones modified by the owners). I would be very interested in seeing your camera if you can dig up any photos you have of it. The 4x5 III is my favorite Linhof and I am most knowledgable of it above the others, so I am always happy to learn new information about the III.

    During WWII (c1943-1945) Linhof produced some cameras that were finished in a rough painted exterior rather than in leather. All I have seen have been black, and most marked with "Air-Force Property" in German.

    The 45 Aero-Technika of 1958 had a cream colored hardened exterior so perhaps something similar could have been done for a Technika III - Perhaps a prototype for the Aero-Technika? This is my best guess, not a camera I know of.

    The next cameras to lack leather I know of were the 1961 Technika 70 and the following 23 models.

    In 1952-1957 the 23, 45, & 57 Technika cameras were available in Red, Green, Grey, & Ivory - but this was colored leather, as well as paint and bellows. I have seen all but Grey in the 45 Technika III line. I have seen Grey in the 23 model III and it appears to be grey leather.

    The Medical Technika was a special order white camera finish on Technika I & II cameras. I have not ever seen one except for a single photo of a 18x24 monster Technika in the "Mezdin" finish. This camera used specially sealed leather panels rather than the traditional wrapped leather exterior and was similar in appearance to the style of the later III.

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