Technika prices in 1970?

[David Lindquist]

I also have a June 1972 price list from Kling Photo Company (U.S. importers of the Linhof at that time). It has more detailed information about the 4 X 5 Technika V, but notes that information for the 5 X 7 would be "furnished on request". The Technika body was $1050.00. This included the anatomical grip but not a lensboard/lens/cam or Multifocus finder.

The Multifocus Universal Optical Viewfinder, Model C was $215.00.

Several "normal" lenses were offered. As a typical example, a 150mm Technika Symmar in a No. 1 Compur was $289.00 ($216.00 in a Copal). Supplying the lens with a cam and mounted on a board was an additional $70.30.

Among some of the pricier offerings were the 150mm f/2.8 Technika Xenotar in a No. 2 Compur for $709.00, the 135mm f/3.5 Planar (described as "New Type") in a No. 1 Compur for $725.00 and the 75mm f/4.5 Biogon in a No. 0 Compur for $1330.00. Lensboard + mounting and cam would be an additional $60.80 to $76.30 depending on the lens.
David

[Oren Grad]

Thanks, David. So we're in the ballpark of $2000 for a deluxe configuration of the 4x5.

[PaulSchneider]

so about 10k if you correct for inflation ...

[Oren Grad]

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' CPI calculator, $2100 in 1972 inflates to just under $11,000 in 2010, which is pretty close to what a Master Technika with finder, grip and cammed 150 Apo-Sironar-S would cost if you ordered a set new in the United States now.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

So long as we're time-traveling, re the Superwide C: I'll take 3. Could you pack them with some extra silica for long-term storage?

Kling Photo mention is near and dear, in that Paul Klingenstein killed off his own brainchild (the Meridan 45C, in prototype and slated for production--I've got one of two known surviving prototypes), to re-import Linhofs c.1950. The 1948 Peerless Photo catalog on Camera Eccentric indicates a price for a bare Meridian 45A without a lens or RF at $225.

Meanwhile, a Deardorff Commercial 4x5 was only $131, the 5x7 was $136.50 and the 8x10 was $187. Postpaid. ("That's right, I'll take five of each, please. And could you schedule their delivery for, say, about late Spring of 1999? Ring me up to remind me so I can go meet them at the station? Thanks.")

[engl]

Kling Photo mention is near and dear, in that Paul Klingenstein killed off his own brainchild (the Meridan 45C, in prototype and slated for production--I've got one of two known surviving prototypes), to re-import Linhofs c.1950. The 1948 Peerless Photo catalog on Camera Eccentric indicates a price for a bare Meridian 45A without a lens or RF at $225.

Do you have any information about or photos of the Meridian 45C?

I always though the Meridian 45B was one of the most interesting press/technical cameras, so I wonder what the next iteration would have been like...

[Inayat Noor]

I have the 1965 "Photography Directory and Buying Guide" for all camera gear.
Linhof Color 4X5: $104.50
Color 23: $299.50
Kardan Color 5X7: $592, 8X10: $817
Technika 70: $845, c 3 lenses:$1849
Super Technika V 4X5: $699.50, 5X7:$940
Press 70: $$735

Burke and James 11X14: $324.50

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Engl,
Yes, I own and regularly use one of the two known surviving Meridian 45C prototypes. A Meridian Instrument Co. engineer's son has the other. Mine has a completely revised swing and shift arrangement on the front standard which is pretty sweet in that it has a cam lever lock (instead of the big kludgy thumbwheel and channel arrangement on the 45B that doesn't permit small amounts of swing). I own a nice 45B as well.

I also have the original brochure for the 45C that used images of the prototypes. I'll be putting together new webpage for some of my gear soon and will send you a link when I get it up.

[engl]

Engl,
Yes, I own and regularly use one of the two known surviving Meridian 45C prototypes. A Meridian Instrument Co. engineer's son has the other. Mine has a completely revised swing and shift arrangement on the front standard which is pretty sweet in that it has a cam lever lock (instead of the big kludgy thumbwheel and channel arrangement on the 45B that doesn't permit small amounts of swing). I own a nice 45B as well.

I also have the original brochure for the 45C that used images of the prototypes. I'll be putting together new webpage for some of my gear soon and will send you a link when I get it up.

I look forward to seeing your page about the 45C! Thank you.

What about the back, is it a Graflok, or same as the 45B?

[Oren Grad]

How about the Deardorff V11 in 1970... anyone?