Originally Posted by
Bob Salomon
He is totally wrong!
The 2000 was introduced without a rangefinder system built in and no way to add cams for focusing.
With the 2000 Linhof also introduced an IR focusing/Viewing module that could be calibrated by the service centers on a specially dedicated computer running an old DOS program. The rangefinder could be programmed for lenses from 65 mm to 360mm and there were two knobs on the right end of the unit. One turned it on and off and the other selected the desired focal length that service had programmed into its memory. To calibrate it each lens they had to be sent to the service center along with the camera.
This focusing / Viewing system projected the proper frame into the eyepiece along with NCO like focal length and lens model, distance, depth of field. The frame would correct for field size and parallax, as the current Multifocus finder does.
However there was a problem with this system, actually a few problems. One, it could not focus accurately on any type of herring bone pattern, this included common things like a picket fence at an angle. Two, it would not focus accurately with 240mm or longer lenses.
You can ID which of the 2000 bodies were the early ones made to accept this finder by looking underneath the top flap of the camera. On these early cameras there was a small rectangular opening that was covered by the body covering material. This was to allow a small IR receiver to protrude under the top flap. Close to the lens and it would receive IR info from a unit that pugged not the two holes on top of the front standard that are usually used to mount the compendium.
As the unit did not function as it was supposed to it was quickly discontinued after the first production run and all units were recalled. We got back all but one that we sold, that one was bought by a woman in AZ. We have no idea where it ended up.
We refunded the cost of the units to all of the other buyers, or to their dealers, the computer is hopelessly out dated today and was disposed of after Martin Arndt died. So, even if you could find one of these units, there is no way to program it today.
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