Linhof Technika 3 (type 3 I think), is it worth purchasing?

Hello everyone,

 

A friend of friend of mine offer me a very good condition Technika 3 (the flat bed type) with an old Voigtlander

Heliar in Compur shutter for about 450USD.

 

I have just had a quick look at it, it seems to be a really solid piece of equipment, but not had the chance to

use it more extensively.

 

Can I please ask if thats a good investment or quite expensive?

 

What is it major drawbacks in comparison with later model?

 

I will be using this one more for street/social shooting so will be quite fond of using the rangefinder. Is it

easy to find cam for different lenses for this model?

 

Many thanks for your help!

www.cameraquest.com

Hi Bill, thanks for the source. I'd still quite like to hear from personal experience. And can I ask how much should I pay for it? I really have no idea about this camera's value

If I told you that it has been discontinued since the early 1950s, the factory has not made parts or accessories for it for

decades, the current lens boards and ground glass and fresnel (that means the ones made after the early 50s), and that the

camera has no forward lens tilt (only backward tilt) and that their are no cams or repair parts available would you invest

very much in it?

 

Buy a IV or later. That accepts all current accessories and does have forward lens tilt.

sam,

 

have a close look at all the details like bellows, knobs etc. are they intact? if they are and the overall condition is good, i at least think that the price is very good. for the heliar alone prices are being offered that exceed the combos by far. but does it come with a cam? if not, bob is right, that marflex does not cut any cams for models earlier than the V i believe. but i think richard ritter still does. www.lg4mat.net

but first check another thing: maybe this camera still has the original back. sometimes this is a problem e.g. with modern super rollex roll film backs. the handle gets in the way of the backs levers and will not sit sty in place firmly. that could be a a vote for a later camera as bob recommend or in case you want the option of using roll film backs you might invest in a newer /model IV back which fits a III as well.

get all the information, make a decision, change the features if required and then ask richard to cut a cam (ask him before buying in case he can't do it!)

 

or invest in a model V or the later master technika. there you still can get cams cut and all the present accessoires still match and fit.

but they will be at least 3-5 times the price without a lens. used.

 

see if street ph. in your case requires grafmatics or roll film backs to be fast. check with model III back again.

 

nevertheless finding cams to lenses is another issue, since linhof and marflex recommend exact matching cams/specially cut for individual lenses to guarantee precise function.

With all due respect to Mr. Salomon, not all of us can afford a IV or later.

 

The things I would check out on this camera are:

 

1) The lens! How well does the shutter work? Is the glass clean? Is it a focal length that you like and will use? Can you see any photos made with it?

 

2) The camera body. Does it do what you want it to do? Are you comfortable using it?

 

3) I'm not very familiar with the Linhof line, but I understand that with the Tech III cameras, the backs on some of them might not accept contemporary standard film holders. So check that out! Does it have the regular Graflock/International back? If it does, that means you'll be able to use roll film backs and other accessories.

 

Basically, what you're getting in a camera like this is a camera very similar to a Speed or Crown Graphic, but with rear movements possible and much stronger build. Also heavier.

 

If you think you can use this camera to good effect, then it's probably all right. $450 might be a little high, but who knows? You could check completed auctions on eBay, or google around for more info on its value.

 

But here's a thought too: Whenever I buy a used camera -- or even a new one -- I just assume that if I re-sell it, I'll lose money on it. If I can sell it for more than I bought it for, well that's just dandy. But I just assume otherwise.

 

Anyway, if it works for you, it works for you. And if you intend to keep it and use it for a long time, who cares about investment value, especially when you're not investing that much to begin with.

 

If you're not comfortable with it, pass it up and get something else.

 

Good luck!

I have the British MPP Microtechnical Mk VII which is very similar (approximate copy) to the Technika III. (The MPP Mk VIII was like the Tech iV) My experience of the MPP is that it is a fine rugged camera for general LF use with movements of about 15 degrees of everything except front forward tilt. If you do not want to push the boundaries of LF photography or just use it for learning then it will probably work well.

 

Have alook at this link here :

 

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/linhof/technika.html

 

With the MPP (and presumably the Tech III there are some weak spots. Watch for floppy front standards (incurable) and broken back track links (small links connecting the main track to the back track. If the camera is closed with the track still extended to any degree these links will get damaged.)

 

I cannot say much about the Heliar as they were made in two broad types (4 and 5 element) with many variations. Just make sure the shutter works and the lens is free of defects and you will get something from it though as it is probably uncoated a more modern single coated lens will give better overall results.

thank you very much for your advice. I have checked and everything works correctly. I guess I will try to get the price down abit then I'd be happy.

 

I have 2 more questions:

 

1. I understand there's no front tilt on the camera, is there anyway I can customise it and add front tilt?

 

2. it just have the original back, is there any way I can add a polaroid holder on it? Is graflok back for this model rare?

 

Many thanks

You can drop the bed, then use the backward tilt to adjust the resulting forward tilt of the standard. Or you can tilt the whole camera, then use the rear adjustments to bring the back to vertical again, giving you some forward tilt. In either case, use front rise to reposition your lens for framing the shot.

 

Later backs will fit on the camera (say, from a Tech IV) but that means tracking one down and buying it, which means another cash outlay.

Turn it on its side and use front swing instead. The MPP VII has two tripod bushes for exactly that reason but I don't know about the Tech III. Or use back movements.

Since you have back tilt, you don't really need front tilt. (I did a survey here last year, and was surprised that most LF shooters use rear tilt instead of front.)

As long as you are aware that back tilts will change the shape of the object. Front movements do not change the shape.

 

Rear tilt is what you use to prevent converging verticals when the camera is tilted. If the camera is level a rear tilt will

cause converging lines.

 

The real answer is to use a camera with all movements so the camera does not dictate what you have to do.

A better Idea is to get a book on the use of 4x5 one comes to mind is Steve Simmons the view camera !, It will help a lot !

I love my Tech III. I can't imagine that I would love it more if it had front tilt. They are a little quirky, like filing notches in the rails for standard stops. I had to modify the back slightly to accept my Grafmatic holders but the precision modular construction made this easy. I considered it an absolute bargain at $200 without a lens. Depending on which Heliar comes with, $450 may be a very reasonable price - assuming a good bellows, of course.

<p>Cam should match the lens number for perfect work, otherwise you will have to buy a used 150mm cam for the III tech and send it to a technician. That for sure will add 100/200 for the work.<br>

The heliar is coated? if it is so and its in good shape then the lens only could cost 400+. <br />ive got the same set, lens with same numbered cam, trading it for some other equipment. The value of it is around 800+. <br />450 sounds like a really good price if the camera is in good shape and the heliar is coated. </p>