upscan Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6</title> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff"> <p>LINHOF's book, "The Linhof Camera Story", page 102 includes the following sentences, transcribed verbatim: </p> <p><b>"Among professionals, the "Technika" name soon became synonymous with the technical camera and with Linhof. It also became something of a photographers' status symbol, particularly the luxury version with deep red leather covering and bellows, supplied to special order."</b></p> <p>I have seen this luxury version in the Technika IV. In addition to the 'deep red' leather covering, really a maroon or dark burgundy, another distinguishing feature is the brighter chromed aluminum trim which stands out compared to that of other Technikas, I suppose to emphasize the made to order status of these cameras. The viewfinder shoe for example sports deep chromed and highly polished rails, while all other trim appears brighter than in all other Technikas. Has anyone seen these cameras in the Technika V and Master models? What else do you know about them? Thanks.</p> </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Thanks, Julio. I had no idea that my red Technika was anything special. Next time I have the bellows replaced, (an unfortunately regular event), I'll try to do it again in the original red leather. As I recall, it certainly was a pretty thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Page 102 refers to the Technika III not the later models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upscan Posted November 10, 2002 Author Share Posted November 10, 2002 Bob: The quotation does appear in the Technika III section but the reference to the luxury versions is generic to all Technikas that were made in the 'luxury versions' even those that were made after the Technika III as was the case. These 'luxury' made to order versions were made in the Technika IV models also. What I wanted to know is if they were also made in the Technika V models as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 NO. And there is no reference in either serial number listings or in The Linhof camera Story first or current edition to one for tor the IV. Only a recent ebay listing from canada with mistatements and errors in description for one sold friday or Thursday. The only true "luxury" version 45 was the gold plated Master Technika made for the 50th anniversary of the Technika series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upscan Posted November 10, 2002 Author Share Posted November 10, 2002 Bob: The fact that the reference does not appear every time the Technika is mentioned in the Linhof Camera Story does not make these luxury versions of the Technika IV disappear. One should not expect a reference to the luxury version to appear every time the Technika name is mentioned in a book which by necessity leaves out so much detail about these cameras. Your narrow interpretation is YOUR interpretation but it misses the point. Also, if the serial numbers in your posession as you claim, do not show them, that only proves poor record keeping, after all, the irrefutable evidence is in the cameras, which do exist. It is well known that Linhof models changed in fact though the names given to the cameras did not keep with the changes made. These evolutionary changes result in what are known as transitional models, -i.e. models with the features of the next model and the name of the old, and may also explain your serial number discrepancies. Thanks for your reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_ellis3 Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Something like this was sold on e bay a month or so ago, though the one Bob mentions might have been a relisting of the same camera. I don't now remember whether the one I saw a month or so ago was a III, IV, or V. You might be able to still find it in the completed sales section of e bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Julio, Linhof has not had any covering material for models other then the Master for over a decade. We have seen many samples of unusual coverings on various Technika cameras done by individuals or repair shops when the original replacement covering was not available. These have included both colors and exotic skins like lizard, alligator and snake skin. But these are not factory coverings. In the more then 30 years that we have been the Linhof distributor there has been no listing for or offering for any 45 Technika in a limited edition finish other then the 50th Gold edition. You should also take notice that page 102 has the title Technika III in 7/16" high letters. What is described on this page pertains to the III series. There is no mention of a "Luxury" edition on page 99 for the IV or 66 for the V. The III was a post war continuation of the Medezin series which began well before the war and continued well into it. For some uses the Medizin series was available in a washable white finish rather then the traditional coverings. This also should not be construed as anything other then practical as it was designed for use in the operating room. If you want to collect "Luxury editions" then you have every right to do so. But nlike other European camera manufacturers like Leica, Alpa, Hasselblad, Rollei, etc. Linhof did not produce many custom or rare coverings on a commercail basis. One ups from time to time for presentation or gifts - yes. But these would be properly engraved and come with documentation. So buyer beware. As for our serial number lists. They are complete from 1946 to the end of the century for 6x9, 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 models. there are no gaps in the listings. We have even more complete listings for Rodenstock from 1910 to the end of the century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upscan Posted November 10, 2002 Author Share Posted November 10, 2002 Bob: Appreciate your detailed reply which includes some useful information not generally known or at least not known to me. With regards to the IV luxury version please consider two facts: One, that while it is possible to cut the pieces by hand, cutting them so that the corners are perfectly rounded to a radius estimated at 1 or 1/2 mm can only be done with a die. This only can be done with specially made dies such as Linhof uses for its production. Additionally, and more siginificant is the fact that with the luxury version of these cameras the back of the folding focusing hood is in the wrinkled finnish used by Linhof but NOT in grey or black but in the same colour as the covering. Difficult as it is to believe that anyone could have cut the covering pieces identical to Linhof production down to the mini-rounded corners without a full set of dies, it is even more difficult to believe that anyone could have done such a factory job on the back paint as to match Linhof's in texture and in the covering's colour to boot. Additionally, the different appearance of the chrome from other Technikas is a tale tell sign. Frequently factories do things with production models that confuse the records later on. Yes, if only gold defines luxury then the 50th anniversary eddition is the only one. However, Linhof did brand other cameras as luxury without involving gold except perhaps in the price. You are right of course in that linhof did not produce many 'luxury models. They did produce however Technika IIIs and IVs with red leather colour, red paintted focusing hood lid and brighter chrome trim. No after market however thirsty for lucre could have made those models: it would have been too expensive. The 7/16" high letters in the Technika III page do not tell otherwise, they are part of the story. Thanks Bob, we will have to agree to disagree but perhaps, if you do not mind I would appreciate discussing some of these issues outside this forum. May I call you? thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon3 Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 800 735-4373 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._mose Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Julio, I believe this is the model you are referring to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1396131573 Am I right? JP Mose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 > Bob: Appreciate your detailed reply which includes some useful > information not > generally known or at least not known to me. With regards to the IV luxury > version please consider two facts: One, that while it is possible > to cut the > pieces by hand, cutting them so that the corners are perfectly > rounded to a > radius estimated at 1 or 1/2 mm can only be done with a die. This > only can be > done with specially made dies such as Linhof uses for its production. > Additionally, and more siginificant is the fact that with the > luxury version of > these cameras the back of the folding focusing hood is in the > wrinkled finnish > used by Linhof but NOT in grey or black but in the same colour as > the covering. etc.... Bear in mind that there are a few specialists who redo Leicas - re-cover M3's in lizard skin, backed on black paint models, special anodized colourings, chromed parts etc. all done by hand, but so incredibly well done, with the camera being dis-assembled, you would think it was a factory job (apart from the wild colour choices sometimes). Sometimes entirely mathcing fdactory finsishes, soemtimes with compeltely new finsishes (including the wrinkle finish as on the Tech). So I don't see why a Tech IV or whatever - like the one pictured on ebbay - wouldn't be the result of similar craftmanship. So I see no reason why this (check out Tom Abrahamsons Jerry Garcia Purple Haze M4 Commemorative edition half way down the page...: http://www.cameraquest.com/TAnotcoll.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Tim, my Burgandy Technika IV was definitely a factory product, I presume imported through Kling before HP became the distributer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_tucker2 Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 I was jonesing over that burgundy IV that was on ebay. I talked to the owner, and something happened to the deal; he's relisting it today or tomorrow. It appears to be very clean; the burgundy finish was pretty sweet.<P> I bought another VERY clean IV on Friday; it arrived today. I would like to ask two questions, and hope this is not out of line, or bad protocol, since it does not relate to topic.<P> But you guys seem very informed.<P> 1. All the (bad) memories came flooding back today as I shot my first polaroids with this IV body with the Linhof lenses. Namely the way you have to set the lens to "T" to focus, and then reset the shutter speeds to actually shoot the photograph. Question: Where can I research the best "modern" lenses that will work the very best on the IV body, but with modern features such as that little black level that allows you to simply open and close the lens to focus, without messing with "T", and the shutter speeds? <P> With the body, I bought a Linhof 240 f5.5 on a Linhof board, and then a Linhof 90 f68 on a recessed board.<P> 2. On the 2000, since it deals with wideangle lenses differently, can you get away without using a recessed lensboard? What about on my IV; my fingers are just too fat to get in there and work the 90.<P> 3. I also noticed that the focusing lock lever on this new IV is MUCH different from the one on my old III. I like the III version better; the IV's I find very hard to get to. Wonder if there's any way to change them out?<P> --- I appreciate any tolerance you can grant me to drift off topic.<P> Mark Tucker<BR>Photographer, Nashville<BR>http://marktucker.com/<BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 With the 240 you picked the one shutter size that didn't have (at the time) a "press-focus" feature. For $150 Mr. Grimes will put in a "blade-arester" which works like the one on your 90. Check your bellows very, very, very carefully for leaks. Get some neatsfoot oil and rub down the bellows (I've often wondered if they cut off the neat's feet, or just squeeze it real hard?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_tucker2 Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 Bill, <P> Thanks for the note about the bellows. The ones on this camera seem like new, but I'll check them anyway with a bright flashlight. Here is a photo of the camera I bought. Not as sweet as Julio's but nice nonetheless.<P> http://marktucker.com/temp/linhof.jpg<P> PS. I also wonder where the Serial Number is located. Bob Salomon mentioned that with certain early serial numbers of the IV, I might have trouble finding parts.<P> -Mark Tucker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_ellis3 Posted November 14, 2002 Share Posted November 14, 2002 On the Tech V, and I assume on the Tech IV, the serial number is located under the accessory shoe. If you remove the shoe, which is very easy to do, you'll see the number. There usually is also a serial number on the shoe itself. Normally this is the same as the serial number under the shoe. However, if the shoe has been lost and replaced by someone along the way then the two numbers can be different so to be sure you should look at the one on the camera itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc1664886115 Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Pacific Rim Camera has posted a Kling Photo Linhof Dealer sheet from 1957 detailing the colors and finishes available on the Tecnika IV 4x5 23 and 5x7 https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01694/01694.pdf 23 (6x9): Cameras are finished in Black and Satin Chrome. On special order (10-12 weeks) the camera can be supplied with leather covering and bellows in Sand Gray, Burgundy Red, or Forest Green, at no extra charge. An All-Ivory finish, including Ivory-Enameled camera bed and interior, with Ivory leather covering and bellows is also available @ $39.00 4x5 model IV: Cameras are finished in Sierra Tan and Satin Chrome, with Black leather bellows. On special order (10-12 weeks) the camera can be supplied with leather covering in Jet Black, Burgundy Red, or Forest Green, at no extra charge. An All-Ivory finish, including Ivory-Enameled camera bed and interior, with Ivory leather covering and bellows @ $50.00 5x7 : Cameras are finished in Black and Satin Chrome. On special order (10-12 weeks) the camera can be supplied in Sand Gray, Burgundy Red, or Forest Green leather, at no extra charge. An All-Ivory finish, including Ivory-Enameled camera bed and interior, with Ivory leather covering and bellows @ $55.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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