Which TK 45?

[bob_moulton]

I am considering the purchase of a 4x5 Linhof Technikardan with normal and bag bellows. What are the major differences between the TK 45, which is often available in the used market, and the current TK 45S, which is rarely available used because it is current? Secondly, beyond the technical differences, has anyone used both and chosen one rather the other? If so why?

Thanks,

Bob

[glenn_kroeger]

Bob- most important difference is the presence of zero-detents on the

S model. This vastly speeds setup of the camera. The design of the

rear L bracket was also strengthened but I am not sure that coincided

with the S model, or if some earlier models had that change.

[john_hennessy]

A salesman told me the TK45 does not have zero detents for swings and

tilts and is not as well reinforced in the L standards. I have never

seen the two side by side do I don't know if he was right.

 

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By the way, my TK45s is longer in the bellows and heavier than the

sales brochure said it would be. 3000g vs 3400g and 485 mm vs 504mm.

The length was welcome at least!

 

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You didn't ask, but a good source for a new one would be Robert White.

 

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Good luck.

[michael_briggs2]

The "S" model has four clickstops: both front and rear swings and

tilts. I think the previous model only has clickstops on the swings.

 

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The contruction of the "L" shaped standards is different. The front

standard of the previous model has a smaller cross-section than the

rear standard. The current "S" model has identical size standards on

the front and back. The construction has also changed: the previous

model uses single pieces of metal bent to shape, while the current

model has three pieces of metal assembled into the L shape. This was

probably done to reduce manufacturing cost, as achieving right angles

and no twist might be difficult in the bending process.

 

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The brochures I have for the two different versions show rather small

differences in the specifications such as weight, bellows extension

and movements. I am not sure which of these of real and which are

slight differences in measuring.

 

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Overall the differences seem pretty small.

[brian_ellis10]

I was told that, as someone else said, the change in the shape of the

L standard was strictly a function of manufacturing and not intended

to be an improvement. Assuming this is true, the only difference of

any consequence to you would be the zero detents. Some people like

them, since they make it a little easier to bring everything to a

zero position before starting with your adjustments and when folding

up the camera. Some people dislike them because they can make it

difficult to make a very small adjustment in a swing or tilt.

[michael_briggs2]

In response to the previous response. On many cameras the detents can

inhibit making small tilts or swings because they tend to guide the

camera back to the neutral position. This is not a problem on the TK

45S because there are small levers to disengage the detents. This

shows Linhof's attention to detail in the design of these cameras.