Explanation of early Kardan models

[artie_kapell5]

I've been shooting with a field 2x3 and am interested in buying a 4x5

monorail. As I would like to do it inexpensively, I have thought of

getting one of the earlier Kardans but haven't been able to find any

side-by-side comparisons of the earlier models. In addition, it has

been suggested to me that I look at one of the new Kardan M's as

another alternative. Can anyone give me a summary of the different

Kardans, or their experience with the current lesser-expensive

models, or direct me to a website with this information. It would be

important for me to be able to carry the camera a few miles, so

portability and weight is an issue. Thanks. Also, I know that I

could also consider 4x5 field cameras, but would like the experience

of shooting monorails. Thanks.

 

Artie Kapell, Richmond VA

[bob_salomon]

There is no site that lists all of the various Kardan 45 cameras:

 

Kardan Color, Kardan Color 45S, Kardan Super Color (round rail), Kardan

Super Color profile rail, Kardan B, Kardan ST, Kardan Standard, Kardan ST-

E, Kardan TL, GTL, GTL AMS, GT, M, GT-I, L, TE-L.

 

Nor will you find anyone with experience enough to go through the

differences with you.

 

The book "The Linhof Camera Story" Second Edition is the only printed

source with all of these.

 

Or you can call me again.

[tedharris]

Artie,

 

As Bob suggests, calling him is yoru best bet. I can give you information on

the kardan Color 45S as I used one extensively for 5 years in the 1970's. It

was long enough ago that I can't give you details but I can tell you that it

worked smoothly and flawlessly and that it did all I needed it to do. I used it

for studio portraiture and figure work, for tabletop product work, to copy art

and, I hauled it out into the field for landscapes. Never had a complaint.

There were mor esophisticated cameras then and there are now but I couldn't

afford them and didn;t miss the feature. I never failed to get a job done

because the Kardan wasn't up to it.

 

Truth be told I am sorry I sold it.

 

Cheers,

 

Ted

[tim_stahl]

I had a Kardan super color, sold it (stupid on my part). It was a really great camera. Missed it so much that I just bought a Kardan BI a friend was selling. All of the Kardans I have used have been great cameras. The only time I have heard anything negative about them was regarding the original "color" model, prior to the "super color" model.

[bob_salomon]

"regarding the original "color" model, prior to the "super color" model."

 

Close but not quite there. The poster has the model immediatly prior to the

Super Color - the Kardan Color. The Kardan Color replaced the Linhof Color

and had the same feature as the Color + back rise and a 2 part rail.

Aslo did you actually have a Super Color or did you have the model the

replaced it the Kardan Color 45S? Or did you have the camera that replaced

the 45S - the Kardan Super Color? Or its other name - Kardan SUPER color

JBL?

 

Very few people actually had the Original Kardan Super Color.

[tim_stahl]

"Aslo did you actually have a Super Color "

 

It said "Super Color" on the rear standard. It did not have any other letters. What other indications would there be to figure out the difference?

[bob_salomon]

Round rail (original Super Color) or profile rail (Later versions including the

JBL)?

 

Or the serial number.

[tim_stahl]

It was the type with the profile rail, so it must have been the later version.