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Linhof Technika Serial Number Questions


Glenn McCreery

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I have two questions. I own a very old 13 cm by 18 cm Technika

with serial number 3241. When was the camera manufactured?

The second question relates to my Technika III version V. I can

find no serial number. I think that I have looked everywhere, even

under the accessory shoe. There were some partly legible

numbers on the cam before I removed it (along with the

rangefinder, etc. in order to lighten the camera for field work).

There is no evidence of filing or grinding off a serial number.

Were there cameras manufactured without serial numbers?

And, if not, where should I look?

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The number on the cam is most likely the serial number of the lens that the cam was matched with, not the camera serial number.

 

I doubt that Linhof made Tech IIIs without serial numbers. This is after all a German company we're talking about here. I'm surprised Bob didn't tell you where to look for it. On the later Technika models the number is under the accessory shoe but I very vaguely recall reading somewhere that it's in a different location on the IIIs. However, I could be completely wrong. If I am, is it possible that the numbers have just worn off under the shoe? I have a very late Tech V, quite a bit newer than yours, and even with this considerably newer camera the numbers are worn quite a bit though they're still legible.

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Thank you for your answers. I will take another closer look under

the accessory shoe. I believe that the 13 cm by 18 cm Technika

is older than a II since it has no provision for a rangefinder, has

an old uncoated Schneider Xenar lens (SN: 1849321) in a

dial-set Compund shutter, and has a pre-war Art Deco look to it.

The rotating back has D.R.G.M. and D.R.P. inscribed. Am I

mistaken?

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Glenn - Since posting my message to you I've learned that it was partially wrong. I said that the number you saw on the cam was probably the serial number of the lens to which the cam was matched. That could be right but I've since read that there actually were two serial numbers on the cams for the III. The one on the top of the cam is as I said, the lens serial number. However, on the cams for the III the serial number of the camera apparently was put on the underside of the cam. So you should see two serial numbers on the cam, one on top for the lens and one underneath for the camera. I learned this from reading something, not from my own experience since I don't own a III, so if what I read is wrong then this message is wrong but it would be worth checking the underside of the cam. I'd be interested to know whether you see a number there.
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Brian and Bob, thank you very much for your replies. The

number, which is only half legible and written in ink, is on the top

of the cam. Nothing is on the bottom. So, perhaps this was not

the original cam? I guess that I may never know the serial

number of the camera. Which does not bother me. My main

concern was that, if there were an obvious place for the serial

number on the camera body, and if it were removed, then I might

own a camera that was stolen at some point in time (I bought it

from a camera store and have a receipt, so legaly I was not

worried, just ethically). Now, does anyone have a difinitive

answer for my other question? (see my last previous message

and the attached image).

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  • 1 month later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Hello there,

 

I have just found an old Super Technika V, complete with original Linhof "Certificate of Ownership". The serial number matches the number stamped on the flat of the accessory shoe.

Can anyone give me an idea of its production date.

 

The number is 2161120

 

Many thanks, Doug Fothergill

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  • 5 years later...

3241 was made in 1947. All Linhof cameras have a serial number. Normally on the accessory shoe. Some old ones (and

your are all very old) can have the number on the drop bed. There are also numbers under the body covering but I would not

go looking for those unless you know how to remove and replace it as the covering for your cameras haven't been made in

over 30 years.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Bob,

I have an "old" Linhof which I still have to identify with any precision. It is a 6.5x9 with a Kalart RF, serial No. 15862

 

Fundamentally my search is to find out what kind of accessories were available for this camera's back, or whether a rollfilm

back will absolutely require a custom adaptation.

 

Thanks,

t

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Hi Bob,

I took the serial number off the rail door. The body does not have an accessory shoe, as it has a sports finder mounted.

The back is not big enough to be a 4x5, however, as the plate/holder size is 101x145mm. Thus, we have serial mayhem,

so here are a couple of pictures.

 

Thanks,

t<div>00QSjI-63243884.thumb.jpg.702609d953e1a8c7797afa2cc7cc3430.jpg</div>

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Let's add to the confusion. The Lensboard says "Standard Press". The Standard Press was a 4x5 made from 1950 to 1954.

 

But your camera does not look at all like the Standard Press.

 

Your camera does look exactly like the Technika Standard (Technika Medizin) made from 1936 until partway into WWII (it

was also available in an 18 x 24cm model until into 1944).

 

We have no serial number records prior to 1946.

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Hi Bob,

yes, the lensboard is a SP one that was cut down, it seems. the lens is a Vaskar which must have come off of a

compact folder, I believe. But this is not a worry, as my intention is to use other lenses, or a variety of lenses.

 

The lack of information on early serial numbers would make sense, in the oddness of numbers and dates.

 

Do you know of any source of information on the early Standard?

 

Thanks again,

t

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  • 3 months later...

Bob, and others who are keeping in touch with this string, you may continue to receive odd questions like mine. My father-in-law passed away a couple of years ago and I've just received his Linhof Technika camera, lenses and various filters, etc., which I think is a late-model III (although parts look like a model IV). Some years ago, I took a course locally in large format cameras and have used one, on and off, when I'm not traveling with my old Hasselblad. So, in a sense, I know a bit about large format cameras, but realize that this Linhof model is complicated, particularly without an instruction book (which I hope to acquire).

 

There was a Linhof certificate (no date) with the camera, but honestly, I don't know if it belongs to this camera. It states that the camera is a Technika III E 4x5, and that the serial number is 55294. The number on the camera's accessory shoe is 72865 and there is no number beneath it (I looked). My father-in-law was a professional photographer in a hospital and he may have modified his personal camera (which I now have) and the certificate may belong to a camera that he used at work. There is no way I can check that! Anyway, there is no number under the accessory shoe on this camera, none at all, and I have not been able to find another location for a number.

 

If this is a model III E, does anyone happen to know if the serial number might have been put somewhere else. Any suggestions?

 

With thanks

Peter Gale

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Thanks Bob. The 72865 number (on the shoe mount) makes more sense date-wise, and is probably the correct number. The certificate may have just been something kept from sometime earlier.

 

Each lens that came along with the camera when I received it (Linhof/S-K 90mm and 150mm) are on their own boards.

I just met a local person who has used Linhof cameras for many years, so I'll get him to help me so I don't damage anything that's just stiff from a lack of used, or whatever. Right now, the camera seems quite sticky and that may be from a lack of any recent use. Other details I am now seeing suggest that it's a Technica IV, but I'll wait a bit before trying things.

In the meantime, thanks again.

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  • 10 months later...

<p>Hi Bob, Brian et al<br>

I just registered here after having "just read" posts for some years. I am on the point of seriously getting into (second attempt) large format photography as a tool and method. I work primarily with photography as a part of artistic processes (performative, conceptual, sculptural) and as a way of communicating ephemeral qualities and/or for a communication directed to more then the chance encounter with my "physical matter". However... I was interested in something lightweight, rugged and yet quite technical — thus I became very interested in the Horseman 45FA and some other similar cameras. In my search for this I came a across a Linhof Technika III with the serial number 23297 for a considerably lower sum then any package I could manage to scrape together scavenging local shops, ebay etc. I have also attached an image of the camera/kit.<img src="http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5756/0049.gif" alt="" /></p>

<ul>

<li>Is my research correct in that this is a version 1 produced somewhere in between 1946 and 1950?</li>

<li>It says it's 9x12cm, but I learned that this was only a different set of films and film holder and that the camera itself was identical to a 4x5" of the same version — is this true?</li>

<li>If it is a III v.1, does this hold many disadvantages from the later versions? and is the step between III v.1 and IV considerably larger then the step between III v.5 and IV?</li>

<li>Would I be much at disadvantage in having the older Linhof in relation to buying a more "modern" rugged field camera like Horseman 45FA, Toyo 45AII, Wista 45SP etc.? My (very limited) previous experience is with a Speed Graphic and then much more extensive experience with MF like Mamiya RZ67 PRO II, Hasselblad 503C/W. I have understood that it is a kilo or so heavier then i.e. the Horseman and that it should indeed have a finer precision than most of these? Other comments or warnings concerning older (III) technikas? I am planing to shot both 4x5, 6x9/6x12 roll film. Does the serial number I provided (III v.1?) have a graflok/internation back usable with i.e. the Horseman 6x12 roll film back?</li>

</ul>

<p><em>Sorry for the massive amount of questions, and I am of course more then happy for any clarity in the matter!</em><br>

Thanks,<br>

Niklas</p>

 

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