Linhof Cameras: Still In Production Or A Thing Of Past?

Linhof is a German company that was founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. It is the oldest camera manufacturer in the world that is still producing cameras. Linhof initially focused on making camera shutters and developing the first leaf shutter, which became part of Compur. The company is known for making premium rollfilm and large-format film cameras. Linhof cameras are frequently awarded for their quality, including Gold Medals at the Paris Exhibition and Triennale in Milan. Revised models of the Technika, the world's first all-metal folding field camera, are still in production. The company continues to innovate, with the recent introduction of the Technorama 617 S III with interchangeable lenses.

Linhof camera history

Linhof is a German company founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. The company initially focused on making camera shutters and developing the first leaf shutter, which became part of Compur. Linhof is well-known for making premium rollfilm and large-format film cameras.

The first Technika model, the world's first all-metal folding field camera, was designed by Nikolaus Karpf in 1934, the same year he entered the company. Revised models of the Technika are still in production, and the company is the oldest still-producing camera manufacturer in the world.

1910: 6x9 Kamera, Ganzmetall

1911: Stereo-Panorama Kamera

1939: Technika, Prospekt

1962: Goldene Technika 6x9

1964: Kardan Color 9x12

1966: Weitwinkelkamera

1966: Technika 13x18

1968: Linhof Kardan Bi

1972: Super Technika V 9x12

1974-1982: Kardan Standard

1975: Kardan Super Color

1976: Technorama 617

1986: Kardan Master GTL

1986-2010: Kardan GT 8x10

1990: Master Technika

1994: Master Technika 2000

2007: Master Technika 3000

2012: Master Technika "Snow"

Linhof camera models

Linhof is a German camera company founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. They are known for making premium rollfilm and large-format film cameras. Over the years, they have released a variety of camera models, including:

• The Linhof Ur-Technika (1934): The world's first all-metal folding field camera with adjustable front and rear standards, designed by Nikolaus Karpf.
• Technika III: Available with or without RF.
• Super Technika IV: A later version of the Technika IV is also mentioned.
• Technika 70 (1962): Also referred to as the Studienkamera 70.
• Super Technika V = Super Technika 23: One source mentions this as a later version of the Super Technika V, while another refers to it as a separate model.
• Technika II (1937–1943)
• Technika 34 (1934–1936)
• Technika Medizin (1937–1943)
• Standard Press
• Master Technika = Master Technika Classic (1972): Later versions of this model include the Master Technika 2000 (March 1995) and the Master Technika 3000 (2006).
• Technikardan 45
• TechniKardan 45S
• TechniKardan 23
• TechniKardan 23S
• Präzisionskamera 18x24 (Technika) (1937–1943): Only 10 items were made.
• Präzisionskamera 18x24 (Technika "Medizin" in grey): Only 1 item was made, for famous German photographers Adolf Lazi and Franz Lazi.
• Kardan (1974)
• Technikardan 45 (1984)
• Kardan GT (1986)
• Kardan Master GTL (1986)
• Kardan GTI (1990)
• Technikardan 45S (April 1993)
• Techno (2008)
• Technika Press (1956)
• Weitwinkelkamera 65
• Technika Press 70 (1963)
• Technar 45 (4x5") (1978)
• Technorama 612PC III (Prototype only, presented at 1996 Photokina)
• Technorama 617 (1976)
• Aerotronica 69 (6x9) (1983)
• Aero Technika (4x5")
• Aero Technika 45 (4x5")
• Aero Technika 45EL (4x5")
• Quadrophot (4x5-inch police mugshot camera, 1980s)

Linhof has also released various camera accessories, such as the Adapter 617 International Back / Graflok, which allows for panorama format 6×17 cm photography.

Linhof camera features

Linhof is a German camera company founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. It is the oldest camera manufacturer still in production. Linhof cameras are known for their precision engineering, durability, and ability to produce images that stand the test of time.

Linhof cameras offer a range of features for professional photographers, including:

• Precision engineering: Linhof cameras are known for their precision engineering, with high added value. This includes features such as self-aligning focusing, which is operated via the camera bellows extension rather than the lens, enabling large extensions up to 240mm. This makes it suitable for a range of focal lenses, from extreme short to longer focal lengths.
• Digital and analog compatibility: Linhof cameras are compatible with both digital and analog backs, allowing users to select their preferred digital system. This includes the ability to adapt all currently available digital backs and accommodate future generations of chip backs.
• Adjustability: Linhof cameras offer a wide range of practical adjustment facilities, including vertical and horizontal parallel shift, and vertical and backward tilt. This makes them suitable for a range of photography styles, from landscapes to close-ups and architectural photography.
• Ergonomic design: All operating elements on Linhof cameras are ergonomically placed, with scales showing millimeters and degrees that allow for exact control of adjustments.
• Wide-angle efficiency: Linhof cameras feature a lift-up flap on the top of the camera housing, which increases wide-angle efficiency. They also offer special wide-angle bellows for extremely easy adjustments.
• Rangefinder focusing: The Linhof Master Technika "Classic" is a large-format system that includes a built-in couple-able precision long-base dichroic rangefinder for handheld rangefinder-focused action shots. The rangefinder can be coupled to focal lengths ranging from 75mm to 360mm.
• Durability: Linhof cameras are known for their durability, with sturdy die-cast bodies that close to compact dimensions.

Linhof camera uses

Linhof is a German company founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. The company is well-known for making premium rollfilm and large-format film cameras. Linhof cameras are used for professional photography, with their precision engineering and high added value. The cameras are durable and designed to produce images that stand the test of time.

Linhof initially focused on manufacturing camera shutters and developing the first leaf shutter, which later became part of Compur. The company's historical high point is in producing luxury field cameras, which are meant for field photography and are more portable than monorail cameras.

Linhof cameras offer a range of movements, such as shift, tilt, and Scheimpflug, which can be useful for photographing architecture without distorting perspectives or altering the depth of field for portraiture. The Technorama 617s III, for example, allows photographers to take pictures in a panorama format of 6x17 cm on rollfilm.

The company's commitment to craftsmanship is evident in its emphasis on precision and ruggedness. Linhof cameras are known for their high-quality standards, with tools and measuring instruments that are thoroughly tested and kept at steady temperatures to ensure utmost exactness in production.

Linhof's camera systems include both high-end digital and analog options, catering to photographers' preferences and specific requirements. The company has a long history of innovation, combining traditional techniques with new technologies to meet the evolving needs of photographers.

Linhof camera competitors

Linhof is a German company founded in Munich in 1887 by Valentin Linhof. It is the oldest still-producing camera manufacturer in the world. The company is well-known for making premium roll film and large format film cameras.

Some of Linhof's competitors include:

• Arca-Swiss: The Arca-Swiss F-Universalis is a competitor to Linhof's Techno camera. The F-Universalis is more flexible as it can be used with both DSLRs and digital backs. However, the Linhof Techno wins on the more compact form factor and has gearing and degree markers on both tilt and swing.
• Alpa: Alpa is another competitor to Linhof, particularly in the pancake camera space.
• Cambo: Cambo Actus is a competitor to Linhof, especially in the digital field view camera category.
• Sinar: Sinar is a competitor to Linhof in the studio-based view cameras space.
• Rollei: The Rollei X-Act 2 is a competitor to Linhof in the studio-based view cameras space.
• Toyo: The Toyo VX23D is a competitor to Linhof in the digital field view cameras space.

Frequently asked questions