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LINHOF TECHNIKA III, IV,
V |
| The illustrations on this page are to help identify the 2 supported versions of the Technika V. Not all our supported parts are shown here, so if your camera looks a little different from what you see here, just contact us. Note: We do not have (and we don't recommend) any material that is close to the original in color or texture. (Yuck!) |
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Update
August 2007 We support the Technika V, and some versions of the IV, as well as the Technika III, version 5. If you're in doubt, send us photos! There are several things to look for on your camera to determine if you have the middle or late version. And within versions there may also be differences. The first is the presence (or the lack) of 4 small pieces. In the photo at left, notice the small, recession at the corner, in the center of the picture. You can also see its twin, on the top right corner. The black leather that should be applied to these locations has been removed to help show them off. Cameras that use these 4 pieces take a slightly different leather kit. Also, we would like to know how long the 2 long, thin pieces are on the bottom. They will be 117 to 125 millimeters long. Please measure them at their longest tips. A full cover kit on a Technika V (without accessories) is made of 34 pieces! |
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Some variations are shown with the magenta
pointers. This blue diagram shows the later body, and the rangefinder
parts that can be found on both versions. 1) Hole for the Focuspot. On the Technika IV, this piece may be quite different; it's not pictured here, but is identified easily because it does not fully wrap around the Focuspot. We only support the version shown here, but we can provide extra material at no charge, so the camera owner can cut this piece himself. We hope to have the correct Focuspot leather for the IV soon! 2) The sideboards of the front standard can have either a flat bottom (typically on the IV), or a tapered bottom (typically on the V.). 3) Some bodies have a small cutaway at this point on the sliding lock, to make room for the release lock. |
| The alternate kit, shown here in dark
red, is identified by the lack of the small cutaway, number 3
in the diagram above. This kit also has the four small corner
pieces, the number
4 variation shown here. Both
versions of the camera can have these pieces, but as far as I know they
are always on this earlier
version. It's important to identify which camera you have. It may appear that the parts are identical except for our 4 options, but there are small differences in many of the other parts, too. |
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| The
Linhof cameras are beautifully made, but this is not reflected in the
drab tan factory covering. The casting impressions created to
hold each piece of the covering are shallow,
and this will limit what choice of materials will
recover successfully. The Seal Grain leatherettes are thin enough
to be well seated within these areas, while many thicker leathers are
likely to show at least some exposed edges. |
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| Specifically, we suggest the coarse textured Seal Grain Black leatherette, (shown above) and the full kit is just $48 plus shipping. The "coarse" material has a random, "non directional" grain . . . no matter how it is positioned, the texture always looks consistent over the entire camera. Other materials with a non-directional grain are the VH Black leatherette, and the Griptac black and grey. On a 35mm camera, and even most TLR's, there is a logical horizontal or vertical design, amenable to a particular orientation of texture. On these cameras, a properly cut covering with "directional grain" will show a pleasing "wrap around" effect. Most of our materials have some "direction" or pattern that runs along an axis, and they will always show edges that will "clash" on a camera like the Linhof, with leather all around. |