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LINHOF TECHNIKA III, IV, V     4X5


We support most 4X5 versions of the Technika III, IV and V. At this time we do not support any of the 6X9 or 5X7 cameras. To be sure your camera is supported and your kit is cut correctly, please read this page fully, and send us photos of your Linhof.

On this page, you will see the Linhof IV and V. Owners of the Linhof III Series will still find this page informative, but we will depend on photos of your III to guide us in cutting your kit.

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.

There are more things that should be noted and measured. Please read on . . .











Some variations are shown here 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. This piece may look different on your IV. It may not wrap around the Focuspot fully. We don't fully support this piece, but we will provide extra material for you to cut it yourself.
2) The side boards of the front standard may have flat or tapered bottoms.
3) Some bodies have a small cutaway here for the release on the sliding lock.








An 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.

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. Thicker leathers are likely to show at least some exposed edges.


An important set of measurements are shown above. The 2 long thin pieces on the bottom of the IV and V should BOTH be measured. The "long" piece on some cameras is almost the same as the "short" piece on others, and this has been a source of confusion and cutting errors. Please let us know how long EACH piece is. A full cover kit on a Technika V (without accessories) is made of 34 pieces!

we suggest several materials . . the coarse textured Seal Grain Black leatherette, (shown above) 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.



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