newbie linhof questions

Aging is NOT for the weak. For years I've wanted to do two things ...
flyfish and photograph with a 4x5 monorail camera. As I slide slowly
and surely towards 60 I decided THIS was the year to do both. I'm
afraid that I may be putting too much strain on my few remaining
brain cells.

Since 1970 I have worked as photographer, camera salesman and teacher.
I realized I would have to acquire more thorough knowledge of swings.
tilts, etc. before I could claim to be a large format photographer.
However ... I have a few isues to get striaght in my head before I can
get started. I'm hoping that experienced Linhof users can give me
advice or direct me to some useful resources.

I acquired the camera from a retiring scientist who was not a
photographer. The camera and lens had been modified and mounted
vertically to photograph a CRT. The kit had been in storage for 16
years so the owner was vague about the modifications and I think some
orgiginal parts are missing.
I want to use the camera in the field this winter for a B+W art project
and future use would include portraits, landscapes and a small amout of
product work.

The owner described the camera as a Linhof-Karden Color-S 45. I have
researched this camera online and came up with two very different
models. A number of sites state the Color-S 45 has limited movements
and that the front slides along the monorail rather than be gear
driven. One photo showed a cream-coloured front that looked more like
the front from a folding camera. The
camera I have has identical front and back, both of which elevate,
swing, tilt and shift. The front and backs are black, not cream. and
are identical. They are both gear driven. The gear mechanism is cream
coloured, as are the controls for elevation and the bottom parts which
are adjusted for shift. There is no engraving anyplace for degrees of
shift, tilt or elevation. The only markings are inside the large
gear-drive dials ... a Linhof coat of arms and "West Germany"..

So is this a Linhof-Karden Color-S 45?

Now my real problems ...

According to what I have read the monorail should be two pieces and
should be 15, 16 or 18 inches.
My camera has a single-piece chrome monorail with notched gears on the
bottom. It is 28 inches long and has an elaborate two section vertical
mount.

Between the front and back monorail drive mechanisms there should be a
tripod mount which can move the length of the rail via a smaller dial
which tightens the mount on the rail. It should be the same cream
colour and have the same markings as the drive dials. I have read that
this part can be placed behind the rear rail drive to accomdate certain
lenses.I am missing this part.

The back is labelled Linhof and mounts easily via spring clip on the
top. (Similar clips hold the bellows in place). There was no glass in
this back but I took a grid glass from a Graflex back and mounted in
the Linhof back. This glass has the corners cut off at 45 degrees and
is labelled "Swiss Made". Inside the back is a large circle which may
accept some sort of back rotaion device ala RB67 or may just be there
for added strength.

I have a Polaroid 545 Pack Back and a Grafmatic 1268 six-sheet holder,
both of which fit behind the ground glass easily.

I have an unmarked lens board 6 3/8" square with a slightly recessed 3
3/8" hole which is offset on the board by 3/8". The side of the board
with the smallest offset to the hole has an 1 1/2" silver plate mounted
at 45 degrees via to screws through short slots. One end of the plate
is a 90 degree offset to the front and by pulling on this the plate
moves about 1/4' to the side and slides up slightly because of short
slots. Opposite on the hole are two small silver buttons spaced almost
to the extreme width of the hole and about a quarter inch below it.
Centred at the same edge of the hole is a very small pin.

The lens I acquired initially looked like a great deal but after some
research I fear I may have only part of it. The lens is a Zeiss Tessar
3.5 100mm #4239990. The front elements easily unthreads from a large
unit with a chrome front labelled Synchro-Compur. This contains the
shutter/diaphragm but also has at least one element. It has avery
heavy custom chromed steel and brass mount behind the shutter about an
inch and a half deep with a 3" flange which has 3 grooves that look
like screws were tightened through them to attach them.

I hadn't realized this post would be so long ... sorry.

Now to my questions.

ONE: I live in Canada. Daymen lists Linhof on their webpage but the
link goes nowhere. I have seen Kindermann Canada listed as the Linhof
importer but their page does not mention Linhof. Does anyone know the
Canadian distributer?

TWO: I would like to acquire a proper used monorail and tripod mount.
Any suggestions where to look. (nothing on e-bay) Barring that ... I
could have the larger rail cut down. What should be the length?. The
custom mount has a large steel collar sweated on to it. I could have
this tapped for a tripod thread and resweated further along the rail.
Is having a fixed tripod mount a problem? Where would be the best place
on the rail to have a fixed mount set?

THREE: Is this glass going to work in the back or do I need a Linhof
glass? If so ... what do I look for? I'd like to have about six single
sheet backs. Anything special that I need? Also ... is sharpness loss
a problem with a multi back? Does the film line up properly with only
three packs loaded? Is their a rotation device that fits between back
and colour. Is a hood or a cloth the better way to go?

FOUR: I'm having a real problem sorting out lens boards. I now
understand that different focal lengths require a different Copal #s
and that some cameras require slightly offset holes. I have seen the
device I have listed as a Technecia (?) adaptor that allows other
boards to be used on a Linhof.
Do all Linhoff boads fit this camera? When would I need a recessed
board? I've been told that the board actually fits between sections of
the lens ... is that correct? Basically ... what do I need to mount a
lens and how is it mounted?

FIVE: Is this the right lens for this camera? The lenses I've seen
listed on e-bay are either 90mm or 105mm. Is this 100 Tessar designed
for a special application? When I remove the heavy custom made mount
from the rear the back of the assembly looks unfinished. The numbers
"1304" and "906" are printed on the housing back. The circular ring
that works the diaphragm is exposed and looks a little vulnerable.
There is a 4mm white nylon bushing that lays on the aperature ring and
stands off the heavy metal mount assembly. Does it sound like I have
all of the lens or is a back part missing? Assuming the lens is intact
how would I mount it to a lens board? If I put the lens on the front of
a board and then thread a ring on from the back I'm afraid the the
aperature controll ring would be held too tight againt the lens board
and be danaged. Any thoughts?

I really apologize for the length of this post but these questions are
stumping me. Rather than tie up group space please feel free to email
me at .

Thanks to all.

EA Smith

The Canadian Linhof Distributor is Blazes Photographic in Toronto. They
can answer all of your questions.

The kardan Color 45S had a one piece rail the Kardan Color had a two
piece rail.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

wrote in message
oups.com...

FIVE: Is this the right lens for this camera? The lenses I've seen
listed on e-bay are either 90mm or 105mm. Is this 100 Tessar designed
for a special application?


A "wrong" lens is one with an insufficient image circle
or a focal length that is *physically* incompatible
with the camera's focusing mechanics.

90 mm would be considered a "moderate wide angle"
for a 4x5 view camera. The "normal" focal length for
a 4x5" frame is approximately 150 mm.

The image-circle issue should be easily resolved
from the image on the ground glass or from an
exposed sheet of film. If it's too small you'll see
serious vignetting at the corners. A certain amount
of light falloff (in the corners) can also be expected
from wide-angle lenses in general.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

wrote in message
oups.com...
[SNIP]

The lens I acquired initially looked like a great deal but after some
research I fear I may have only part of it. The lens is a Zeiss Tessar
3.5 100mm #4239990. The front elements easily unthreads from a large
unit with a chrome front labelled Synchro-Compur. This contains the
shutter/diaphragm but also has at least one element. It has avery
heavy custom chromed steel and brass mount behind the shutter about an
inch and a half deep with a 3" flange which has 3 grooves that look
like screws were tightened through them to attach them.

[SNIP]

FIVE: Is this the right lens for this camera? The lenses I've seen
listed on e-bay are either 90mm or 105mm. Is this 100 Tessar designed
for a special application? When I remove the heavy custom made mount
from the rear the back of the assembly looks unfinished. The numbers
"1304" and "906" are printed on the housing back. The circular ring
that works the diaphragm is exposed and looks a little vulnerable.
There is a 4mm white nylon bushing that lays on the aperature ring and
stands off the heavy metal mount assembly. Does it sound like I have
all of the lens or is a back part missing? Assuming the lens is intact
how would I mount it to a lens board? If I put the lens on the front of
a board and then thread a ring on from the back I'm afraid the the
aperature controll ring would be held too tight againt the lens board
and be danaged. Any thoughts?


I'm not a Linhof expert, so others must answer your other questions.

From what you say, it doesn't sound as if anything is missng from the lens.
The aperture control mechanism is usually somewhat exposed at the back of a
Synchro-Compur shutter, and when the shutter is mounted to a lensboard (a
retaining ring screws onto the threaded portion at the back of the lens) it
seats on a small 'step' so the aperture remains free to move.

Post a link to a photograph if you are still unsure and need confirmation.

There are 105mm lenses that cover 4x5" at infinity, but I'm not sure if the
Tessar will quite: there may be vignetting at the corners. If it does
cover, it may only be sharp to the corners when stopped down a bit, since
Tessars sharpen significantly at the edges of their fields as they are
stopped down. 105mm is often seen as the 'standard' lens for the 6x9 (cm)
format, and your lens may have been designed for that - but even if so it is
possible that it will cover 4x5, especially when stopped down. There
certainly are 105mm Tessar designs that do cover 4x5 - the Rodenstock Ysaron
/ Ysarex for example.

Once you've mounted the lens, focus it at infinity and just look through the
corners of the GG to see if you can see 'most of' the aperture. If you can
see all of the aperture opening when the lens is stopped down to f8 or so,
you can certainly regard it as usable. A Polaroid shot will confirm. Then
you can experiment to see how much rise and tilt movement it will allow you.

A 6x9 roll-film back (assuming your camera takes one) might be worth playing
with: it'll let you experiment with using movements etc. for a lot less than
the cost of doing all your learning with sheet film, and can be a useful
thing to have anyway.



Peter

Way too long winded.

Show us a picture.

Bandicoot spake thus:

There are 105mm lenses that cover 4x5" at infinity, but I'm not sure if the
Tessar will quite: there may be vignetting at the corners. If it does
cover, it may only be sharp to the corners when stopped down a bit, since
Tessars sharpen significantly at the edges of their fields as they are
stopped down.

I've tried a 105 Tessar (CJZ) with 9x12, and I can tell you it covers
that format corner-to-corner with no problems, so I imagine 4x5 would
also work well.


--
Just as McDonald's is where you go when you're hungry but don't really
care about the quality of your food, Wikipedia is where you go when
you're curious but don't really care about the quality of your knowledge.

- Matthew White's WikiWatch (http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

wrote in message
oups.com...

The lens I acquired initially looked like a great deal but
after some
research I fear I may have only part of it. The lens is a
Zeiss Tessar
3.5 100mm #4239990. The front elements easily unthreads
from a large
unit with a chrome front labelled Synchro-Compur. This
contains the
shutter/diaphragm but also has at least one element. It
has avery
heavy custom chromed steel and brass mount behind the
shutter about an
inch and a half deep with a 3" flange which has 3 grooves
that look
like screws were tightened through them to attach them.

FOUR: I'm having a real problem sorting out lens boards. I
now
understand that different focal lengths require a
different Copal #s
and that some cameras require slightly offset holes. I
have seen the
device I have listed as a Technecia (?) adaptor that
allows other
boards to be used on a Linhof.
Do all Linhoff boads fit this camera? When would I need a
recessed
board? I've been told that the board actually fits between
sections of
the lens ... is that correct? Basically ... what do I need
to mount a
lens and how is it mounted?

FIVE: Is this the right lens for this camera? The lenses
I've seen
listed on e-bay are either 90mm or 105mm. Is this 100
Tessar designed
for a special application? When I remove the heavy custom
made mount
from the rear the back of the assembly looks unfinished.
The numbers
"1304" and "906" are printed on the housing back. The
circular ring
that works the diaphragm is exposed and looks a little
vulnerable.
There is a 4mm white nylon bushing that lays on the
aperature ring and
stands off the heavy metal mount assembly. Does it sound
like I have
all of the lens or is a back part missing? Assuming the
lens is intact
how would I mount it to a lens board? If I put the lens on
the front of
a board and then thread a ring on from the back I'm
afraid the the
aperature controll ring would be held too tight againt the
lens board
and be danaged. Any thoughts?

I really apologize for the length of this post but these
questions are
stumping me. Rather than tie up group space please feel
free to email
me at .

Thanks to all.

EA Smith

I snipped some of this because I want to address the lens
only. You got good advice from Bob Salomon, who is the US
distributor for Linhof.
I am assuming this is a 4x5 or perhaps 9x12cm camera. The
100mm Tessar will not cover this format at infinity focus,
Tessars are simply not wide angle lenses. While it might
illuminate the format to the corners the image quality will
not be good.
"Normal" focal length for a format is approximately the
diagonal, for 4x5 is is 152mm (remember the film is smallar
than the "nominal" format size). A 100 or 105mm Tessar is
about right for a 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 film. Since the camera was
being used for very close up work the short focal length
lens was probably suitable. At unity magnification (equal
image and object distances) a lens will cover an image
circle twice the size of the infinity circle. For general
photography you need a different lens.
The Tessar should have two cells, one on the front of the
shutter and one on the back.
Compur is the trade name of a very common shutter. Copal
is a newer shutter make. Shutters are usually mounted on one
of two ways. One way is the use of a flange. This is a part
which is mounted to the front of the lens board with screws
around the periphery and the shutter screws into it.
Sometimes shutters are mounted using a retaining ring. In
this case the shutter barrel fits through a hole in the lens
board and is held in place by a threaded ring at the back.
Very often the flange can also be used as a retaining ring.
The hole size in the lens board is whatever is suitable
for the flange or shutter barrel. Generally the hole is not
critical as long as the flange or barrel clears. Typically
wooden lens boards employ flanges and metal lens boards use
retaining rings or flanges on the back. The required hole
size is available on several web sites.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

On Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:31:35 -0500, wrote:

Aging is NOT for the weak. For years I've wanted to do two things ...
flyfish and photograph with a 4x5 monorail camera.


I've always wanted to do those things

Dad said that he would lend me the car if I came down.
If I arrive Saturday the 24th, there are 2 flights that are direct.

There are several connecting flights, but that means turning it into a 6
hour airport adventure. Otherwise it is an hour and fifteen minutes
flight.

one arrives at 8:45 and the other at 5:10

I haven't checked the Sunday flights, but they are probably not too
different.

As I slide slowly
and surely towards 60 I decided THIS was the year to do both. I'm
afraid that I may be putting too much strain on my few remaining
brain cells.

Since 1970 I have worked as photographer, camera salesman and teacher.
I realized I would have to acquire more thorough knowledge of swings.
tilts, etc. before I could claim to be a large format photographer.
However ... I have a few isues to get striaght in my head before I can
get started. I'm hoping that experienced Linhof users can give me
advice or direct me to some useful resources.

I acquired the camera from a retiring scientist who was not a
photographer. The camera and lens had been modified and mounted
vertically to photograph a CRT. The kit had been in storage for 16
years so the owner was vague about the modifications and I think some
orgiginal parts are missing.
I want to use the camera in the field this winter for a B+W art project
and future use would include portraits, landscapes and a small amout of
product work.

The owner described the camera as a Linhof-Karden Color-S 45. I have
researched this camera online and came up with two very different
models. A number of sites state the Color-S 45 has limited movements
and that the front slides along the monorail rather than be gear
driven. One photo showed a cream-coloured front that looked more like
the front from a folding camera. The
camera I have has identical front and back, both of which elevate,
swing, tilt and shift. The front and backs are black, not cream. and
are identical. They are both gear driven. The gear mechanism is cream
coloured, as are the controls for elevation and the bottom parts which
are adjusted for shift. There is no engraving anyplace for degrees of
shift, tilt or elevation. The only markings are inside the large
gear-drive dials ... a Linhof coat of arms and "West Germany"..

So is this a Linhof-Karden Color-S 45?

Now my real problems ...

According to what I have read the monorail should be two pieces and
should be 15, 16 or 18 inches.
My camera has a single-piece chrome monorail with notched gears on the
bottom. It is 28 inches long and has an elaborate two section vertical
mount.

Between the front and back monorail drive mechanisms there should be a
tripod mount which can move the length of the rail via a smaller dial
which tightens the mount on the rail. It should be the same cream
colour and have the same markings as the drive dials. I have read that
this part can be placed behind the rear rail drive to accomdate certain
lenses.I am missing this part.

The back is labelled Linhof and mounts easily via spring clip on the
top. (Similar clips hold the bellows in place). There was no glass in
this back but I took a grid glass from a Graflex back and mounted in
the Linhof back. This glass has the corners cut off at 45 degrees and
is labelled "Swiss Made". Inside the back is a large circle which may
accept some sort of back rotaion device ala RB67 or may just be there
for added strength.

I have a Polaroid 545 Pack Back and a Grafmatic 1268 six-sheet holder,
both of which fit behind the ground glass easily.

I have an unmarked lens board 6 3/8" square with a slightly recessed 3
3/8" hole which is offset on the board by 3/8". The side of the board
with the smallest offset to the hole has an 1 1/2" silver plate mounted
at 45 degrees via to screws through short slots. One end of the plate
is a 90 degree offset to the front and by pulling on this the plate
moves about 1/4' to the side and slides up slightly because of short
slots. Opposite on the hole are two small silver buttons spaced almost
to the extreme width of the hole and about a quarter inch below it.
Centred at the same edge of the hole is a very small pin.

The lens I acquired initially looked like a great deal but after some
research I fear I may have only part of it. The lens is a Zeiss Tessar
3.5 100mm #4239990. The front elements easily unthreads from a large
unit with a chrome front labelled Synchro-Compur. This contains the
shutter/diaphragm but also has at least one element. It has avery
heavy custom chromed steel and brass mount behind the shutter about an
inch and a half deep with a 3" flange which has 3 grooves that look
like screws were tightened through them to attach them.

I hadn't realized this post would be so long ... sorry.

Now to my questions.

ONE: I live in Canada. Daymen lists Linhof on their webpage but the
link goes nowhere. I have seen Kindermann Canada listed as the Linhof
importer but their page does not mention Linhof. Does anyone know the
Canadian distributer?

TWO: I would like to acquire a proper used monorail and tripod mount.
Any suggestions where to look. (nothing on e-bay) Barring that ... I
could have the larger rail cut down. What should be the length?. The
custom mount has a large steel collar sweated on to it. I could have
this tapped for a tripod thread and resweated further along the rail.
Is having a fixed tripod mount a problem? Where would be the best place
on the rail to have a fixed mount set?

THREE: Is this glass going to work in the back or do I need a Linhof
glass? If so ... what do I look for? I'd like to have about six single
sheet backs. Anything special that I need? Also ... is sharpness loss
a problem with a multi back? Does the film line up properly with only
three packs loaded? Is their a rotation device that fits between back
and colour. Is a hood or a cloth the better way to go?

FOUR: I'm having a real problem sorting out lens boards. I now
understand that different focal lengths require a different Copal #s
and that some cameras require slightly offset holes. I have seen the
device I have listed as a Technecia (?) adaptor that allows other
boards to be used on a Linhof.
Do all Linhoff boads fit this camera? When would I need a recessed
board? I've been told that the board actually fits between sections of
the lens ... is that correct? Basically ... what do I need to mount a
lens and how is it mounted?

FIVE: Is this the right lens for this camera? The lenses I've seen
listed on e-bay are either 90mm or 105mm. Is this 100 Tessar designed
for a special application? When I remove the heavy custom made mount
from the rear the back of the assembly looks unfinished. The numbers
"1304" and "906" are printed on the housing back. The circular ring
that works the diaphragm is exposed and looks a little vulnerable.
There is a 4mm white nylon bushing that lays on the aperature ring and
stands off the heavy metal mount assembly. Does it sound like I have
all of the lens or is a back part missing? Assuming the lens is intact
how would I mount it to a lens board? If I put the lens on the front of
a board and then thread a ring on from the back I'm afraid the the
aperature controll ring would be held too tight againt the lens board
and be danaged. Any thoughts?

I really apologize for the length of this post but these questions are
stumping me. Rather than tie up group space please feel free to email
me at .

Thanks to all.

EA Smith