Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2200.00 from Gasser Photo

Summary:
A terrific camera, solid and precision built, that is (relatively) compact (6.6 lbs)for fieldwork with all the features of a studio camera. Really a joy to work with if you are looking for an instrument that supports a contemplative photographic experience. A (professional landscape photographer)friend of mine with over thirty years experience using a 4X5 says the Technikardan is the camera he dreams about owning some day. I'm lucky to have one.

Strengths:
Size, quality, solid feel, accurate, precise, ease of use.

Weaknesses:
Set-up and tear-down of the camera requires patience and attention to detail. The bellows is not protected, unlike Linhof's other field cameras. I recommend investing in a custom case for it. I bought a Gnassgear case for the camera and my lenses. Works great!

Similar Products Used:
I spent about a year looking at other cameras before I bought the Technikardan and never found anything I preferred.

Customer Service:
Never needed any.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $2200.00 from Ken Mar Camera

Summary:
An unusual, but well made, camera that I found difficult to use

Strengths:
Beautifully made, extensive movements front and rear, long bellows, reasonably compact when folded

Weaknesses:
I (and others) found it dfficult to fold the camera without wrinkling the bellows (replacement bellows cost $500+); the four levers that lock and unlock focus and some of the movements are in a strange criss cross pattern and function in opposite directions on opposite sides of the camera, making it confusing to operate when under the dark cloth; no geared focus or movements; the camera is fully exposed (i.e. no "clam shell" design) when folded, making it vulnerable to damage when being shipped or transported

Similar Products Used:
Linhof Technika V; Tachihara; Agfa Ansco 5x7; Deardorff 8x10

Customer Service:
Marflex, the authorized Linhof repair facility, is excellent

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Price Paid:  $2995.00 from BHPhoto

Summary:
I rarely walk more than 1/4 mile from car, so backpacking advantage of Master Technika is outweighed by center axis lens tilt available only with TK 45 and greater extension of Technikardan (485 mm) compared to Master Technika (360 mm)

Strengths:
7.5 lb weight is bearable; collapsible to book size in about a 30 seconds to one minute; 485 mm maximum extension allows use of 210 mm G-Claron to double as landscape lens focussed at infinity when extended 210 mm and as closeup 1:1 lens with 420 mm extension; small lens board (96 x 99 mm) allows lens storage in pockets of Zone VI camera bag; center axis lens tilt eases focussing; degree markings ease attainment of parallel front and rear planes, and transfer of front lens tilt to rear; lens tilt independent of lens rise; scale on monorail eases calculation of extra exposure needed when lens is extended beyond infinity; camera reportedly more stable than many wood cameras; better suited than Master Technika for closeup photography

Weaknesses:
Requires wide angle bellows for lens of 115 mm focal length or less, unike Master Technika; bellows remains exposed to abrasion even when camera is folded; not as compact or as light as Master Technika

Similar Products Used:
Toyo 4 x 5 rental

Customer Service:
I am very pleased with customer service of US Distributor HP Marketing; its Linhof product representative Bob Salomon is only product representative that regularly posts information on web about camera and corrects any misunderstandings about Linhof cameras

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Model Reviewed:
TECHNIKARDAN 4x5

Summary:
If you're looking for a field camera without the usual movement limitations, and you want a precision instrument, this is the camera you want!

Strengths:
The Technikardan offers monorail movements in a compact field camera format.
Silky smooth movements!
Quality workmanship!
A Pleasure to use!

Weaknesses:
Bellows is unprotected when folded up

Similar Products Used:
Toyo 45AII
Wisner 4x5 Technical

Customer Service:
not needed yet