Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/09/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The modern techcam is basically just a metal frame. You put large format lens in front and a digital back in back. The lens usually goes with a Copal Shutter and you need a viewfinder to frame your shots. (Alpa and others still accept film back, but almost no one bothers) To focus, either you guesstimate or use LV on an expensive new digital back, or use a laser rangefinder and then translates the distance to the lens helical focus mount. You can also use ground glass but the high end lens often means that the GG is not precise enough. No automation of any kind. Some "camera" has shift and rise/fall. Some even have tilts. Some rely on the T/S in the lens mechanism. It's the logical descendant of the 4x5. If you are used to buying new Leica lens circa 2010's, then the techcam lens prices would not be too much of a shock. For the pleasure of using a finely machined metal frame with extremely high tolerance, the "camera" goes for at least $2000+ for a low end, to $6000-$7000. This is before viewfinder, lens, grips, etc. On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 9:00 PM, Mark Rabiner <mark at rabinergroup.com> wrote: > A technical camera is a Speed Graphic made in Europe. > :) > But kinda true. > When people think technical camera they think hand holding sheet film. > But maybe with a roll back. > And a few oddly configured swings tilts and shifts you and check on the > groundglass in tripod mode. > Big Money. > Linhof and Alpa. > We think Leicas are expensive but a Linhof lens cap cost as much as a pre > ASPH Summicron. > > There is a new meaning now being used on the term " technical camera" and > those are camera you'd use with a medium format digital back with highly > geared ultra precise movements. And you cant even shoot 4x5 sheet film with > them. As that would point to the fact that this can already be done with a > 4x5 camera with similar engineering which they've been making for decades. > Or medium format versions of those already also long made. > So they are medium format Arca Swiss's and Rollei's and Linhofs and Sinars. > > Mark William Rabiner > > > > > From: Adam Bridge <abridge at mac.com> > > Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > > Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 20:25:10 -0700 > > To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > > Subject: [Leica] What makes something a "technical camera"? > > > > Just curious to understand the category. I'm assuming these are cameras > that > > are treated much like view cameras? Have no automatic functions at all? > > > > Thanks! > > > > Adam > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com>