1887 – 2012: Linhof 125 Years
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1887 Foundation of the company by Master Mechanic Valentin Linhof (1854 - 1929). Start of production and sales of metal circular leaf shutters. Gold Medal for Valentin Linhof's shutter in Paris. 1889 Construction of Valentin Linhof's first all-metal camera based on the design of - Joseph Barth , a precision engineer from Munich using aluminium instead brass. The format 9 x 12 cm came in two versions: for plates and rollfilm. For the first time the camera was square. By rotating the groundglass screen the format coud be switched from upright to horizontal pictures without removing the camera from the tripod. |
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1911 Valentin Linhof's pricelist emphasizes his philosophy/business concept: quality instead of mass production. 1929 After Valentin Linhof's death Nikolaus Karpf joined the company as a young engineer in 1933. |
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1934 Technika prototype ready. 1935 Nikolaus Karpf improves and perfectionates Linhof's camera developing the legendary Technika, a name composed of the German words "Technische Kamera". 1936 Start of the Technika production in two versions 6 x 9 cm and 9 x 12 cm. |
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1946 The Technika III (9 x 12cm / 4 x 5 inch) is a square metal body with swing and tilt frame, triple extension of the drop bed and adjustable standard. The camera was offered with or without coupled range finder system. 1950 Introduction of the Technika with optical range finder to the US-market. Beginning of worldwide international trading. |
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1950 – 1960 Followed by the phase of reconstruction the demands on applied photography were steadily increasing. As the logical answer Linhof creates an optical bench camera system, called Kardan: The idea was mounting the camera standards on ball-type universal joints, running along a round base rail for precise picture-taking with perspective control and depth-of-field control. At its peak over 800 employees were working in Munich and other plants. |
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In the 1960s Linhof precision cameras became a worldwide success. A household name for every pro.Linhof cameras frequently brought back special awards such as Gold Medals at the Paris Exhibition, at the Triennale in Milan and other cities in Europe, the Far East and the USA. |
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1972/73 The Aero Technika, a large format aerial camera system was developed: use of 126 mm rollfilm, motorized transport of 150 frames in one cassette with vacuum technique for exact film flatness. Interchangeable lenses from 90 to 250 mm with focusing facilities. The Aero Technika was regularly used in space by American or European missions delivering superb photos. |
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1976 Technorama 6x17,rigid rolfilm viewfinder camera for extreme wide-screen (1:3 aspect ratio) shots. |
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1983 Development of the Aerotronica 69 for aerial photography. Long focal lengths for small objects and a new patented rotation shutter system permitting speeds up to 1/1.500 sec for lenses up to 500 mm. 320 frames of format 6 x 9 cm in one motor cassette. |
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1983 Nasa astronaut Georg Nelson using an Linhof Aero Technika 45 in the 1983 Discovery space shuttle to photograph the earth´s surface from orbit. 1983 Linhof developed the Technorama 612, als Technorama 612 PC ab 1988 auf dem Markt: Aufnahmen im Format 6x12 auf Rollfilm, mit eingebautem Hochshift für Architekturaufnahmen. |
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1984 Introduction of the Technikardan. A synthesis of the compact Technika and the adjustment facilities of the Kardan monorails. Combining the advantages of both systems the Technikardan became the ideal travelling companion in the formats 6 x 9 and 9 x 12. |
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1986 In photokina the models Kardan Master GTL and Kardan GT were introduced: extended direct adjustment facilities, base tilt joints with ratchet engagement keep tilted and image standards absolutely parallel to yield yaw-free movements. Telescoping monorail for variable Gegenstandsweite. Both Kardan systems are offered in interconvertible formats from 9 x 12 cm / 4 x 5" to 13 x 18 cm / 5 x 7" to 18 x 24 cm / 8 x 10". GT is the robust basic model, GTL stands for de luxe with additional features. |
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1996 Linhof presents the Technorama 617 S III with interchangeable lenses 72 mm - 90 mm - 180 mm. Panoramic pictures in the extreme format of 6 x 17 cm. Introduction of CAD-system for updated production facilities. |
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1996 presentation of a completely new camera system for new forms of application in professional studio photography and digital imaging: The Linhof M 679 is a dual system for digital work flow and classic rollfilm photography with a perfect range of adapters and accessories for medium format technique. The photographer is free to select the ideal medium for his job, digital or analogue.Photokina 96 was the date of introducing the new Technorama 617 S III with interchangeable lenses 72 - 90 - 180 mm for the extreme panoramic format 6 x 17 cm. |
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1997 Tipa Award: The Linhof M 679 judged as best professional product. |
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2000 Presentation of a new and modern Linhof -look in photokina/Cologne. Introduction of the Outdoor Edition and an improved M 679 now called M 679 cc. Linhof becomes the worldwide favourite manufacturer of system cameras for all commonly used Digital backs. |
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2001 Presentation of the new Outdoor T 617. 2004 Linhof M 679cs with integrated levelling panorama benchholder |
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2006 Modification of the Linhof Master Technika 2000, now called Technika 3000 featuring improved wide angle possibilities plus adaptation of digital backs. 2007 Linhof celebrates the 120th anniversary with a special edition of the Master Technika 3000 Jubilee. |
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2008 The Linhof Techno is presented: The system camera for outdoor photography high tech digital. |
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2012 Linhof celebrates the 125th anniversary with a special edition of the Master Technika 3000, Master Technika classic and Technorama 617s III. |