Linhof 220 - The Rarest, Funkiest, and Cheapest 6x7 Rangefinder in Existence
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- IG: @expiredbren
In this video I will be reviewing the Linhof 220, a 6x7 medium format fixed lens rangefinder produced by one of Germany's best camera firms.
Featuring a 95mm f/3.5 Technikar lens, the Linhof 220 is capable of producing tack-sharp images while being both light and compact. Far from the typical camera, the 220 is shot foremost handle-held in the portrait orientation. In lieu of a normal film advance mechanism, the camera utilizes a huge double-stroke lever. Instead of a standard shutter button, Linhof elected to use a trigger. All in all, the Linhof 220 is one of the funkiest cameras out there!
Approximately 2,000 to 5,000 of these were produced in the 1960s and 70s, making it an extremely rare camera that is seldom available for purchase online. Even so, it is easily one of the cheaper 6x7 rangefinders on the market.
With all this being known, I felt it only right to produce a brief review. Using a fresh roll of Kodak Gold 200, I put the camera to the test high in the Sierra Nevada of California.
CHAPTERS
- Intro: 00:00
- History of the Linhof 220: 0:47
- How to use the Linhof 220: 1:40
- Field Testing the Camera: 3:43
- Conclusion: 9:20
Great video as always, buddy. And what a funky and amazing camera this is!
Thanks Mathias! Much appreciated as always👍
I just found out about this curiosity and stumbled on your video. I love your style and format of videos - subscribed!
Awesome! I’m glad to hear that👍
@@ExpiredBren Same here! 👌
Beautiful pictures, specically the color ones, great work.
Thank you!
Man, props for featuring a camera I've never before seen. How heavy is it? Seems like it would be rather compact if the handle could be taken off.
It weighs just under 3.5lbs (1.5kg) and yeah without the handle it’d be about the size of my hand!
What a quirky little camera! great videos man!
Thanks!! Much appreciated🙌
Thanks. This was fun.
Thank you!!
I went with the Mamiya Univeral and Super 23. Fairly cheap, great lenses, interchangeable backs up to 6x9.
Is the Super 23 a reliable camera? Looking at the rangefinder mechanism and film backs it would seem to be a durable design
reminded me of the graflex xl. I own a Koni-omega rapid and its heavy. a nice light 6x7 would be fun to own.
In a perfect world there would be an affordable, light 6x7 camera out there! Haha
Turns out my dad had one of these. New Hampshire, late 70s. Managed to get one, and my mom, pregnant with my older brother, teased him that with the money he was spending getting the camera, they'd have to name their kid Linhof. It seems he sold it later, but going through a cabinet I found the manual for it. Strange little camera.
Strange indeed! Thanks for sharing your story👍
I hope that's not why you were named Bitterfig!
Weirdly I saw what I now think is one of these yesterday in the back of the cabinet at our little town (pop 5million) only film camera store. Didn’t ask about it.
7am and TheAlgorithm suggests this video!
Check eBay and a few but all over USD800….
It’s interesting how the algorithm does things like that!
The listed prices definitely can get high on eBay for these cameras, most seem to go for about $400-600 in the end however. Not ‘cheap’ by most conventions but definitely cheaper than other 6x7 rangefinders like the Mamiya, Fuji, and Makina alternatives
@@ExpiredBren I was back at the shop today. It has a couple of issues, and he was going to swap the film holder over with another he has, but the mounting pegs are in a different configuration.
The one he had in the cabinet has focus in feet - which is a bit odd for a Linhof so presuming it was made for US market, not sure about his other one.
Price he wants is ok - AUD800, so that’s about USD575
@@bernardkealey6449 These cameras do usually come with a couple issues, no doubt. Linhof in Southern California told me that they still work on these cameras and even have replacement parts!
now that's a strange camera. I shoot a lot of 6x9 but not in the most conventional way. Bought a Graflex RB 3x4 Slr, converted it to 4x4 back and bought a roll film holder. Still shoot 4x5 (cropped) but medium format is always cheaper
Shooting medium format with a Graflex RB sounds like it would be a lot of fun!
Thanks 👌 😊
An alternative 6 x 7 rangefinder camera is the Koni Omega Rapid easily available used on eBay.
I’m hoping to try one of those one of these days! I’ve heard that the backs can be quite finicky however
Absolutely! Most, but not all, have a film magazine which allows mid-roll film change. Otherwise, think of it as a Mamiya 7, with more features, much better built, similar range of good lenses (no ultra wide angle though), two times as heavy, and one-tenth or less of the price. One downside is that they were very expensive new, so sold only to pros, who used them to death. Tough as they are, finding one in really fine condition is getting difficult, and the few accessories made are getting very hard to find. (Thankfully, the accessories are not all that important.) Konica made the camera for about 5 years, then sold the whole manufacturing kit to Mamiya, which made the same cameras as the "Rapid Omega" for another 4 years. Ain't that a coincidence?
@@ExpiredBren The Rapid Omega backs are now around 50 years old. There is a clutch mechanism that will eventually seize and needs to be serviced. Greg Weber is the guy to repair them. Its not cheap, at least $100.
I have shot fashion shoots on one of those. Need to be careful with the compur shutter as parts are not available. Great focal length. They did a landscape one also . Mine is the same colour but i had a black one also. Super light weight isnt it.
Damnit. Now I want one.
With any luck there will be one that pops up for a reasonable price!
Until I ran across one of these cameras at a camera show about three years ago, I'd only read about them, but never met one. The seller had one about as mint as they come for $500. I thought the price was reasonable, but when I considered the multiple medium format systems I already own, I just couldn't buy it just for novelty value. Linhof sold view cameras of all sizes and a couple of high end field cameras, so this was a one-off to supplement for their professional customer base. The name was selected because the 220 film roll had been recently introduced, so anything "220" was hot stuff. It may not seem too expensive now, but new it was breathtakingly over-priced. Linhof never made lenses. Based on the company's relationships at the time, I'll guess it was made by Rodenstock. It's a simple but effective Tessar copy, having all of the Tessar distinctive pros and cons. Problems to watch for today if shopping:: Gossen built-in selenium meter (fully coupled) is probably gone (or going), The viewfinder optics tend to cloud or fade, impairing the rangefinder.
thanks for sharing some insight Randall! Unfortunately my camera has both of those listed issues. I did speak with Linhof in Southern California and they fortunately still work on these cameras and have a fair amount of replacement parts, including the viewfinder optics
@@ExpiredBren That's great, and a bit amazing. I'd expect that it would require a trip to Germany, if they would work on it at all.
Such an odd camera, wish they were more common
Same! This camera is a portrait photographer’s dream
Cheapest before this video 😅 let's check prices in a month
Hopefully the don’t jump up in price😖 at the moment there’s only a couple for sale and they are priced few and far between
@@ExpiredBren They're currently hovering round the $750 price range.
A poorly made camera, Transport problems! rare. Better cameras out there..