By Phone

404-522-7662 | Atlanta
305-350-9900 | Miami
877-217-9870 | National

The Photokina buzz has begun!

Stay tuned for your best source of Kina news!

Phase One V-Grip Air

Phase One Vertical Grip Built-in wireless flash. Uses DB batteries.

Online Training: 5.1.2

Capture One Education from the comfort of home.

A Primer on OSX Security

It takes 10 minutes to subvert any OSX password

Online Training: 5.1.2

Capture One Education from the comfort of home.

Our Photokina Guarantee

Buy Confidently Before Photokina

Trade In H System

Trade up Your H Body for a Phase One DF and Phase One / Schneider Lenses

I got your Mini View Cameras!

January 7, 2010 | News, Steve

Today we opened some fabulous packages which included an Arca Swiss M2 MF and a Linhof Techno (the first in the country). I was amazed at the size and weight of these new products. Mini View Cameras have been around for a while, but these 2 new products take the category into an even more compact direction.

Just for fun, I put together several generations of view cameras: Sinar P 4×5, Arca Swiss M2 Monolith, Arca Swiss M2 MF, Linhof Techno. For perspective, I weighed all 4 cameras:

  • 10.3 lbs – Sinar P
  • 9.85 lbs - Arca Swiss M2 Monolith
  • 5.35 lbs – Arca Swiss M2 MF
  • 4.15 lbs – Linhof Techno

The Arca Swiss M2 MF has shift, rise/fall on the rear standard, orbix tilt and swing on the front. The Linhof has rise/fall on the rear standard, shift, swing and tilt on the front. By limiting proprietary movements to specific standards rather than the same movement options on both front and back standards, weight and bulk is dramatically decreased. Gearing is precise and ideal for digital. The M2 MF provides a turn lock next to the focus gear while the Techno has a friction adjuster lever for the focus gear underneath camera.


The machining and fit/finish on both cameras live up to the reputations that Linhof and Arca Swiss have carved out for themselves. Both cameras for the most part are able to accept accessories like legacy lens boards and behave very modularly. An intersting aspect of the Techno is that it can accept 6008 series Rollei lenses with the use of the Rollei Electronic Shutter (similar to how the Rollei Xact 2 does the same).

For those who have been considering products like the  Cambo Wide RS or Arca Swiss RM3D, the Linhof Techno and Arca Swiss M2 MF offer a compelling alternative for those who want a little more flexibility (sliding back, longer lenses) without sacrificing bulk and weight.

_