Linhof M679 Large Format Digital Setup: A Hands On Review

Linhof M679 Large-Format Camera I think it's fair to say that I'm not the world's best large-format camera shooter, but it's not for any lack of appreciation for the view camera. There is something about the precise and methodical approach needed to compose and capture an image in 4 x 5 that really appeals to me. The corollary, though, is that in large-format, the choice of camera is more crucial than in other formats.

One of the reasons that I've never been a great large-format photographer is that I've never had access to great large- format cameras; most of my view camera work came during my art school days. Our gear was good, but when a few hundred students are using a few dozen cameras the result is often boxes that look as if they came from the least reputable rental house in the district. I can't tell you how much ?lm I've run through a camera only to ?nd that the baf?es didn't block light, or that the tilt and pan adjustments strayed during exposure sending my photograph into blurry oblivion.

So when Linhof offered to send us their M679cc, a massively beautiful large-format camera?that seems to have more in common with a precise Swiss watch than it does my old art school?I was a bit apprehensive. Then Linhof's PR people pointed out that the camera's interchangeable medium-format adapter plates make the M679 capable of working with digital backs, and suddenly my enthusiasm for the format was renewed.

The M679 ships inside a sturdy hard plastic case replete with shock-absorbing foam. The heavy-duty case allows the cameras to transported, and it could even likely encounter the Samsonite gorilla without any issues. The foundation of the M679cc is an optical bench with two rails that allow any lens from 35-240mm to be used without extensions. Our test unit came with a wide-angle lens, which I swapped for a standard lens. Controls on the Linhof are precise and well built. The basic camera functions (standard and panorama controls) are red-colored locking dials, while the precise-adjustment controls use a dial and lock-ring combination that makes it possible and simple to move camera settings a fraction of a inch at a time. The "cc" model (the one I tested) has rear rise and shift, which extends the versatility of the system. I coupled the M679 with a Leaf Valeo 22 megapixel camera back, with the Leaf easily connecting to the Linhof via a supplied Hasselblad adapter plate.

Leaf's software is powerful and easy to use, and the images off the Valeo are sharp and crisp enough to really judge the power of the M679. The coupling of digital and large format is very powerful, allowing the traditionally slow-paced large-format camera to be used for something as fast as fashion work. Upon tethering the Valeo to the Powerbook, I did some standard tests with the Linhof, shooting still life images while getting the hang of the controls. After only a few shots I fell back into the large-format routine, my hands landing on the right knobs and controls every time thanks to the ergonomic design of the controls. Large rubber gaskets on the dials make ?ne adjustments more facile and the extending lock rings were extremely easy to operate without bumping the controls.

One of the rules of thumb of large-format photography is that the more solid the camera, the more dif?cult it is to use it in the ?eld. While the Linhof is no lightweight, a good portion of my time with the camera was spent outdoors, taking landscape and architectural photographs. This is, of course, an arena in which the format shines?and the solidity and adjustability of the Linhof makes creative photography a joy. Tethering the camera to a Powerbook was a bit awkward in the ?eld (and I became very popular with the gawking neighborhood children), but that's not a limitation of the camera itself. It's a simple matter to pair the M679 to any number of back systems that include built-in storage, and we could have opted to use the Leaf with a portable hard drive rather than tethering it.

Of course, I could also have attached a traditional ?lm back, Polaroid holder, etc. to the Linhof and gone from shooting 22 megapixel digital goodness to good old reliable silver-halide in just a few seconds.

As with interchangeable-back medium-format cameras, working with a system that can swap from digital to ?lm with the twist of a lever increases the types of jobs that a photographer can book. In a few dozen hours of working with the camera, I encountered very few issues. On occasion I neglected to tighten down the panorama controls enough, and found myself bumping the camera out of focus, although that was obviously user-induced error.

During initial setup, Leaf's regional sales manager (who helped me ensure the camera and back were properly integrated) pointed out that the locking-lever that holds the front objective and the rear adapter plate seemed like they might not be solid enough to hold the pieces ?rmly in place, yet long-term testing has proven the pieces to be neither ?imsy nor overbuilt?they do what they're supposed to do.

That's really the best way to sum up the Linhof M679: it does its job and it performs at a level above that of many large-format cameras. At $5,415 (plus adapters and lensboard) the M679 is a hefty investment, but a smart one for the photographer who spends all day ?ddling with controls on their large-format gear. The Linhof is easy easy to adjust, and easier to lock down, both of which are the hallmarks of a photographic format that's designed for maximum control. Linhof M679 Large-Format Camera www.hpmarketingcorp.com

Pros: Incredibly precise control, integration with digital photography, and good ergonomics make the M679 a great choice for the view camera user. Cons: The price tag puts the Linhof out of range of many shooters, and makes it overkill for the occasional large-format photographer.