Linhof 'Baby' Technika 23, still available new?

[Henry Carter]

The Linhof Super Technika V 6X9 is still shown on the Linhof website, but as this site shows several discontinued cameras, I am wondering if it is still available new from Linhof?

Can a 6X9 Super Rolex back for a 4X5 Technika be converted for use on the smaller 6X9 Technika?

Does Linhof still cam lenses for the 6X9 Technika (58, 100, 180)?

[David A. Goldfarb]

Bob Salomon posted over a year ago that there were only a few left, but maybe he can post an update.

The inserts are interchangeable between 4x5" and 2x3" Super-Rollex backs of the same format, but the shells are different.

Marflex just cammed my 55mm/4.5 Apo-Grandagon, 105/2.8 Xenotar, and 180/5.6 Caltar II-N (Sironar-N) for my Tech V 23b, so yes, they're still doing it.

[Henry Carter]

Thanks David.

I use a 4X5 Master Technika, and when I can't travel with 4X5, I thought that a 6X9 Technika would be a good alternative to the MT.

I just can't bring myself to buy a plastic MF rangefinder camera...

[Anupam]

I just can't bring myself to buy a plastic MF rangefinder camera...

Did you just call the Mamiya 7s II a "plastic camera"?

[Peter K]

Can a 6X9 Super Rolex back for a 4X5 Technika be converted for use on the smaller 6X9 Technika?

The fixing plate is different. If this plate is aviable as spare part, one can exchange it by loosening six screws.

Peter K

[Bob Salomon]

Henry,

No. In 6x9cm cameras the current Linhof models are the TK23 S and the M679cs. The STV23b is out of production and out of stock.

[Bob Salomon]

The fixing plate is different. If this plate is aviable as spare part, one can exchange it by loosening six screws.

Peter K

So is the shell. A 45 Super Rollex back will not mount to a 23 Linhof camera.

[Peter K]

So is the shell. A 45 Super Rollex back will not mount to a 23 Linhof camera.

Sorry Bob, I've changed myself the the mounting plates from Super-Rollex and Cine-Rollex to convert it from 23 to 45 and vice versa.

Peter K

[al olson]

Henry,

If weight is an issue for traveling and if you are considering a used baby Linhof, it would be best to handle one before you buy. These little buggers are surprisingly heavy as well.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks David.

I use a 4X5 Master Technika, and when I can't travel with 4X5, I thought that a 6X9 Technika would be a good alternative to the MT.

I got mine for the same reason. I have a 4x5" Tech V, which seems to have become my main travel camera over the last couple of years, but now with a toddler I wanted something a little more compact with more or less the same functionality, and the Tech V 23b is definitely it. I'm in the middle of my first extended trip with the 23 right now, and it was great to be able to travel with the camera and five lenses (55/65/105/135/180), ergo grip, loupe, Gossen Digisix, film, 6x7 back, and six Grafmatics, in a case about half the volume of my 4x5" bag, and with a compact tripod that fits in my suitcase instead of requiring a tripod case. I did bring my Technika filters and shade, though, in a separate fanny pack.

It's also a bit cheaper to have lenses cammed for the 23, since a significant part of the cost is the blank cam itself, and a three-lobed 23 cam is less expensive than three 4x5" cams.