Cal, I'm sure it is a disease. It started with a Cine Rollex back--😎
So far, I'm happy with my RB67 rig. Glass is some of the best I've used--used many Zeiss and Leica glass over the years. The RB is a tank and I do carry it around and shoot handhold, but it can be fatiguing after awhile.
I'm assuming some of the Linhofs are heavy. Can the Technika 70 shoot 70mm? Glass good? I see them around $7-900.
W,
The CINE is enough to lead to full blown "Linhof Disease." I assume you have a CINE with the round mount Graflok back for Baby Linhof use. The CINE's that mount to 4x5's at least the insert will work because the inserts are interchangable.
A Tech 70 can mount a CINE.
Linhof's are all metal German cameras. They are mostly used in the studio because they are kinda heavy. Expect to be well known and famous if you walk around NYC on the street with a Linhof. Perhaps a little crazy, and definitely a conversation piece.
A Tech 70 is the biggest baby Linhof made and likely the heaviest.
I love the Tech IV because it is compact and can fold with the 100/2.8 Planar. Believe it or not the grip adds considerable weight, and a CINE is the same exact weight as a Super Rolliex when both are unloaded. Of course loaded the CINE weighs more, but expect over 60 exposures before having to reload.
My Tech IV ready to shoot with a Super Rolliex weighs 5 1/2 pounds without the grip. I find the Tech IV best suited for shooting the 6x7's vertically. The Rangefinder eyepiece telescopes and is extended for use with the 100 Planar so this adds to improved ergonomics for vertical shooting. Adding the grip pushes the tipping point where on an all day walk the weight penalty is not worth it. There is a scale focus that is mechanically linked to movements on the bed. This is useful for "Kill Zone" shooting if you stop down enough for DOF.
I also have a Baby Tech V that is a prototype with no serial number on the cold shoe. Oddly this camera has no rear movements and the only front movement is rise. This camera came with a cam cut for a 95 Schneider that did not come with the body.
So I found a Zeiss 53/4.5 Biogon at a good price for no money about 24mm FOV in 6x7. This too is a hard to find legendary lens. The no movements of this cool prototype body ends up being an asset. It is of ligher weight than a regular Tech V. The body has a side mounted rangefinder so it resembles a 4x5 Linhof. In use it is like shooting a LTM Leica with a peep rangefinder used with an external VF'er. Since I'm shooting an ultrawide I like the all at once view from a Linhof "Zebra" 4x5 VF'er. This VF'er zooms, and I figured out how to modify the mask and utilize the zoom to get proper framing.
The 53 Biogon is a "Porker" of a lens, both big and extra heavy. Rigged with a grip this camera weighs 7 1/4 pounds without film. This camera is almost like carrying arond a gallon of milk (a gallon of water is about 8 pounds). Pretty much when you buy a Linhof you get a free gym membership.
Know that I weight 151 pounds and I'm 5'9" (Use to be 5'10" but at the age of 60 expect shrinkage). I have an ugly thick neck like a football player and my right arm according to my tailor is about an inch longer than my left arm. Basically I am already a "monster" that has a deformed body due to carrying around either lots of gear, or heavy cameras.
I asked my Linhof consultant (Christian is the original host of Linhof Disease according to the CDC) if people might have the impression that I'm a little crazy walking around NYC carrying a Linhof because no one really does this, and Christian's response is is that the first impression of people on the street might be correct. LOL.
This is not normal behavior. I say just be patient. Crazy deals get posted. Buy the complete kit with all the extras. Parting out a kit is a viable business because accessories are not inexpensive. Also cutting a cam is not difficult. Chrisian, my Linhof Consultant, gets cam blanks 3-d printed. Also the Zeiss glass is killer; none better IMHO especially the Linhof select which is cherry picked by Linhof.
Check out Steve Gandy's (Head Bartender) website for Linhof info.
BTW I somehow amassed 10 Graphmatics. The camera with a Graphmatic is really not too heavy, buy 10 Graphmatics weigh a lot to get 60 shots.
Cal