Deardorff Features & Movements

Every now and again, I see a Deardorff 8x10 for sale that calls to me. But ... I don't know much about them (although I already have a lens that will work

Can some kind soul point me to a resource that would explain things like:

• The various models
• Whether any had front tilt, back tilt, and more generally, all the movements.
• Other features that vary across models

Thanks in advance ...

You might try asking this question on the Large Format Photography Forum, I think you would find your answers quickly there.
And yes, get yourself that Deardorff you want!

I've had a Deardorff 8x10 for over 40 years and love the camera! But, the one slight disadvantage to this particular camera is that it's heavy. That's a good thing in windy conditions, but not so good when carrying it in a pack with a full complement of other stuff.

I really don't know the full history of these cameras, but I'd recommend sticking with the later V8 model. As for movements, it has everything except for front/rear shift and rear rise. In my four decades of using this camera in the great outdoors, I've never wanted for any camera movement that it doesn't provide.

My buying advice would be to be careful as I've seen some "clunkers" going for pretty high prices because it's a 'Dorff. Best to buy one off the LFPF or here. If you go the eBay route, read the description carefully and scrutinize the pictures.

Good luck! I hope something I've said helps.

Alan9940 said:

I've had a Deardorff 8x10 for over 40 years and love the camera! But, the one slight disadvantage to this particular camera is that it's heavy. That's a good thing in windy conditions, but not so good when carrying it in a pack with a full complement of other stuff.

I really don't know the full history of these cameras, but I'd recommend sticking with the later V8 model. As for movements, it has everything except for front/rear shift and rear rise. In my four decades of using this camera in the great outdoors, I've never wanted for any camera movement that it doesn't provide.

My buying advice would be to be careful as I've seen some "clunkers" going for pretty high prices because it's a 'Dorff. Best to buy one off the LFPF or here. If you go the eBay route, read the description carefully and scrutinize the pictures.

Good luck! I hope something I've said helps.

Click to expand...

Very helpful, thanks! To confirm, it has front and rear tilts?

They all have front and rear tilt and rear swings. The older ones do not have front swings.

You can read the two pages on Deardorff in the list here: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/listcameras.html
eg https://www.largeformatphotography.info/deardorff/
https://www.craigcamera.com/deardorf.htm

(My remarks from someone who has never owned one) Deardorffs IMO are the ur-design from which most folding wood field LF cameras (like say a Wista or Tachihara) spring. Ironically, most of the original Deardorffs were probably sold for studio work like catalog photography in the big Chicago mail order catalog houses, not for toting around in the field in search of Ansel's tripod holes.

When people say Deardorff they are usually referring to the model that looks like a folding field camera, but there are a few others (I think the Portrait and Studio) that have more limitations.

chuckroast said:

Very helpful, thanks! To confirm, it has front and rear tilts?

Click to expand...

Yes.

The later Deardorff V8 should have front swing and large round metal plate at bottom for tripod. Both are quite useful for me. And they have a serial number on the front metal label, which you can use to guesstimate year of production.

Deardorff V8 is heavy and lives in my home studio for portraits and still life. I prefer it over Kodak 2/2D, because Deardorff's default bellows draw is long enough for long lenses (e.g. 375/380mm lens for head shots). For outdoor landscape, I would probably opt for a Charmonix 8x10 which is lighter and costs similar on the used market.

I fully agree with @Alan9940 that you buy from trusted party, e.g. LFF, Photrio, KEH, MPEX etc.

Thank you all for your informative explanations. May the light bless you richly ...

Here is nice reading, thanks to Ken Hough:


Enjoy!
Nobody mentioned yet, but 8x10 dorfs are on the heavy side.

I’m a happy Deardorff 4x5 Special user.

Vaidotas said:

Nobody mentioned yet, but 8x10 dorfs are on the heavy side.

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True! But, it's a LOT more solid under windy conditions vs my 8x10 Intrepid.

I only have a Wista 45, but I had a friend in the late 1970s whose Deardorf toppled down the Pallisades in NJ and only suffered a slight chip, so since then I have considered them the epitome of tough cameras. I don’t do enough LF to justify the expense, but if committed to LF Deardorf would be my choice.

I had one that was in terrific condition and fairly tight for a Deardorff. It began life with no front swings (NSF), and at the time, spare Deardorff parts were being sold on EBay. So, I was able to upgrade to front swings. It was quite a beautiful camera.

Frankly, I do no care for the camera. They're heavy, and they're borderline flimsy. Try extending the camera for a 610mm lens, and you'll see what I mean. Nor can one tighten them down like one can with other better made cameras. They're also not suitable for super-wide lenses, like a 210mm SA or any lens with a smaller focal length, if you want movements. There's no such thing as a bag bellows for a Deardorff. Also know that Deardorffs have neither front nor rear shift. Shift must be effected by using front and rear swing.

One nice thing about a Deardorff is the vertically sliding front that holds the lens board. If indeed you're able to get front rise using the bellows on this or that lens, it's easy to fine tune rise/fall with the sliding front. The sliding front is limited to an inch up and to an inch down on an 8x10 Deardorff. Some photographers resort to an offset lens board for greater rise and fall with a Deardorff.

For versatility, I much prefer a rail camera like an older style Arca Swiss. While the parts are rare, one can even configure a Sinar 8x10 with bag and pleated bellows that weighs less than a Deardorff. I have an older, inexpensive Bender kit 8x10 rail camera that weighs about 9 lbs, which I've customized to my needs. I would choose this camera over a Deardorff any day of the week.

In summary, if you can live with a 250mm wide-field lens (e.g. a Fuji 250mm f6.7 lens?) as a wide angle (but no wider), and you don't wish to extend the bellows beyond about 480mm, a nice Deardorff 8x10 can be beautiful in appearance, and they'll work OK. But if you get too far outside those limits, you'll be disappointed. I sure know that I was.

My Deardorff V8 is rock-solid, even with heavier lenses. I refurbished it soon after purchase including a full disassembly and cleaning of all hardware and a restoration (not refinish) and cleaning of all wood surfaces.
The weak point is the knobs that control rise/fall, but mine seem to stay put fine. Mine is a 1967, so it has the factory front swings.
I installed a replacement bellows from Custom Bellows UK, and I can compress the standards together to about 100mm, so using my widest lens 159mm (6.25") is no problem. That's pretty wide for 8x10.
My longest lens is a heavy 395mm (15.5") Wollensak with a front-mount Packard shutter. Again, it's fine on the Deardorff and I have to extend the bellows quite a bit for head and shoulders portraits.
It's slightly heavier than my 8x10 Eastman View 2D, but has more movements and seems better built.

chuckroast said:

Every now and again, I see a Deardorff 8x10 for sale that calls to me. But ... I don't know much about them (although I already have a lens that will work

Can some kind soul point me to a resource that would explain things like:

• The various models
• Whether any had front tilt, back tilt, and more generally, all the movements.
• Other features that vary across models

Thanks in advance ...

Click to expand...

I have 4 it’s the best 8x10 made

There seems to be a mini resurgence of parts on that ebay site.

I have a “newer” deardorff (1980s) in fantastic shape but would never call it “rock solid” by any imaginative stretch. It bounces and wiggles a lot compared to my Lotus. The front extensions are very thin. Definitely wait for wind to settle completely when using it.

I find the weight very reasonable for an 8x10. But again, it’s about the same weight as my Lotus, which is much more smooth and solid.

I will credit the ‘dorff with two things: it folds rather flat and the sliding front rise is invaluable. Especially since it is otherwise coupled with the tilt.

And leather bellows are nice. Instills more confidence than cloth.