Deardorff reducing backs

Jeremy · Mar 2, 2006

I have been looking for a reducing back for my V8 'dorff and because of the stigma attached to these cameras they have all been over $200 (out of my current budget). Does anyone know of any other brand camera with the same back dimensions that I could cannibalize? I actually just want a blank piece with a 4x5 hole so that I can make an adaptor to mount the 4x5 and 3x4 backs I have which go on my shen-hao (that way I only need one reducing back instead of 2).

Any thoughts? Maybe I'll just cut some wood and use the air compressor to drive pins into the corners myself.

dphphoto · Mar 2, 2006

Stigma? Don't you mean aura? In any event, you're right about pricing. You might be on the right track on trying to make one. Maybe some plywood from Home Depot and some mahogany stain? You can probably get pins from Ken Hough; google him or find one of his eBay listings as V8 on eBay and email him.
About 20 some years ago I made a recessed lens board for my 'dorff out of modeling mahogany and some stain. That was after the Deardorff Co. (still in business then) offered to sell me one for about $225.00 or so. I still have it and it still works great. Dean

bobfowler · Mar 2, 2006

Jeremy Moore said:
I have been looking for a reducing back for my V8 'dorff and because of the stigma attached to these cameras they have all been over $200 (out of my current budget). Does anyone know of any other brand camera with the same back dimensions that I could cannibalize? I actually just want a blank piece with a 4x5 hole so that I can make an adaptor to mount the 4x5 and 3x4 backs I have which go on my shen-hao (that way I only need one reducing back instead of 2).

Any thoughts? Maybe I'll just cut some wood and use the air compressor to drive pins into the corners myself.

Making an adapter to use the backs for your shen-hoa should be pretty easy to do. If you want a "real" Deardorff back, be prepared to pay $$$. If you need some help, drop me a PM...

avandesande · Mar 2, 2006

There is a bucketload of them on ebay right now. sometimes this drives prices down.

Jeremy · Mar 2, 2006

I may just have to cough up the bucks if I can't get one made. Any chance someone out there wouldn't mind lending me a 4x5 or 3x4 reducing back for a 'dorff for the week of the 13th? The girl I'm seeing rented me a day in the studio for my birthday and I wanted to do 4x5 (and maybe 3x4) work in addition to the 8x10 stuff.

-jeremy

df cardwell · Mar 2, 2006

Any chance someone out there wouldn't mind lending me a 4x5 or 3x4 reducing back for a 'dorff for the week of the 13th?

Not unless you stop calling them "dorffs" !

Some baltic birch ply, and a graflex spring back is a great solution if you have the time to build one.

Jeremy · Mar 2, 2006

df cardwell said:
Not unless you stop calling them "dorffs" !

Some baltic birch ply, and a graflex spring back is a great solution if you have the time to build one.

My dear 'dorff shall have to suffer my futile woodworking skills this weekend then I think

Charles Webb · Mar 2, 2006

If it was my decision, I would make a back board or boards that would accept my smaller backs and still be useable on the smaller cameras.

For a quick one time use, "duct Tape" it will hold a back on the board, and the pins to hold the back to the camera could also be bypassed with "duct tape".
Not pretty, but will work.

I have used such ugly methods with excellent success!

Charlie.........................

vet173 · Mar 3, 2006

df cardwell said:
Any chance someone out there wouldn't mind lending me a 4x5 or 3x4 reducing back for a 'dorff for the week of the 13th?

Not unless you stop calling them "dorffs" !

Some baltic birch ply, and a graflex spring back is a great solution if you have the time to build one.

This is what I did. I already had a graflok back that was on a 1" riser. Made the board in less than an hour, then epoxyed back to it. Krylon flat black and shoot away. Pins? Oh, you mean the nails with the head cut off, and put in the slightly smaller hole you drilled to the proper depth. The nails I used were just a little large. I then filed fitted them down so they would hold the back tight. Works hunky dory. If you buy one make sure it is relieved so that you can use a polaroid holder in it. Some I've seen don't have the notch.
John Berry

vet173 · Mar 3, 2006

Has anyone ever used duct tape on a duct?

David Brown · Mar 3, 2006

vet173 said:
Has anyone ever used duct tape on a duct?

Yes.

Jeremy · Mar 6, 2006

Ended up finding one cheaply (relative to what I've seen them going for) without a ground glass, but happily I have a 4x5 satin snow glass all ready for it

jimgalli · Mar 6, 2006

Shoot. Late to the party. I have one from one of those india 'dorff wannabees made of teak or something if anyone else is looking. $45 bucks. You supply the 4X5 pieces.

Deardorff reducing backs

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