Please measure your 11x14 Deardorff 'T' distance

Randy Moe · Nov 13, 2013

As some may know I am setting up a Deardorff SC11 studio 11x14. I have just checked my 11x14 Deardorff OE and very old 11x14 back. 'T" on mine is 0.240"

I would like to know what other Deardorff's measure, both Field and Studio 11x14's as I may need to make major mods to get within ANSI 'T' of 0.332"

Some suggest custom holders, others suggest new GG frame and I suggest shimming.

Thanks for any info on 'T' measurements!

johnielvis · Nov 13, 2013

no way it's that much out of spec--you're measuring it wrong.

There are RAISED areas in the corners--you must measure from there--not in the middle of the gg frame.

just for giggles I measured mine with a 1/32 rule---corner: like 10.5/32 ----middle 8/32..this gives .328 corner (actual t distance) and .250 middle ("false" t distance).

Randy Moe · Nov 16, 2013

I know I measured correctly. I know about the raised corners. That is what it is, I have measured T on many film backs.

It's a variation from a long time ago.

Barry is not answering.

I have made arrangements to render it better.

johnielvis said:
no way it's that much out of spec--you're measuring it wrong.

There are RAISED areas in the corners--you must measure from there--not in the middle of the gg frame.

just for giggles I measured mine with a 1/32 rule---corner: like 10.5/32 ----middle 8/32..this gives .328 corner (actual t distance) and .250 middle ("false" t distance).

johnielvis · Nov 17, 2013

so it REALLY is that far out of spec? I don't see any excessive wear either--the one I have sure looks worn. Then again, my rule has some kind of offset if I'm measuring slightly larger than spec, right? Then again, I'm measuring to the GG and pushing kind of too--I'll get a proper measurement with caliper one of these days--I'll have to take out the glass to do it though....a job for later. I never knew that deardorff made different spec backs--particularly for commercial cameras--you'd think those cameras would be the ones to have rigid standards over any others. The nice thing about the raised portions is that they are easy to shim--even using a little sticky tape or spray glue on the shims.

If mine were worn to the measurement you're getting, the raised corners would have to be totally worn off.

Randy Moe · Nov 19, 2013

Well either nobody checks theirs or they ain't talking.

I'm fixing mine.

Rick A · Nov 20, 2013

It very well may be that Deardorff used a different thickness GG on that model, hence the different backset.

Randy Moe · Dec 1, 2013

But, if the GG ground side is front facing as it should be, the viewing image is formed there not on different planes dependant upon glass thickness.

Meaning glass thickness means very little in focus.

Rick A said:
It very well may be that Deardorff used a different thickness GG on that model, hence the different backset.

eclarke · Dec 1, 2013

Best way is to make a photograph and see if it looks good. If it does, don't overthink it.

AgX · Dec 1, 2013

From the uninitiated: "What does T-distance mean?"

Please measure your 11x14 Deardorff 'T' distance

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