Replacing a Deardorff 8x10 ground glass

CHHAHH · Apr 4, 2015

Hi Folks!

The ground glass of my loved 8x10 Deardorff is very dark and has also markings of the former user on it. I was thinking about replacing it to make my life easier when focussing and composing.
As it is almost impossible to get Deardorff stuff in Europe, i was asking myself it it would be possible to replace it with other brand ground glasses. I am also not sure if my ground glass is a fresnel glass, both sides of the glass actually feel very smooth.

What do i need to take into account when buying a new ground glass (other that the outer dimensions of course)? I assume that thickness needs to be the same. But I i buy a fresnel kind ground glass..will that fit?
Or does anybody know a good supplier for Deardorff glasses?

Thanks for your support guys!

E. von Hoegh · Apr 4, 2015

Have you tried cleaning it? Warm water, dish detergent and a soft brush can work wonders.

cowanw · Apr 4, 2015

Not unless you want to wash away the markings!
Which you might choose to do.

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 4, 2015

CHHAHH said:
Or does anybody know a good supplier for Deardorff glasses?

Dead Link Removed

This is one of the best ground glass suppliers available. Very bright glass that can even reduce the need for a Fresnel lens. Very easy focusing. Steve offers both soda lime and borosilicate glass types. If one can afford it, the borosilicate is preferable. Very strong. Chip and fracture resistant. Both gridded and non-gridded options are available. Corner clipping is also available.

Prices and turnaround time are reasonable. International shipping is available. Plus Steve is one of the two nicest people to work with that I have yet encountered online.

I myself have purchased a replacement 1-inch gridded non-clipped borosilicate 8x10 ground glass for my own 8x10 camera from Steve. He was extremely attentive to the details and it fit perfectly when installed. Could not be happier with it.

Ken

Jim Noel · Apr 4, 2015

YOU can replace your Deardorff glass with any GG you prefer. It does not have a fresnel. Just be certain that when you put in the new glass, or the cleaned old one, the ground surface is toward the lens.

gone · Apr 4, 2015

If the ground glass in the above link is too much for you (I'm sure they're top quality, but they're a little pricey for my budget), this seller below ships to Europe, and the prices are low. I can't imagine that you couldn't find this in your area though.

The screens are generally easy to replace, and if you have a fresnel, on every camera I have owned, the fresnel was on a separate piece behind the ground glass. So if you don't have that, I would venture to say that you don't have a fresnel. Since a large format camera does not depend on infinity stops, the thickness is not an issue. You just want to make sure it's not too thick to go into your fasteners.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8x10-Ground...368?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b67d3050

CHHAHH · Apr 4, 2015

thanks for all your answers and recommendations.
I think my current glass is an acid ground glass and without fresnel, so cleaning it would probably damage it more that making it better.

What i still don't really understand:

If i would get a ground glass & fresnel glass combination (2 pieces, fresnel below ground glass towards lens), the ground glass would be further away from it's original position. So the image would be projected in the wrong distance to the film holder --> images out of focus.
Isn't that correct? Especially for close up portraits that would be an issue.

A single ground glass without fresnel would probably be easier to replace but i am not sure how much brighter a fresnel combo would be anyway.

180$ plus shipment plus customs...pretty expensive. :/

cowanw · Apr 4, 2015

The Fresnel goes on the back side, away from the lens. the fresnel combos sometimes have a clear glass cover to protect the plastic.

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 5, 2015

momus said:
If the ground glass in the above link is too much for you (I'm sure they're top quality, but they're a little pricey for my budget), this seller below ships to Europe, and the prices are low.

They are top quality. So are Deardorff cameras. My sense was that Deardorff owners don't normally seek out value price point accessories for their masterpiece cameras. But perhaps in this case I erred? Cheaper accessories are certainly available, if required.

At the end of the day one gets what one pays for...

Ken

jvoller · Apr 6, 2015

Last year I ordered a replacement GG for my 4x5 Cambo SC (yes, a long way from a Deardorff) from the online auction site. It didn't fit in the Cambo's back (I think the fault being more with the Cambo than the GG). After a bit of research I came across Steve Hopf, who will cut GG to spec. I measured carefully, ordered from him, and soon the Cambo had a GG that fit perfectly and was noticeably brighter than the original. I was impressed enough to order another for my Wista Field 45 (also a long way from a Deardorff). My fresnels are now packed away. Steve Hopf was great to do business w/ and his borosilicate GG is indeed impressive. Makes me feel better about my lower-end cameras

Replacing a Deardorff 8x10 ground glass

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