What might one expect to pay for 8X10 Deardorff?

[nsurit]

Well that pretty much says it all, however let us assume it is an older one like Saint Ansel used. No need to treat me like an idiot as I will admitt to being one when it come to larger format. Some helpful hints on what to look for and what might be a reasonable price to pay would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Bill Barber

 

[MattCarey]

Equinox photo had one on their site recently. I think it was just under $800--and it didn't sell for a while. They dropped the price by $100 and it sold in a week.

Matt

 

[John Kasaian]

With front swings & good bellows I'd say anywhere from $1200-1800. No front swing probably $700-1100. A mint camera---? SWAG guesstimate of course!

That you're interested in 'dorffs indicates your excellent taste in cameras!

 

[jonw]

Be careful, the V8 deardorff is addictive. I purchased one in October w/ FS for around $700, but it needed the bellows patched and the front swing was slightly sideways. It came with an 8x10 & 4x5 backs. Just got my factory replacement bellows for $300 and now, the Winter Project begins. Then, this month, another V8 caught my attention which has sound bellows, front swing, but still a user. It went for around $900. This will allow me to have a user V8, while working on the restoration project. Eventually, one of them will need to be sold....probably to help get the 11x14.....?
Check out the websites for Deardorff, Ken Hough has been very quick to advise me the production/ sale date on my Deardorffs, plus he has a nice historical and practical info about them...and if you can afford his services, I believe he does excellent work. The "buys" are out there, you just need to look.

 

[vet173]

I bought a driver V-8 from a fellow APUGER with front swings and good but not mint bellows, needing a ground glass for 750.00. I'm a happy camper. Shelf queens can go as high as 2300.00. Just watch the auction for a while and you will know when to jump.

 

[eclarke]

Jack deardorf is making cameras again and it might be helpful to contact him since you could get a new one. He has made some improvements to them. He is in Valparaiso, Indiana..EC

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

With front swings in pretty good shape and ready to use around $1500 or so.

 

[df cardwell]

Since there are two ways to "restore" a deardorff, be realistic.

You can prettify the wood, and that's one thing. But the wood never wears out.

Like a Linhof, the thing that makes a Deardorff special is the metal. And Like a Linhof, after years of hard use, the metal needs to be replaced. And that, dear readers,. is expensive. $2000 + for a camera with new tracks and all is a bargain, considering what a new Wisner or Ebony costs.

Hardy a 'shelf queen'. Don't be cheap.

.

 

[SchwinnParamount]

Since there are two ways to "restore" a deardorff, be realistic.

You can prettify the wood, and that's one thing. But the wood never wears out.

Like a Linhof, the thing that makes a Deardorff special is the metal. And Like a Linhof, after years of hard use, the metal needs to be replaced. And that, dear readers,. is expensive. $2000 + for a camera with new tracks and all is a bargain, considering what a new Wisner or Ebony costs.

Hardy a 'shelf queen'. Don't be cheap.

.

I'm not so sure of that. I saw Vet's $750 Deardorff and actually got to compose a portrait with it. Sure, the wood was not pristine. All the metal bits were in fine shape. There was just a vague hint of brassing in the track channels but they were not worn out by any means. The racks were in great shape as well. The focus locking knobs were all good and tight too. The point that Vet187 was making is that you can find good 'user' deardorff's for under 1000 zops or you can find a NOS example which is functionally not any better for 2000+.

I'm building an 8x10 at the moment so I've learned a bit about camera design. The Deardorff has amazingly sophisticated parts. For example, those racks are machined on both sides! That's expensive to do. The camera uses both nickel plated brass and steel. The steel is a structural part which holds the front standard up while the brass is used for the focus movements.

 

[jp80874]

Jack deardorf is making cameras again and it might be helpful to contact him since you could get a new one. He has made some improvements to them. He is in Valparaiso, Indiana..EC

Can you describe the improvements or give a link where there is detail?

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[eclarke]

HI,
He does not have a website. He is an analog guy all the way. He gave a presentation at the Chicago Photographic collectors society meeting and brought 4x5s. He expounded on the improvements but I am old and have forgotten them. He is happy to talk to people, the number is (219) 464-9748...EC