Which 8x10 is better?

Changeling1 · May 30, 2006

Which of these two 8x10" cameras would you buy and why?

1) The Deardorff
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Deardorff-...ryZ15248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or
2) The Wisner
http://cgi.ebay.com/8x10-WISNER-EXP...ryZ15248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks in advance.

User Removed · May 30, 2006

That is one of the cleanest Deardorffs that I've ever seen...however, I think the price is quite high, and for that price, the Wisner is alot better of a deal! You would be much happier with the Wisner and you are getting a better deal if you can get it for the opening price.

Jeremy · May 30, 2006

To be honest, I think they are both overpriced. I have a deardorff and love it and have also used a Wisner which didn't impress me as much. I think Bruce's on eBay has deardorffs for $1500 or so, the one you linked to will probably go to a collector with deep pockets.

User Removed · May 30, 2006

You could also buy a Wehman 8x10 brand spankin new for 100 dollars cheeper. I've seen the Wehman cameras in person and they are VERY nice and alot more compact and lighter than both those cameras.

Amund · May 30, 2006

Ryan McIntosh said:
You could also buy a Wehman 8x10 brand spankin new for 100 dollars cheeper. I've seen the Wehman cameras in person and they are VERY nice and alot more compact and lighter than both those cameras.

I`ll second that. I have a Wehman and couldn`t be happier. His new 2006 model has some improvements over his previous models too...

Tom Hoskinson · May 30, 2006

Ryan McIntosh said:
You could also buy a Wehman 8x10 brand spankin new for 100 dollars cheeper. I've seen the Wehman cameras in person and they are VERY nice and alot more compact and lighter than both those cameras.

I agree with Ryan. I own an 8x10 Wehman and I like it a lot.

http://www.wehmancamera.com/

I bought my 8x10 Wehman directly from Bruce Wehman and he is a very nice guy to deal with.

Dave Parker · May 30, 2006

I would not buy either of them at the beginning bid, they seem to be overpriced and the Dorff is clean, but I would expect about $400 south of this price for a good clean Dorff, the Wisner is iffy, but there are actually quite a few of these around these days as Ron is or was a current manufacture, so I would not pay this amount of money for either of them.

Good Luck on your quest..

R.

Terence · May 30, 2006

If you're not absolutely set on a wood camera, for that kind of money I would go for the Wehman. I got to play with one. They're tough, lighter and have more movements (in general). I love the Deardorff, and that is a BEAUTIFUL one, but even with a rehab mine probably cost about half of that.

wilsonneal · May 30, 2006

I think the cow's out of the barn for the auction site. The 'good deals' are fewer and farther between. Some of the auctions that have 'counters' just show how popular these items are getting there, and auction fever sets in and prices get high. I still buy the odd thing there, but I think a lot of it is a bit overpriced now.

I am seriously thinking of a Wehman. There is a romance about a Deardorff, but the Wehman just seems like a very practical and significant upgrade from my Calumet C1.
Neal

k_jupiter · May 30, 2006

wilsonneal said:
I think the cow's out of the barn for the auction site. The 'good deals' are fewer and farther between. Some of the auctions that have 'counters' just show how popular these items are getting there, and auction fever sets in and prices get high. I still buy the odd thing there, but I think a lot of it is a bit overpriced now.

Neal

I went to my local used equipment junk place (they are fairly common here in Silicon Valley) and found a MacBeth Densitometer on the shelf (a 504 I think) with a half inch of dust on it. Asked how much, he came back a bit later and gave me an astronomical price... he looked it up on on EBay and found out how much a good clean working one was, took 20% off and there was his price. Of course he kept it also. No more steals anywhere there is internet access.

tim in san jose

matt miller · May 30, 2006

I'll fourth or fifth the Wehman. I have the 2006 model and am really enjoying it. It's everything they say it is. A real joy to use. Cheaper than both of those models, new, and has a lifetime warranty. Some would say that the Deardorff or the Wisner are more beautiful though.

ineffablething · May 30, 2006

This may be of little use to you, but when I was shopping for my first view camera a few years ago, I was looking to buy a Deardorff. Then Jock Sturges turned me on to the Kodak Master View. Solid camera and they don't cost as much as a Deardorf. Best advice I ever got.

Kameraman Craig · May 30, 2006

I've had a number of 8x10's and all have served me well. Recently I purchased a tachihara from Midwest and am sticking with it. For many years I've looked at Deardorffs but have not been willing to pay the price. Craig

Capocheny · May 31, 2006

That's a really great looking Dorff! And, the Wisner is pretty nice as well!

One big advantage in going with a Dorff is that they can always be repaired or restored to new condition by either Richard Ritter or John Deardorff. Both are very reputable for quality craftsmanship.

Secondly, Dorffs have been around a verrrrrrrry long time - that has to tell you something about their endurability and durability!

Lastly, if you ever have a problem with the cameras' cosmetics (or, you're terribly bored during the winter months and don't want to go out shooting for the duration,) users have said it's relatively easy to take the hardware off and refinish it. Then, you've got a brand new looking camera!

I've not seen or used a Wehman camera so I can't make any comments on that suggestion.

However, I believe your question was a matter of choice between the Dorff and Wisner.

With no disrespect to either listing sellers, personally, I wouldn't be bidding on either of the cameras. I think they're a wee bit on the high-priced side of the street! I'd wait for another Dorff to come up on the block!

[BTW, I just recently won the bidding on a beautiful Dorff 8x10 for a very reasonable price. It's a great deal in light of how nice a condition it's in. If you'd like, please feel free to check it out under my name on e**y.]

So, deals are still out there to be found! And, like most of these situations, it's simply a matter of patience, patience, patience!

Good luck!

Cheers

John Kasaian · May 31, 2006

I think you can still find user 'dorffs under 2k. Thats whatI'd look for (but I've already got my 'dorff!) KMVs are fine cameras but I think it would be hard to find a good one under 2K these days. I don't know a thing about Wisners so I can't comment on them.

'Dorffs are lovely cameras to work with IMHO.

Keep looking and you just might come across a Century Universal. If it was good enough for Edward Weston to lust after I think it would suit me just fine and maybe You, too.

I wonder how much a brand spankin' new Deardorff V8 would cost?

Capocheny · May 31, 2006

Hi John,

According to the 10-01-05 catalog from D.P.P.I. J. Deardorff Photographic Products Inc., they don't show a V8 8x10 any longer.

The catalog shows an 8x10 Signature Convertible for $3,565.00.

Refinishing a Dorff these days cost $695.00. That doesn't include the replacement of any of the metal parts though.

BTW... I think you'd enjoying seeing their catalog. It's priceless!

Cheers

George Papantoniou · May 31, 2006

I have to ask a question to the experts: do those cameras (Dorff, Wisner, Wehman) have all the same capabilities (bed-bellows extension, swings-tilts, etc) ? Because of not, then the potential buyer should examine what he needs and what camera offers it.

Scott Peters · May 31, 2006

For that money, I would opt for the Wehman. I recently purchased the new model wehman. It is light (a lot lighter at 8 pounds), plenty of movements, but if you are strictly archetecture, you may want to look elsewhere. If you are going to do field work, or travel, I would highly recommend the wehman. With its metal 'clam shell' and light weight, it is great for the field and travel. I have even extended the bellows all the way out and put a really big lens on it and it is rock steady....what a great feature on a really light camera.

Claire Senft · May 31, 2006

Considering the differences in characteristics between the cameras which makes the best fit for the photography you will use it for?

reggie · May 31, 2006

If you can afford it, buy the Deardorff. I personally don't think the Wisner's are built nearly as well nor as precise as the Deardorf. If you end up paying $400 more or so, believe me in a few years you'll have long forgotten about that extra few dollars. You can also wait a little for a used Canham to show up on eBay. I've owned one for over 15 years now and it has never failed me. Haven't tried a Wehman, but I did own a KMV for several years and I really liked it except for the short (28") of bellows draw. The Canham has 36" and that makes a big difference.

-R

df cardwell · May 31, 2006

Folks, this Deardorff is a bargain.

Tom Hoskinson · May 31, 2006

reggie said:
If you can afford it, buy the Deardorff. I personally don't think the Wisner's are built nearly as well nor as precise as the Deardorf. If you end up paying $400 more or so, believe me in a few years you'll have long forgotten about that extra few dollars. You can also wait a little for a used Canham to show up on eBay. I've owned one for over 15 years now and it has never failed me. Haven't tried a Wehman, but I did own a KMV for several years and I really liked it except for the short (28") of bellows draw. The Canham has 36" and that makes a big difference.

-R

The Wehman Bellows Draw is 30"

reggie · May 31, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
The Wehman Bellows Draw is 30"

That's a little better than the KMV, but when you reach the limit of the bellows, it restricts your camera movements. I have run into this problem with the KMV (but rarely). I've only seen pictures of the Wehman but it looks like a nice camera built with usability and functionality as the primary goals.

-R

removed account4 · May 31, 2006

go for the deardorff, and you should see if you can
get one of those - tim conway video's.
he golfs, he auto races, he is in the olympics, i am sure he does LF. ...

User Removed · May 31, 2006

The seller lowered the price nearly 500 bucks on the Wisner camera. Surly the better deal now. Was a better deal even before he lowered the price.

That Deardorff sold for nearly $2,600.00. That is the most I've seen a Deardorff go for on an Ebay auction.

Which 8x10 is better?

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