Zone VI ( Wista ) vs Deardorff 4x5

[Dan95]

Grids are essential as I shoot landscapes.

[E. von Hoegh]

Grids are essential as I shoot landscapes.

Actually, the way I use the cameras landscapes are one of the uses for which a non-gridded glass is convenient. I use grids for architectural subjects - it is the only reliable way to set the back of the camera, levels and such contraptions will save time and be useful to set up the camera, but the grid is the final arbiter.

You can draw a grid yourself with one of the ultrafineline markers on the smooth side, or on the ground side with a .3mm draughting pencil.

[Bob Salomon]

Actually, the way I use the cameras landscapes are one of the uses for which a non-gridded glass is convenient. I use grids for architectural subjects - it is the only reliable way to set the back of the camera, levels and such contraptions will save time and be useful to set up the camera, but the grid is the final arbiter.

Assuming the ground glass is square in the back. Some gg are small enough that they can be set in the back so that they are not square or can wiggle in the back.

[E. von Hoegh]

Assuming the ground glass is square in the back. Some gg are small enough that they can be set in the back so that they are not square or can wiggle in the back.

But not my Linhof..... (smiling smiley)

[Graybeard]

The 5x7/4x5 Special is not a Baby Deardorff.

I beg to differ.

The V8 is the adult, the V5 is the baby (in "Special guise" or otherwise).

[Vaughn]

Yeah, I had a Rajah back in the early '90s. Made from an exotic hardwood, it looked great. It too was a 5x7 body, but had a 4x5 revolving back. To this day, I regret trading it for a box of lenses—which were then sold off at the Houston Camera Show.

Mine also came with the 4x5 revolving back -- and a 210/6.8 Computar in a Copal 1 shutter. $535 as a kit, new, if I remember right. I hauled that camera hitch-hiking in NZ for three months. The 4x5 revolving back had a massive light leak where the metal attached to the wood...as I found out after returning home. The San Diego camera shop fixed it for free -- and feeling a little guilty about my 3 months of ruined negatives, the shop owner sold me a new Gitzo Studex (300) for $100.

The Rajah was eventually stolen -- and replaced with an 8x10!

PS -- I like gridded GG's, especially for landscapes -- nice for horizon lines and leaning trees.

[Bob Salomon]

But not my Linhof..... (smiling smiley)

Even your Linhof.

[E. von Hoegh]

I beg to differ.

The V8 is the adult, the V5 is the baby (in "Special guise" or otherwise).

The "Baby Deardorff" is the V4 OS made from about 1936 to about 1949. It was smaller than the V5 and few were made.

http://deardorffcameras.0catch.com/

[Dan95]

I wonder whether this would be bright enough

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yanke-4x5-Gr...#ht_2420wt_927

[E. von Hoegh]

I wonder whether this would be bright enough

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yanke-4x5-Gr...#ht_2420wt_927

The brightest groundglass is an adequate darkcloth and patience while your eyeballs accomodate to the light, much the same way that the sharpest lens is a sturdy tripod. (winking smiley)