Zone VI ( Wista ) vs Deardorff 4x5

[C. D. Keth]

I'd take the wista.

[Graybeard]

Am being offered a Zone VI for 550$, and a Deardroff 5x7 FS for 1100$. If I were to get the Dorff, I would need to get a few lens boards, since the ones I have are Linhof boards which fit the Zone VI.

I really want the Deardorff, been lusting for one since I was a wee little lad. The Zone VI is a stunner, rosewood. And the gold plated knobs are quite sexy.

The widest lens I use is a 90.

If you were in my shoes, which would you choose?

Barry Cochran (dba attrevida/LF Deardorff) offers a nice metal adaptor which fits Linhof boards to baby Deardorffs.

[joselsgil]

Zone VI made by Wita or someone else?

Bob,

I believe it is the Wista model, sold under the Zone VI name. Attached are two photos. One is of the camera and the other, is were it keeps getting loose. I usually remove the bellows and tighten the screw. Also, the hole that was drilled for the screw has increased in diameter over the years, causing a sloppy back. This is a problem when photographing in windy conditions. I sleeved the hole with a teflon bushing to help stabilize the back. These are just petty small problems, but they are present.


Jose

[scm]

The camera in the photo is a 4th generation Zone VI that was made in-house by Zone VI, not a 2nd generation Wista/Zone VI. The Wista is smaller, has only 12" of bellows and the bellows aren't interchangeable, among other differences.

A drop of blue Locktight (or super-glue in a pinch) on the threads just outside of the camera body will keep that bushing from coming loose again.

[Dan95]

The Deardorff sold for a little over 1300USD. A tad too much since it's a beater.

Sealed the deal for the Wista/Zone VI at 500USD+45USD shipping to Malaysia.

[E. von Hoegh]

Am being offered a Zone VI for 550$, and a Deardroff 5x7 FS for 1100$. If I were to get the Dorff, I would need to get a few lens boards, since the ones I have are Linhof boards which fit the Zone VI.

I really want the Deardorff, been lusting for one since I was a wee little lad. The Zone VI is a stunner, rosewood. And the gold plated knobs are quite sexy.

The widest lens I use is a 90.

If you were in my shoes, which would you choose?

The Deardorff. No contest. Those sexy pimped-out knobs on the Zone VI will look just like crap after you use the thing for 10 or 15 years. The short bellows will be a problem if you want to use a lens over 300mm or so.

[E. von Hoegh]

Barry Cochran (dba attrevida/LF Deardorff) offers a nice metal adaptor which fits Linhof boards to baby Deardorffs.

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

[Dan95]

Aw man in a it of a predicament, problems with seller's paypal.

[Bob Salomon]

The Deardorff. No contest. Those sexy pimped-out knobs on the Zone VI will look just like crap after you use the thing for 10 or 15 years. The short bellows will be a problem if you want to use a lens over 300mm or so.

A Zone VI Wista is already older then 15 years.

[E. von Hoegh]

A Zone VI Wista is already older then 15 years.

But has it been used those years? The fact that the gold bling is still there leads me to think not.