v11 deardorff or chamoix 16x20 camera?

[phillip2446]

hi
right now i am shooting on an 8x10 dorff.
in the next few months, i plan on going to the next level to 11x14 or 16x20.
i can't decide if i go with a dorff v11 field camera or go with the chamoix 16x10 which allows me to shoot 11x14 as well
i shoot portraits in studio and on location but want to take it to the next level.
any pros or cons for either.
take out the money factor because i don't want that to be a issue right now
it will be later but for now. just the camera.

thanks

phil

[David Lobato]

I don't know for sure but a V11 should take your V8 lens boards with current lenses. I have a Deardorff V8 and an 11x14 Empire State and wish the lens boards were common sizes. My 8x10 lenses cover 11x14 and it would be much more convenient if they could swap that easy.

[AuditorOne]

I haven't owned it very long but I absolutely love working with my V8 so if I were in your shoes I wouldn't hesitate to buy the V11. I have no idea whether or not the Chamoix is a good camera or not but the Deardorffs are works of art in addition to being great cameras.

[JosephBurke]

Does this mean that the original poster has either of the two, V-11 or the 16x20, available to him or her? The V-11's aren't too common and I have no idea on the 16x20.

[Joe Smigiel]

Do you like 11x14 prints? Do you like 16x20 prints? Which, if any, is your print size preference? That's what I would base the decision on.

Personally, I don't care for 16x20s, but I do like 11x14s. That's why I have an 11x14 camera and don't want anything bigger. (Well, 14x17 is a nice size too.)

[Tin Can]

I am right now moving to 11X14 for studio portraits, but all I can think about is how I will modify my camera to 14X17.

We are always in a size war.

[BILL3075]

In my opinion, better to go with a 14x17 & add a 11x14 reducing back.


I am right now moving to 11X14 for studio portraits, but all I can think about is how I will modify my camera to 14X17.

We are always in a size war.

[Vaughn]

That's the answer -- a 16x20 with reducing backs for the studio, and the 11x14 for field work!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I built what I consider a Century studio/field camera. It is my 14x17 and I would go with this size over 16x20 due to the availability of x-ray film which is wonderful for portraits BTW. My camera folds and is designed to go out in the field and it fits on my Century Studio stand. Now I do have the 11x14 8A and a dedicated 11x14 field camera as well so no need for reducing backs.

[Tin Can]

I have 8x10 Ansco Studio. A Levy Process camera converted to 11X14, which will soon have 14X17 extension back and B&J front extension to get me to 50" of bellows and movements. Not pretty, but not ugly and I only have $300.00 in both cameras, with stands and improvement. My RD 19" was a very good deal, with a big Nu-Arc vacuum frame. Total spent $500.00.

btw, I don't use regular holders, too expensive.

X-Ray puts me in business for cheap.

Gotta go, my 4X5 student is here.


I built what I consider a Century studio/field camera. It is my 14x17 and I would go with this size over 16x20 due to the availability of x-ray film which is wonderful for portraits BTW. My camera folds and is designed to go out in the field and it fits on my Century Studio stand. Now I do have the 11x14 8A and a dedicated 11x14 field camera as well so no need for reducing backs.

[Rob Vinnedge]

I have a 4x5 and 8x10 Chamonix and love the quality, craftsmanship, ease of use, light weight, and price of their cameras. I am now preparing to buy their 16x20 with a 14x17 reducing back for the very reason you are considering their 16x20 with an 11x14 back. You can't go wrong with Chamonix. Hugo Zhang is great to work with, and Chamonix ships immediately.

[Tin Can]

But, I don't play the Lottery!

lol


I have a 4x5 and 8x10 Chamonix and love the quality, craftsmanship, ease of use, light weight, and price of their cameras. I am now preparing to buy their 16x20 with a 14x17 reducing back for the very reason you are considering their 16x20 with an 11x14 back. You can't go wrong with Chamonix. Hugo Zhang is great to work with, and Chamonix ships immediately.

[Phil Hudson]

If you enjoy the Deardorff "feel" I echo the sentiment that it is a nice idea to "upsize" from a V8 to a V11. That said I have found that my V11 is really too big and heavy for the kind of things that I used my 8x10 for so it isn't exactly a straight swap. Many of the newer 11x14s (Chamonix springs to mind) are considerably lighter so might be a better bet if you are wanting to be at all portable. They might even end up cheaper due to the scarceness of V11s.......

V11s do use the same lens boards as the V8, or at least mine does.

[John Kasaian]

What an envy-able problem to have!
I'd be no help, I'm afraid, but when I think of prints from those negatives I'm thinking "contacts" and 11x14 is the darn near perfect big head format.
So if you get the 16x20 by all means consider getting a reducing back for it.
My 2-cents (and worth exactly what ya paid for it! :) )

[evan clarke]

I have had Deardorffs and nownhave an 11x14 and 8x10 Chamonix. I'm a woodworker and make very fancy, precise pool,cues for a living. If you think Deardorffs are works of art, you should know that the Cahamonix blows them away. My new 8x10 is almost the finest wooden object I've ever seen. My 11x14 kit is lighter than my 4x5 Arca kit, you should try to see a Cham in person...Evan Clarke

[M. Legan]

Have you considered a Wisner 16x20? Long bellows draw and while not a lightweight good for studio and manageable in the field with some muscle and not too far to go from the truck.

[Scott Davis]

I have a Canham 14x17 that I do take in the field from time to time. Canhams have their quirks, but I do love the camera overall. What's not to like about a sub- 20 lb. 14x17? It has enough bellows draw to exceed 1:1 macro using a Nikkor 450 M.

[TheDeardorffGuy]

This is an interesting thread. One I found myself in 20 years ago. I was shooting my V8 and was just not happy. They were after 8x10 in size and that was not big enough. I found a V11 and thought I was all set. But still not big enough. I had an old early Empire State 14x17. I went to a friend who was a radiologist and he gave me some ugly but working X ray holders. I started shooting. Now everything just got BIG. The camera, Holders, Contact frame etc..............HELP! Then a 8x10 Fotar enlarger came my way. Oh boy. I set it up and enlarged my first 8x10 neg to 20X24. With practice this became my preferred method of making big prints. And all I have to do is lug my V8 like I was doing all along....
Ken