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11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
This was last week in High Point, North Carolina. It was in the High Point Museum that had a large display of the old furniture factory. I presume this 11x14 Deardorff studio camera was used to photograph the factory and its products. Btw, the museum has a small display about John Coltrane and in the city there is a statue of him.
[img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/821/4...745994c3_c.jpgA7203081 by blazingshutters, on Flickr[/img]
[img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/797/4...fff46502_c.jpgA7203082 by blazingshutters, on Flickr[/img]
[img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/869/4...d45c551e_c.jpgA7203081-2 by blazingshutters, on Flickr[/img]
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
are those cranks factory?
looks like one can focus from the rear with those
that's handy
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Randy Moe has one of these.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DrTang
are those cranks factory?
They look like all the cranks/knobs I've used on 11x14 Deardorff studio/commercial cameras. It does look to me like they repainted the standards and knobs/cranks though. They probably where scratched up so to make the camera look bad & more beat then it was. They just look to "perfect" for the condition of the rest of the camera. Which is not bad at all. The camera looks good.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
And where'd the lens go...? It probably made its way to a forum member here.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
C'mon...the lens is there - that big piece of glass right in front! Oh...just realized that its probably a piece of plexiglass - would never work!
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Guilty!
I have one in my shed. I need to get it into this new studio. This one is missing the 2 center frames and 2 additional bellows for 72" of extension. Looks like original bellows.
The rearward wood handle easily tilts the camera 360 degrees. A child can move it. The bottom left handle is a little more work. It lifts the whole camera up and down using bicycle chains you can see and internal and lead counterbalance. Originally the 4" steel tubes could be ordered up to 20 feet tall. Mine came with 13ft and I had to cut to 7.5 ft. Nonetheles with that it can still put the top of the camera at over 10 ft. Or bottom, your choice. Everything locks down tightly.
Full tilts and swing front and rear with the front rise and shift. 8" lensboards. It will not flinch at a 25lb lens as another owner showed me. He put a sandbag in the lens board hole.
Nothing except lensboards interchanges to a V11. Even the back is bigger. I have 5X7, 8X10, 10X12 and of course 11X14 backs. The 11X14 back was reworked by Richard Ritter with his back and bail lift.
This is the camera I prefer to use and why I am selling my Chamonix.
Here is the day I got my new Turner bellows which copy the OE. I was waiting for RR to finish the back. 5X7 back with full extension.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4606/...7ef54993_b.jpg1929 S11 Deardorff by moe.randy, on Flickr
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
FWIW, I have an 11x14 DearDorff identical to the one shown above. Three sets of bellows.
The stands were originally offered (stock) in 9' (the one I have) and 13'. This, by the way, was the camera that photographed Marilyn Monroe (not mine, of course), with the photographs appearing in the very first Playboy. When I got the camera there was an 8x10 back and a 4x5 reducing back (one of them rotates...) but no 11x14 back. I contacted Jack DearDorff, who finagled the pieces (including a DearDorff ground glass and springs) I needed for the back. We borrowed an 11x14 back from a company that had used them for furniture photography and duplicated that. Measurements have it bang on, and the resulting photographs are gorgeous.
I had to buy the Medical "X-Ray" holders because the wooden ones I have are a bit splintered.
The only lensboard I have adapts Sinar lensboards. I've used it with a lot of lenses (the camera came with a 420mm) and I've used darned near the whole length of the 6 feet of bellows on some photographs.
At this point, sadly, it's sitting in a storage unit.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Mine is no longer in the shed. Peter De Smidt drove 1000 miles round trip to help me assemble it in my new studio.
I already thanked Peter, and I will again.
Thanks, Peter!
I find it fun to use. It takes up 12 sq ft feet of floor space when stored. I raise the camera to the ceiling and put my gear table with filmholders under it.
Only 500 made and most were scrapped long ago.
More info here.
And here, right here on LFPF
How not to move one. Take it apart.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Randy Moe
Guilty!
This is the camera I prefer to use and why I am selling my Chamonix.
It's impressive, but all in all I'd rather hike with the Chamonix.
Kent in SD
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I have this same exact setup. It was in storage until I read about people using x-ray film in LF photography. I am now shooting 11x14 x-ray film and making contact prints. I shortened the stand to 6'. I have all the reducing backs and extension bellows. It is a beautiful camera.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Yes it is, I really like mine and lucky to find it.
I may convert the 10X12 back to use an 8X10 Deardorff slider back.
Of course I am not hiking with it. I am happy to walk again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leondf
I have this same exact setup. It was in storage until I read about people using x-ray film in LF photography. I am now shooting 11x14 x-ray film and making contact prints. I shortened the stand to 6'. I have all the reducing backs and extension bellows. It is a beautiful camera.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
It is the most beautiful camera!
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Yes, but you have a very nice one also!
I like working in my laboratory. Winter work.
But did meet some local historians, in period clothing today, that need and want a LF shooter.
A complete empty 19th century village 2 miles away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
diversey
It is the most beautiful camera!
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Your Split Oak Forest shots are incredible.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Yes, I like my V11. S11 is incredibly engineered!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Randy Moe
Yes, but you have a very nice one also!
I like working in my laboratory. Winter work.
But did meet some local historians, in period clothing today, that need and want a LF shooter.
A complete empty 19th century village 2 miles away.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leondf
Your Split Oak Forest shots are incredible.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
As I mentioned, I am now using 11x14 film. I have a 480mm Apo-Ronar in a Copal shutter, which is about a normal lens for 11x14. But I have a 890mm Apo-Nikkor that is mounted on an 11x11" metal plate. I would love to try using it for portraiture but it is an enormous lens. From a search, I see someone suggests building an extension box on a lens board, supported by a second tripod. The mount hole dimensions are 162x1.5 mm, or about 6.4". The mounting flange is 208mm, or about 8.2". Might be doable.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Read these threads.
My 890 mm Reinhold is on one box with pics and I have used a 900 mm Tessar on the SC11. At full 75" bellows extension.
Maybe I will find those images.
My Ronar 480 works fine but usually I use a APO Nikon 610 mm f 9 which is on the camera now.
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1181271
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1042709
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
More
An upside down shot in my old studio of my bike engine only
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1459637
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Randy Moe
Read these threads.
My 890 mm Reinhold is on one box with pics and I have used a 900 mm Tessar on the SC11. At full 75" bellows extension.
Maybe I will find those images.
My Ronar 480 works fine but usually I use a APO Nikon 610 mm f 9 which is on the camera now.
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1181271
Thanks for the thread references. The additional effect of the bellows distance is something I hadn't considered. Cool shots of your camera! That is an amazing setup with the Reinhold 790 mm. I need to study these threads.
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1042709
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Randy Moe
I also have a 610mm Apo Nikkor. Here's a couple of pics:
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
My sister is into woodworking. She built the box containing the electric, behind the lens shutter. It is hooked up to a darkroom timer (and flash units).
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Cool, is that a shutter box?
I put my 4" ID Packard behind the the first lens board opening.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I'm afraid I don't know what the correct terminology is. It has a leaf shutter with large leaves. There is a spring mounted drive inside that is electrically triggered. It automatically closes and resets when the power stops. My darkroom timer goes down to 1/10 second, so that's as fast as It can go. The box attaches to the camera the same way a lens board does and it has lens board receptor on the front (6"). It makes a fairly loud clunk when triggered. I like it a lot. I'd like to do something similar with my 890 mm.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I have an electric behind the lens shutter that came with the 890mm Apo-Nikkor. I was wondering if anyone knew if this has a method of flash sync built in. Also, does anyone know what type of plug that is on the board? Thanks.Attachment 192650Attachment 192651Attachment 192652
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Another question, I have a lens board adapter that came with my Commercial Deardorff. It apparently converts a 11" board holder to an 8" board holder. It is also recessed with the ability to mount the 8" lens board on either side. The way my Deardorff is configured, it takes an 8" lens board. Would anyone know if there is a configuration that takes a 11" lens board? Attachment 192653Attachment 192654
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
There can always be a custom variation. Your long lens on a 11" board most like came from a Industrial Process camera. Maybe the box is adapted to your camera for that lens.
The SC 11 is not that, but it can use that big lens, if wanted.
Your shutter is something else, perhaps operated by DC or AC and not a true Packard. https://packardshutter.com/ There were variations on the design.
I prefer the traditional Packard with Bulb and Hose as it is gentle compared to a solenoid and is easy to open the shutter for focus, or time.
I am very glad Packard still makes their long lasting product. I must have 6 installed and working.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Thanks for your response. I wasn't aware that Packard is still selling shutters. What is an "SC 11"?
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leondf
Thanks for your response. I wasn't aware that Packard is still selling shutters. What is an "SC 11"?
Your camera is called,
Studio Commercial 11X14 or short SC11, the V11 is a field camera.
Here's a start for the chase. http://deardorffcameras.0catch.com/
Much more to learn by searching.
Have fun!
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Have had the privilege of using an 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera and they were/are a beast to use but very user friendly. Worst 11x14 view camera that I have ever had the "privilege" (I use that term loosely) of using was a Sinar P converted to an 11x14 camera. Supposedly Sinar's asymmetrical movements were still able to be used/employed... not by a long shot.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I had a 8X10 P, it did not impress me, mostly due to design problems that were 'fixed' in the P2.
Really glad I didn't buy or make an 11X14 conversion as at one time I considered it.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Greg
Have had the privilege of using an 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera and they were/are a beast to use but very user friendly. Worst 11x14 view camera that I have ever had the "privilege" (I use that term loosely) of using was a Sinar P converted to an 11x14 camera. Supposedly Sinar's asymmetrical movements were still able to be used/employed... not by a long shot.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
My 890mm apo-nikkor came mounted on a heavy metal plate with an electric shutter. I decided to leave it on the metal plate and mount it independent of the camera, transferring its weight to the stand. I also attached a micro switch to enable flash and a DC power source for the shutter. Attachment 193267Attachment 193268
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Did you use an old Erector Set to fabricate the brace? OMG, a relic from youth to the rescue? Bless ya!
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I learned most of my design and construction skills, pitiful as they are, from playing with my father's Erector Set from the 1930s.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
A now banned LFPF member I met on CL sold me a few good S11 parts. I think he was banned 3 times.
But when I asked if a S11 could carry a huge lens he sent me a pic of his with a 10lb barbell sitting in The lens board hole.
A S11 can easily handle any lens. A 48” Artar was an option.
I need to find my 900 Tessar but prefer The Nikon 610 for almost everything.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jac@stafford.net
Did you use an old Erector Set to fabricate the brace? OMG, a relic from youth to the rescue? Bless ya!
It did remind me of an Erector set but I got the parts from Lowes. I'm not sure what the intended use is. I was actually quite surprised that it worked so well.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
can someone with a S11 do me a solid? measure the back 'board' outside dimension
I seem to have a 11x14 unmarked back with very Deardorff looking hardware that is 18.5" square outside dimension
was wondering if it was..infact from a S11
pix: https://www.flickr.com/gp/11191083@N00/5jF645
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Yes, 18.5" square with pin mounts
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DrTang
can someone with a S11 do me a solid? measure the back 'board' outside dimension
I seem to have a 11x14 unmarked back with very Deardorff looking hardware that is 18.5" square outside dimension
was wondering if it was..infact from a S11
pix:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/11191083@N00/5jF645
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I took some shots with my 890mm Apo-Nikkor at 1:1 magnification. It was fun to shoot with a 6' bellows, but the images are not of exceptional quality. Probably due to my skill level but I did notice this in some Apo-Nikkor literature:
Attachment 193653
And also this table:
Attachment 193654
A 480mm would provide adequate coverage up to 1:10 film to subject size ratio. I think I will go back to 610mm, as "Tin Can" has suggested, or perhaps my 480mm Apo-Ronar for 11x14 portraiture. Does anyone see an advantage to using one of these two over the other? I would expect the Apo-Nikkor to be sharper close to 1:1 magnification, but the Apo-Ronar should give more depth of field.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I shoot primarily 610 Nikon, second 480 Ronar, lastly the two 900mm lenses for fun.
But what size film are you shooting? I shoot 11X14 with this camera.
Vibrations can be be causing blur, check floor and stand vibration. I put my sandbags on the base as my current floor is shaky. Adjust the camera stand base plate so it is solid. There is a wobble point in mine.
I use an internal Packard most of the time my fancy shutters are junk. I always use strobes. As we are in studio.
I have used up to 10 pops with strong strobes, in Bulb Mode.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leondf
I took some shots with my 890mm Apo-Nikkor at 1:1 magnification. It was fun to shoot with a 6' bellows, but the images are not of exceptional quality. Probably due to my skill level but I did notice this in some Apo-Nikkor literature:
Attachment 193653
And also this table:
Attachment 193654
A 480mm would provide adequate coverage up to 1:10 film to subject size ratio. I think I will go back to 610mm, as "Tin Can" has suggested, or perhaps my 480mm Apo-Ronar for 11x14 portraiture. Does anyone see an advantage to using one of these two over the other? I would expect the Apo-Nikkor to be sharper close to 1:1 magnification, but the Apo-Ronar should give more depth of field.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tin Can
I shoot primarily 610 Nikon, second 480 Ronar, lastly the two 900mm lenses for fun.
But what size film are you shooting? I shoot 11X14 with this camera.
Vibrations can be be causing blur, check floor and stand vibration. I put my sandbags on the base as my current floor is shaky. Adjust the camera stand base plate so it is solid. There is a wobble point in mine.
I use an internal Packard most of the time my fancy shutters are junk. I always use strobes. As we are in studio.
I have used up to 10 pops with strong strobes, in Bulb Mode.
I'm shooting 11x14 xray film. Thanks for the suggestions. So, with 10 pops, I assume that is not for portraits. It would be hard not to blink through that. I hadn't thought of multiple pops, but it makes sense. 2 pops, twice the light, one more f-stop, more depth of field.
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
I have done macro and still life with multiple pops.
Never for portrait, but here is one shot on HP5 11X14. June Portraits 2019
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tin Can
I have done macro and still life with multiple pops.
Never for portrait, but here is one shot on HP5 11X14.
June Portraits 2019
Nice! I really like that. Do you remember which lens and f-stop? Have you ever taken two head shots of the same person, one with the 480 and one with the 610 and compared the two?
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Quote:
Originally Posted by
leondf
Nice! I really like that. Do you remember which lens and f-stop? Have you ever taken two head shots of the same person, one with the 480 and one with the 610 and compared the two?
It was 2 years ago before I moved everything.
I am sure it was 610mm Nikon maybe f22, 2 strobes in soft boxes.
Big Packard shutter, so about 1/25th or less.
That's an 8X10 scan on V700 laid right on glass.
I should touch up the hairline.
Got one more to develop from the same holder.
I forgot i left the film in...2 years ago...
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Thoughts regarding shooting portraits using 11x14 x-ray film with a Commercial Deardorff.
X-Ray film:
11x14 Fuji Super HR-U Medical X-ray Film for 50 cents a sheet. Who could resist? I have been exposing it at ISO 100, developing for 6 min. with Xtol. At first I used trays but had issues with scratches and uneven development, so I bought some used X-ray film processing tanks and film hangers on ebay. The tanks were in bad shape, some leaking. I patched them with Flex-Seal. I now use 6 tanks: Xtol, stop, fix, hypo, wash, photoflow. Processing with continuous agitation is easy now and the results are great. The tanks are either 3-gallon or 5-gallon. They didn't come with covers. How to store the chemicals when not in use? I decided to store them in the tanks. I noticed that large plastic vacuum storage bags are just the right size for the tanks. I put each tank in a storage bag and placed a piece of wood on top of the plastic, on top of the liquid in the tank, forcing the air out of contact with the liquid. Then I used the vacuum cleaner to vacuum seal the bag. So, in effect, I have a floating cover tank.
11x14 optics:
Thanks to Tin Can I learned that the usual rule of using a longer than normal lens for portraiture doesn't necessarily apply to large format. So I've been using my 480 mm Apo-Ronar. Using my 480mm at magnification of 1:1 (distance 2x focal length) at f90 the total depth of field is about 4.8 inches, at f64 it is 3.5 inches, at f32 it is 1.7 inches, at f22 it is 1.2 inches. I am aware that some people like shallow depth of field for portraits. Personally, I like a significant depth of field. So, I try to shoot at f90 when possible. I have two Norman 4000PS power packs. My soft box reduces the light output of the flash, making f90 impossible, so I shoot bare bulb. I also must position the lights close to the subject. My light meter has max f stop of f90. So, I set the ISO to 25 and try to get f90. That will translate to f180 at ISO 100, which will convert to f90 due to the bellows adjustment factor.
Self-Portraits:
I live alone and it's not easy to get volunteers for experimentation, so I am left with self-portraits. With such a small depth of field it is crucial to get the focus right. I built a head brace extension for the chair I use so I can be sure to reproduce my head position. I hung a piece of cardboard with print on it and a hole for my nose and positioned it to occupy the plane of my eyes when my head is against the brace. That way I can focus on the cardboard and go back, remove the cardboard and put my head against the brace.
I like the results and have made portraits of my son and my ex. However, I feel the end result doesn't quite seem to have the subtle gradation of the T-max that I used years ago shooting 4x5. There are so many factors in play it could be any one of these factors. I'm printing on Ilford multi-grade, that could be the issue. Or maybe it's the Xtol. Any thoughts?
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
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Re: 11x14 Deardorff Studio Camera
Sounds like you are preparing for volume.
I have a similar problem in my new location, few visitors happen.
Nonetheless, I persevere.
I need to copy your head rest and cardboard ideas.
I also plan to try shorter lenses 300, 360mm. Which can work too.