5x7 Deardorff lensboard

**peter schrager** · 11-Jul-2021, 12:43

What size are the lens boards for the above camera
Thanks in advance!!
Peter

**Tracy Storer** · 11-Jul-2021, 13:06

Pretty sure the lensboard size changed once or twice over the years. Mine (1937) take 4.5" x 4.5" boards with rounded corners. The Deardorff catalog reproduced over at Cameraeccentric says 4x4, and I think they took 4.5 x4.5 boards with square corners at one point as well.

**Eric Woodbury** · 11-Jul-2021, 14:30

I had an aluminum adapter machined that fits where the lensboard goes and accepts the semi-standard Linhof / Technica / Wista. You wouldn't even know it is there and uses the Deardorff slider / retainer. Then use any lens on any camera.

**Mark Crabtree** · 12-Jul-2021, 08:04

Originally Posted by Tracy Storer

Pretty sure the lensboard size changed once or twice over the years. Mine (1937) take 4.5" x 4.5" boards with rounded corners. The Deardorff catalog reproduced over at Cameraeccentric says 4x4, and I think they took 4.5 x4.5 boards with square corners at one point as well.

Yes. You will need to know the actual Deardorff to know that. I have a variety of board and adapters in both sizes, though my camera takes 4x4" which I've standardized on. Let me know if you need specifics on the larger size and I'll see what I have. As you may know, the 4x5 Special is the very same camera though I can't say for certain it was offered with both size boards.