My new 8x10 Dorff and lens...

[Capocheny]

Greetings All,

Well, as some of you fellows know... I had been in search for a great Dorff 8x10 for quite some time. When I first started looking at formats larger than my 4x5... I had posted questions about 5x7 and 8x10. Of course, there were advocates on both sides of the field and I received some fabulous information. So, the long and short of it was that I ended up with a beautifully restored 5x7/4x5 with a 4x5 reducing back. I have been using this for the past 8 or so months!

Until... that is, I started getting the itch to go something a tad bit larger than 5x7. My original intent had been to do contact printing with the 5x7!

Well, a short while ago, my trembling fingers ever so gently tapped the "return" key on my keypad while an auction was just about to end on a gorgeous 8x10 Deardorff. It had been restored back about 12 years ago by a physician friend of another physician (the seller.) And, the seller mentioned that he hadn't used it very much at all during the past 8 or so years. I ended up winning the auction and am now the very proud owner of a piece of Americana photographic history. The camera is in absolutely beautiful condition. The color of the lens board differs from the camera body but... what the heck! It's in nice shape and is supporting a Bausch & Lomb Protar V 183 mm EF f18. The lens is about the size of a silver dollar... perhaps, a tad bit larger than that. There is no shutter built into this lens so it looks like it'll be a hat-on, hat-off proposition.

The other lenses I have that can be used on this beauty include a 240 Nikkor f5.6 and 360 Symmar f6.8. I'm just waiting for a lens board adapter for use with these two lenses. The camera came with some out-dated Tri-X and one holder... so, I loaded the sucker before I left on a business trip this past weekend. What a feeling to be loading such a big sheet of film... quite different than 5x7 or 4x5!

Herein lies my question... is there anybody out there that has used this particular lens? Or, familiar with its history and quality?

Any other words of wisdom and/or thoughts that you experienced 8x10 Dorff users can offer to this neophyte 8x10 user would be much appreciated!

Thank you in advance...

Cheers

[Ben Hopson]

I can't help with the lens, but congrats on your new Dorff. I think I was also watching that one. I did end up purchasing an 8X10 Deardorff in almost mint condition the other day and now I'm anxiously awaiting delivery. I still have to make lensboards and acquire filmholders, but I can deal with that over the next week or two.

Enjoy your 8X10,

Ben

[Capocheny]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the note... it was definitely one of these "last minute, heart-pumping" decisions to tap the enter button!

I'll be looking forward to hearing your comments about the "beast." It's not a small camera by any stretch of the imagination. But, I KNOW it's much smaller than a 11x14 or 16x20!

My camera came with the one holder and I've just succeeded in picking up a few more. I'm waiting for those to come in...

What are you shooting?

I hope your camera comes in in as nice a shape as mine did!

Cheers

[Brian Ellis]

Congratulations, I've owned two Deardorffs, both in mint condition, sometimes I wish I hadn't sold them but all the weight of 8x10 was confining me to very limited locations. Deardorffs are wonderful cameras, elegantly simple, beautfully made, and easy to operate. I suspect you'll enjoy using it like no other camera you've ever owned.

[Oren Grad]

The Series V Protar is one of those classics with a distinctive claim to fame - it delivers extreme coverage when stopped down. You should have room for movement on 8x10 with yours, which is pretty spiffy for a tiny lens of that focal length. (The longer ones, when they turn up, are usually bid up pretty high by ULF users.) By all means get yourself a hat, give it a try and see what you think!

[Capocheny]

Congratulations, I've owned two Deardorffs, both in mint condition, sometimes I wish I hadn't sold them but all the weight of 8x10 was confining me to very limited locations. Deardorffs are wonderful cameras, elegantly simple, beautfully made, and easy to operate. I suspect you'll enjoy using it like no other camera you've ever owned.

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the note. I am having fun using the 5x7 version I have! And, it's quite a bit lighter than the 8x10. I'll start using it more and more in the very near future. Who knows? You might even see me with it during our workshop with Per! But, chances are... I'll be most likely using the 5x7 and the 8x10 will be staying indoors.

At the rate prices are increasing for these restored 8x10 Dorffs... it may supplement my retirement!!! Just kidding!

Cheers

[Ben Hopson]

Hi Ben,

"Thanks for the note... it was definitely one of these "last minute, heart-pumping" decisions to tap the enter button! "

I know exactly what you mean!


"I'll be looking forward to hearing your comments about the "beast." It's not a small camera by any stretch of the imagination. But, I KNOW it's much smaller than a 11x14 or 16x20! "

I know they are heavy cameras, but I often find myself in places where I don't have to hike too far. For the long walks I still have the 4X5.

"My camera came with the one holder and I've just succeeded in picking up a few more. I'm waiting for those to come in... "

I'm still trying to find some holders at a good price. I would like to get a few for now just to get started with 8X10.

"What are you shooting?"

If you mean my current camera, it is an Ebony SV45U2.

"I hope your camera comes in in as nice a shape as mine did! "

Me too! Sounds like you got a beauty.

Ben



Cheers

[Eric Leppanen]

http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/test/NikPro.html

[Capocheny]

Hi Oren,

Thanks for the info... I'm looking forward to giving it a try! If nothing else... the lens came mounted on a gorgeous Deardorff board! Gotta like that.

Eric,

Thanks for the link... only the good people on this site would have come up with that link! I did do a google on the lens but sure didn't come up with that one.

Ben,

Isn't it funny how we can ALL relate to camera purchases?

After shooting with 5x7, the use of my 4x5 is diminishing a little bit more and more with each passing day. It'll be interesting to see how things change going forward now that I have the 8x10.

The Ebony is a pretty fine camera too. Let me know how things change in your circumstance, ok? I take it you do a fair amount of landscape work? Or, shooting outside the studio?

I'm quite happy with my camera. I'll have to put some film through it though. Maybe, this weekend!

I paid $40 per holder... fyi.

Cheers

[Ed K.]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Advice:Best thing to do with a nice 'Dorf is to just start making images! You might like some things if you don't already have them:

A foam fitted case - like a Pelican. Mine travels on bumpy dirt roads with no damage

Some levels for front and rear

A long air operated cable release so that you can step on it to do self portraits, which are a very cool way to get cooperative subjects so that you can start right away!

A compendium bellows - if you can't rig one, the Lee Filter holder compendium with self supporing bellows works very well for normal - tele lenses

A nice custom dark cloth that fits around the rear and forms a tube plus some strong reading glasses for a quick loupe

If you shoot black and white, and have no Jobo, skip the pain and just bite the bullet. Get the big drum and at least a CPA2 to turn it - you'll waste so much less film that way

A Harrison changing tent if you have to load on location - small, and excellent, plus easy to keep clean

Some Wheaties for gear lugging, motivation to shoot great photos, and a tad of luck along with your talent.

And otherwise, no matter what anyone says, you've got to at least shoot a few color slides to drop the jaws of anyone who disbelieves your camera's capability. Fun to tell them that they are looking at the piece of film that was actually in the camera when they ask you how you got that enlargement done!

You're lucky to have a nice one. I paid for a very nice one but ended up with a user. The eBlah was not friendly to me on that deal, but it mine at least works great. Be thankful that you're not facing 6 months without your camera and two grand to restore it.

It is such a simple camera to use, and it becomes a dear old friend very quickly. I think we should establish a registry and then give them names ( like the famous violins ); perhaps make a movie - "The Red Deardorff" or something? I'd bet if mine could talk, it would tell the tales of a couple dozen photographers who profited or attempted to reach new heights; Tales of joy, tales of bankruptcy, tales of madness and many stories of adventure. She doesn't kiss and tell however, her past only reveals her birthplace and first owner in Chicago.