Deardorff Cameras: Still In Production Or A Thing Of Past?

Deardorff cameras are no longer being mass-produced, with the last year of production being 1988. However, according to some sources, they are still being produced in small quantities, built to the original Chicago specifications. Deardorff cameras were manufactured from 1923 to 1988 and were used by professional photographic studios. The company was founded by Laben F. Deardorff, who was born in 1862 and had a creative mind, always thinking of and making new things. Deardorff cameras are large-format wooden construction cameras, with most models made of mahogany. The cameras were hand-finished, with metalwork polished and rubbed with French emery to achieve a microscope-like finish.

Deardorff cameras are still being made in small quantities

Deardorff cameras are still being made, but only in small quantities. The company, L.F. Deardorff & Sons Inc., manufactured wooden-construction, large-format 4"x5" and larger bellows view cameras from 1923 until 1988. The founder, Laben F. Deardorff, was born in 1862 in Preble County, Ohio, and moved to Chicago in 1882. Before starting his company, he worked for several photography-related businesses and invented a Petzval-type portrait lens.

The first Deardorff camera, the V8 (or VO8), was built in Chicago in 1923. The company's large-format, wooden construction cameras became a staple in professional photography studios. Almost all Deardorff cameras were made of mahogany, with nickel-plated brass hardware. They were also available in Spanish cedar.

The Deardorff 8x10 is the archetypal wooden field camera. It comes in two varieties: with and without front swing. The addition of front swing allowed for more flexibility in photography, as it enabled photographers to capture architectural shots with a wide lens more easily.

Today, Deardorff cameras are sought-after collector's items, with those in mint condition fetching a high price at auction. Photographers who use Deardorff cameras often acquire them second-hand and may need to restore them, replacing parts such as bellows, handles, and screws.

Despite the company's closure in 1988, Deardorff cameras are still being produced in limited quantities, adhering to the original Chicago specifications.

They are built to original Chicago specifications

Deardorff cameras are still being made, but only in small quantities. They are built to original Chicago specifications, and this has been the case since the company's last year of production in 1988.

The first Deardorff camera, the V8 (or VO8), was built in Chicago in 1923. The company, L.F. Deardorff & Sons Inc., was a manufacturer of wooden-construction, large-format 4"x5" and larger bellows view cameras. The V8 was the first of 15 models built that year. The following year, 50 units were built, and in 1925, 175 units were constructed.

The Deardorff 8x10 is the archetypal wooden field camera, manufactured in Chicago and available with or without front swing. The camera is made of mahogany with nickel-plated brass hardware. It features a range of movements, including rise, fall, swing, and tilt. The Deardorff 8x10 is compact and portable, folding down to the size of a wooden briefcase.

The Deardorff name is famous for its large-format, wooden construction cameras. These cameras were a staple in professional photography studios and were manufactured from 1923 until 1988. The company's founder, Laben F. Deardorff, previously worked as a repairman for the Rochester Camera Company in the 1890s. Deardorff's expertise in camera repair and modification informed the design of his own cameras, which featured a range of movements that offered photographers more functionality and flexibility.

Today, Deardorff cameras are sought-after collector's items, with those in mint condition fetching high prices at auction. Despite the company's closure in 1988, a limited number of Deardorff cameras are still being produced, adhering to the original Chicago specifications that made the brand renowned.

The first Deardorff camera was built in 1923

Laban F. Deardorff, also known as Laben F. Deardorff, had a long history with cameras before creating his own. He worked as a camera repairman for nearly 30 years, including a stint at the Rochester Camera Company in Rochester, New York, during the 1890s. During this time, he gained expertise in modifying existing view cameras to enhance their performance, a skill that would prove invaluable in his future endeavours.

In the early 1920s, Deardorff decided to build his own camera, influenced by the English Folding Field camera design of the 1870s or 1880s. He saw a need for a camera that incorporated the functionalities of the modified cameras he had worked on. The result was the first Deardorff camera, the V8 (or VO8), introduced in 1923.

The initial production run of the V8 model included 15 units, setting the stage for subsequent years of refinement and increased production. Deardorff cameras were known for their large-format, wooden construction, with almost all models crafted from mahogany. Over the years, the company introduced various innovations and improvements, such as nickel plating, stainless steel, and changes in wood type.

The Deardorff camera stood out for its swing and tilt movements, offering photographers versatility in their compositions. The early models featured rear swing and tilt, triple extension bed, front tilt, and a rising lens board panel. This attention to functionality and craftsmanship earned Deardorff cameras a reputation for reliability and durability, favoured by professional photographic studios.

Today, Deardorff cameras are no longer mass-produced, but they continue to be crafted in small quantities, faithfully adhering to the original Chicago specifications. These cameras remain sought-after by collectors and photographers alike, with well-maintained units commanding high prices on auction sites.

The Deardorff 8x10 is the archetypal wooden field camera

The Deardorff 8x10 offers a range of features, including rise, fall, swing, and tilt functions. It also has a unique feature where the lens panel can move up and down independently of the rest of the standard, allowing for more flexibility in composing shots. However, it lacks shift capabilities, which some photographers may find limiting. Despite this, the Deardorff 8x10 is a versatile camera that can handle a wide range of focal lengths.

The Deardorff 8x10 is known for its smooth and intuitive operation, rugged reliability, and compact design. It weighs around 12 pounds, which is standard for a camera of its type. While it may not excel in capturing architectural shots with wide lenses due to stiff old bellows, it performs well in various genres, including landscape, architecture, and portraiture.

Today, Deardorff cameras are no longer in mass production, but limited quantities are still being made to the original Chicago specifications. Those interested in acquiring a Deardorff camera will find them on auction sites and photography equipment marketplaces, mostly in used condition.

Deardorff cameras are highly sought-after by collectors

Laban F. Deardorff, the founder of L.F. Deardorff & Sons Inc., worked as a camera repairman for almost three decades before he built the first 8x10 Deardorff. His extensive knowledge of camera mechanics and optical advantages of specific movements informed the design of his own camera. Deardorff's experience and reputation for modifying existing cameras to have more movements, such as front tilt and swing, meant that his own creation was highly anticipated.

Deardorff cameras are also significant because they were designed to address specific challenges faced by photographers and architects. For instance, the rising lens board panel allowed photographers to change the image position without needing to refocus or adjust the tilt setting. This feature was developed in response to requests from photographers and architects who wanted a camera that could capture images of buildings with parallel lines.

Deardorff cameras are also notable for their use of mahogany wood, which was chosen for its durability. While the cameras were originally handmade, the high demand led the company to transition to batch production in 1930. This shift involved outsourcing the manufacturing of many metal parts, marking a significant change in the production process.

Today, Deardorff cameras are still produced in small quantities by a different company, adhering to the original Chicago specifications. The cameras remain functional and are sought after by collectors and photographers interested in experimenting with retro large-format cameras.

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