8×10 Deardorff Camera

This is a still introduction to my Dorff 8×10 camera. OK, I know stills are lame on you-tube, but I’m still getting my feet wet trying to learn this movie software and how to use a digital camera. I don’t know why the pics don’t translate up to 720–they were recorded tack sharp in HD. Must have to do with the Sherif software . . . The next in this series will show movements this Dorff has to offer in live time–hopefully sharper. Meanwhile, things to know if you are interested in a V8 camera: it weights 13 lbs.–so on the heavy side, however, the camera sits exceptionally well on a tripod and is incredibly sturdy. Dorffs were made in other sizes: there is a “Baby” which is a 4×5 size. These are fairly rare, but if you are in seach of an ultimate 4×5, the Baby might be worth the effort and $ . (One thing, though, it does not have interchangable bellows). Dorffs also came in 5×7, a few in 10×12, and you do see some still in 11×14. This 8×10 V8 was called the “Field Version,” — that’s as opposed to the studio camera version that never left a portrait studio. You will want to stay within a few miles of your car with the V8. Virtually all of the cameras are made out of a very close grained Mohogany wood–well above the standard Mohogs you see in lessor cameras of the day–Kodak F2, etc. In subsequent videos I will talk about front swings and use of a packard shutter, and how to make one for this camera . . . Oh, before people ask, the smaller lens in the pics was a Kodak 13 …