Dead River Trail, Illinois State Beach Park, Zion, IL

 Film: Ilford HP5+ 400

Developer: Xtol 1:1

Camera: Tachihara 4x5

Scanner: Epson 4990

Film: Ilford Delta 100

Developer: Xtol 1:1

Camera: Tachihara 4x5

Scanner: Epson 4990

Deardorff 11x14 (V11) View Camera

I recently purchased a Deardorff 11x14 view camera (V11). This 11x14 camera is hard to find nowadays. Original Deardorff Co stopped operating in 1988. It only produced 185-250 11x14 cameras, serial numbers ranges from 100 to 600s from Deardorff Co recording book that Ken H currently clasps in his hands. Mine is 380s and was produced between 1986 to 1988, Three 11x14 cameras were made during those two years according to Ken H. Deardorffs V11 was first developed in the 1940s. The V11 saw many variations. The earliest were built without front swings. Many were built for the U.S. Marine Corps. The cast metal parts were painted silver. After the war front swings were added. By the 60s the cast metal parts were painted in  a gray crinkle paint. Depending on bellows material it can use a 90mm lens and up to a 44 inch lens. It costed $5,500 in 1983, which equals $13,212 in 2016.

Specifications:
6x6 Inch (152mm) Round Corner Lens Board
42” (1067mm) Maximum Bellows Draw
20 x 17 ½ x 6 Inch (508x445x152mm) Outer Dimensions
Tripod Mount ⅜-16 Oversize with ¼-20 Adapter
Back Size 16 ⅞” (429mm) Square
Front Swing 20⁰
Front Center Tilt 30⁰
Rear Swing 20⁰
Rear Base Tilt 30⁰
Total Front Rise & Fall 9 ¾” (248mm)
Shortest Wide Angle Lens: 5 inches (127mm)
Longest Lens, No Movement: 42” (1067mm)
Weight, with Lens Board: 28 Pounds (12.7Kg)