Deardorff 5X7 Folding View Camera with Front Swings, with 4X5 Reducing Back Review

The Deardorff 5x7 folding view camera is a classic large-format field camera that has been a staple of fine-art and architectural photography for decades. This particular unit comes with front swing movements for perspective control and includes a 4x5 reducing back, allowing shooters to use the more common and economical 4x5 sheet film when desired. It's a used bargain-condition example priced at $938 through KEH.

Deardorff cameras are known for their solid mahogany and cherry construction, precision movements, and durability. The 5x7 format offers a sweet spot between the portability of 4x5 and the resolution of 8x10, and the inclusion of the reducing back adds versatility. As a folding field camera, it's more portable than monorail designs, though still substantial to carry. The bargain condition grade means this unit will show significant cosmetic wear and may have functional imperfections, so prospective buyers should expect a working camera that shows its age and use. This is a tool for photographers committed to large-format work who understand the tradeoffs of buying used gear in lower condition grades.