WISNER WOODEN FIELD CAMERAS WERE PRODUCED FROM THE EARLY 1980'S UNTIL THE SPRING OF 2006. (Deardorffs from 1923 until 1988). Wisners were based on the Dorff design.  Comparing 8x10 models. we find that:.

1) both made of mahogany,Deardorff seems to have bought better grade wood.

2)Deardorff is a matt finish, Wis a glossy varnish

3)Wisner has side swings.

4)Deardorff has an extra rise & fall in the front.

5)Deardorffs were made better, though a pound or two heavier.

6)Wisners are likely to be newer.

7)Craftsmanship is better on the Deardorff.

8) Higher resale value for the Dorffs, many of which sell for far more than the original price.

9)More old lenses turn up on Dorff lensboards.

The Wisner factory was known for lying about everything. Camera would be ready in 3 weeks, as they used to claim.  The actual time was usually 6 to 24 months. Sometimes by the time people got Wisner cameras and accessories they no longer needed them. Wisner was known to be blithely unconcerned. To make communications worse, he fired his secretary around Christmas 2004. Then he refused to answer emails and the telephone. That spring the factory was closed and everyone laid off. He continued to promise reopening dates, but few people believed them. Ron Wisner had acquired a reputation as a lier by this time and few people wanted his cameras, even the used ones. The cameras wert known for defects. Big obvious ones. Also for design flaws: The oft promoted Technical Field models were the same as the regular models, except they contained a useless Wisner innovation which added pounds to the camera. The new bellows on the 11x14P did not permit the use of normally used wide lenses. Wisner was so oblivious he doesn't know it. It seems that the black anodized cameras were just dipped in black paint. Their filmholders were a disgrace, they were so badly made and designed. 

All the Wisner sizes are made by Lotus and Ebony, both top level camera makers.