Intrepid

Intrepid 4×5 (this is an earlier model: the current camera has the same aluminium base and rear focusing screw as the 5x7 below) image by Alex Luyckx (Image rights)

Intrepid 5x7: note the newer corner frame at the rear. image by John Gately (Image rights)

The Intrepid is a range of large format field cameras, made by Intrepid Camera, a start-up founded in 2015 by two young product designers in Brighton, England. They used a Kickstarter campaign to launch the first generation of the moderately-priced Intrepid 4×5 camera in 2015, and the camera soon sold out. The price of the camera was kept low by choice of materials: the main elements were at first made from thick plywood or 3D printed PETG, with some aluminium parts. Later models of the cameras (5x7 and 8x10-inch models are also made) have an aluminium base, and as of 2024, hardwood panels can also be selected for the 4x5 camera (though for a 60% increase in the price). The 4x5-inch camera weighs 1.3kg without lens, filmholder, etc. This lightweight camera is obviously easier to carry than a traditional 4x5 (perhaps for hiking); and users may also find that they don't need such a heavy tripod.

As of 2024, the cameras offered are:

• Intrepid 4x5 (currently the 5th model of this) in several finishes:
  • Birch plywood panels, not painted or stained but sealed with wax;
  • Black 3D-printed PETG panels;
  • Hardwood panels: walnut, cherry, or beech (the hardwood option costs 540 UK pounds as of 2024, compared to 350 pounds for the plywood model).
• Intrepid 8x10, plywood or black.
• Intrepid 5x7, plywood only - as in the lower photo here.

The black cameras are supplied with black bellows; natural-colour cameras come with a choice of black, red, green or blue bellows. The bellows can be extended between 75 - 300mm (almost double extension); this is therefore more or less the range of lenses that can be used (a 75mm lens requires a recessed lens-board (which is offered as an accessory); a 300mm won't focus much below infinity). Replacement bellows are also offered (in two more colours), and a bag bellows is promised (as of February 2024).

The first two generations of the camera allowed only front camera movements (though a degree of rear tilt could be achieved by tilting the base and compensating with front movements). Later cameras allow rear tilt. The makers give the following limits: Front: 42mm rise, 30mm fall, +/- 45° tilt, +/- 45° swing; Rear: +/- 45° tilt

From the end of 2018, Intrepid has offered a kit to use the 4x5 camera as an enlarger. This comprises an LED light-panel in place of a traditional lamp-house, plus negative holders etc. Two kits are offered, for 35mm - 120 size, and for 4x5-inch.

Links

• About Intrepid Camera
• About the enlarger kit in photoscala (in German)