I cant imagine myself ever having the patience to shoot large format, but I could look at large format work in awe all day. Keep it coming, Kyle. Love to see it.
Keep in mind that now that you have a camera with rear shift, you can take advantage of that to do panoramic shots with multiple sheets of 4x5 that are stitched together in post. Basically, setup yoru composition and focus for the center of what would be a three shot panoramic then shoot your center frame, use the rear shift to shift left, take your second frame then shift all the way over to shifting right all the way over and take your third exposure. It's important not to make any exposure changes on the shutter, no movement changes and that you make your three exposures in fairly rapid succession to avoid any changes in the ambient light (clouds moving, sun moving etc) which might break the exposure continuity between frames. This works especially well when having the film holder in portrait orientation then you end up with roughly the equivalent of a 5x12 when making some overlap for the merging. 5x12 on large format is pretty amazing. Also do NOT use front shift for this since it will change the nodal point and it will look wonky. Only use rear shift for that method.
As I'm currently looking for a field camera this was a perfectly timed review for me. It's a nice looking camera. The magnetic bellows seems like a plus to me, if you ever need to replace them it couldn't be simpler. As far as the magnetic back goes, it would be easy for the manufacturer or a third party to 3D print a clip that slides over the rear standard and the removable ground glass holder....but maybe they will build a more permanent solution in the next version of this camera. It will be interesting to see how that works out for you in the future....great review....Thanks!!
Days like these are tough but it's not always about the photos - the message you were able to construct out of this video was great! This location will sing for you soon I know it - you just got to beat the demo crew
I just loved this video today. It’s just your focus on beauty that struck me, and I think it’s beautiful. Nice watching this late night. Thanks Kyle, God bless you!
I don't know Kyle. I tried out several 4x5 cameras before I decided on two. If something is bothering you on the first try such as the magnetic back and bellows I would seriously think about purchasing the camera. Those magnets would have thrown me off from the get go, but you're a big boy with expensive toys. As you found using the Intrepid; things that you think you can live with in the beginning will piss you off in the long run...lol Thanks for presenting this video for us to enjoy. Better luck with the weather in the future. Cheers from Nova Scotia...
Going to have too deep dive into your channel as I haven’t shot 4x5 for 20 years. And it’s great to see slow photography. I loved HP5 developed in Rodenol (does it still exist 🤔) I feel a rabbit hole coming…
Kyle, you should find out if they plan to demolish the towers. That would make an astonishing photo. That is a stunning camera and you can see why it costs so much more than the Intrepid (which is also a lovely camera). Great work and congrats for finding a new sponsor,
Thanks Morris! Yeah, I think this is a place that I’ll be returning to a few more times in the near future. I don’t think it’ll be around for much longer.
one other camera has close to this extension, that is the linhof Technika, these have a triple extension system, focus track, ext. bed on top of the focus track, and the back format frame is on a set of rods, lostened by four knobs near the corners of the body, which extends this figure to 560mm as I recall, 536mm without this back extension, so long lenses up to 450mm I think are compatable, esp. if tele designated ( this allows infinity focus at less than focal length in bellows distance).
That is one slick looking camera and some excellent results. Glad you got back to that mine before it disappeared. That is one of the worst feelings, waiting to get a shot of a location and next time you go past it's gone!
Mike Walker sells his 4 x5 pinholes on Ilford's site. Mats Christensen (Pyro Highlights FaceBook Group) has some great sample pinhole images. If you want to try 4x5 without spending a fortune, this is a way to consider starting out.
Good to see someone review this camera. I started with an Intrepid as well, and like you, wanted to upgrade to something with zero positions. I ended up with a used Wista DX that I love now, but I looked at this camera and decided against it only because I couldn't find any good reviews of it.
Beautiful camera but definitely concerned about the magnets too. After Intrepid my trust in these sorts of things has waned - Chamonixs seem to cost about the same as the Stenopeikas and...are Chaminixs 😂, possibly worth a go there.
Was lucky enough to get a Chamonix on eBay for a song (particularly when you consider the amount of film the seller was kind enough to include). And definitely very pleased with it. Aside from the bellow extension (and I can't see myself really needing .5m extension), seems to answer all the complaints that Kyle has.
Great video, beautiful camera! Which benro tripod do you use I have one of the smaller benro travel tripods but want to upgrade to something more stable, thanks for all the hard work you put into your videos, I’ve learned so much from you 🙏🏻
It's cool, but 3 times the cost and twice the weight of the Intrepid. Rumor has it there's a Mark V Intrepid in the works, I'm curious to see what they change or improve.
Beautifully built camera, and great review Kyle! I think the magnetic back would be a deal breaker for me, and I agree that a simple security clip on the top and bottom would be much better. For now, I'm happy with my new (to me) Tachihara Hope 4x5!
yes, the replaceable bellows is a good thing, means you can fit bag bellows for wide angle lenses, but also if they get tarnished, or develop holes, replacement is a sinch, unlike fixed bellows frames, have to remove the glue, and re-glue them back to their frames again.
The chamonix n2 is so much more reliable ! There is a demo of it on nico's photography channel It's a nice camera but, you can go for something way better at this price range!
I respect your opinions, but for me a field camera has to be simple and very quick to operate for obvious reasons. This camera appears to be well built, but it is also complicated and too busy with controls. Imagine the cold of the British winters and operating all those fiddly knobs. I also think that a camera of such price has to have a certain aesthetic beauty to it which IMHO this one does not, although I admit that this is a subjective matter. If I may be very honest with you, since money appears to be no object for you , I'd sincerely recommend that you seek out an Ebony and be done with it, no finer a 4X5 camera exists than an Ebony. It is a damn shame that they are no longer in production. I wish that all those years ago I had purchased one, but alas.
The Ebony's do look great, and I'd love to try one out at some point. As for the money comment, not the case. The reason I was able to get my hands on this camera was because of LF Camera Store, which was mentioned in this video. They stock a select few manufacturers, and this is one of them. But yes, there are a lot of options to choose from out there, and many other's I'd like to try as well if I had the opportunity!
Kyle, lovely video, as always! May I ask about your filming set-up? I know you work with a BMPCC and a Fuji now but what was this shot on (camera+lens)? Looks so nice, soft and shallow but sharp... Also, if you don't mind letting me know how you get such great audio, external recording or...? Cheers from Croatia, man! :)
Hey Alexander, this was shot with the Fuji X-T4. I own a P6K Pro, which I love, but sometimes I'll take this out when I know I'm going to be handheld a lot. The Fuji is great. My go-to lens for it is the 16mm 1.4 which is one of my favourites. Just a beautiful image out of it and I love the way it renders OOF areas. As for audio, just a Rode Wireless Go setup. Very simple!
@@KyleMcDougall Dear Kyle, thank you very much for taking the time to reply, much appreciated! I am asking these since I have the exact same setup as you (sans the 16mm, I went with the 16-55 for now) and am looking to get into YT more seriously :). Love the BMPCC with the cinema glass but simply not an option in the field. Fuji is amazing.
I wonder if you could add a small latch onto the wooden pieces (even at both orientations), to give you that security. I imagine finding the balance in the strengths of magnets would be tough-not so strong that you disrupt your framing, but enough to not cause issues. Also really like the hoodie haha
Interesting place. Nice video. I agree with the HP5. I'm not a fan at any other format, but I like it on 4x5. Have you tried Fomapan 100? It's becoming a favorite for me now on 4X5. Is the Stenopeika closely priced to the Chamonix? Someone cancelled for August so I got my Chamonix 45F2 a lot sooner. I am really enjoying the weight considering I hiked a bit with the Toyo 45A last summer before I got the Chamonix. Yeah, the magnet for the back seem problematic. I know for me, if it happens once, I know it will happen again. Good luck on your selection.
Never tried Foma 100 in 4x5, but I’ll likely give it a shot at some point. I’ve heard good things. And yes, this camera in the CF version is similar to the Chamonix. As for the magnetic back, yeah, I’m still unsure of what to think. I’m willing to give it some time and see if I adjust, but it could very well be one of those things that I’m always worried about.
At the risk of sounding provocative, to the exception of using new material and new manufacturing processes, creating a new LF camera in 2021 is pretty much reinventing the wheel. Seeing those magnetic backs and bellows without a proper locking mechanism is quite disappointing when one has multitude of old cameras to study and get the best of. I am curious to know with which cameras you compare it to consider it as well made. Those nuts and bolts popping up everywhere, the sharp cut rails don’t indicate to me it’s a well finished camera. If you are after a light camera, Chamonix or an Arca Swiss are definitely looking much better. It would be interesting to hear what you key criteria are. If you are flexible on weight, other better cameras exist too.
Hey Nico, I guess the same could be said about a lot of things when it comes to reinventing the wheel, not just in the camera world. I think options and additions are a good thing. But yeah, as I mentioned in the video, not a huge fan of the magnetic bits, and for me, it feels a bit unnecessary, especially without some type of lock. If they had a lock, I actually think it’s be a great feature. Yes, the cut edges on the rails did stand out to me. I’m assuming that’s what you were referring to in the IG message when we spoke? As for key criteria, for me: zero positions, weight (although I am flexible on this a bit), setup and ease of use, and overall quality (longevity). Those are probably the main ones. Still have some more time with this camera to see how it feels after a few more days out.
@@KyleMcDougall don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with new cameras and brands. My point is that I expect them to do their homework. For instance, Chamonix clearly studied Ebony, and it shows. If you can reach out to Linhof Studio in London, I would be curious to hear your thoughts about the Master Technika and the Technikardan 45.
Always like a video showing someone exploring LF photography. Have to disagree about the quality of the camera. I’m a woodworker and a Chamonix 4x5 owner. I can see the corner joints/filler on the front and rear standards of the Italian camera on my IPhone. The body itself is clunky looking and the finish looks weak. For less than the price of this camera you can get the Chamonix 45F2, their top 4x5. Better featured and beautifully put together and finished.
@@KyleMcDougall Well it worked marvelously. Wind noise is my number one problem in outdoor recording no matter what kind of 'dead cat' I stick on my mic. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't even try stuffing it down into my sweater, assuming it would muffle the sound, but it works nicely, at least in your case.
The magnet part is genuinely confusing as a point of engineering. With the long history of view camera design, I can not imagine why they would choose magnets and NOT include a clamp of some kind. Especially at that price point. Those magnets do not seem very strong.
They make cool cameras with an insane amount of features but they’re kinda… agricultural with the hardware. The video of the guys shop is amazing though, its a dude in an ancient workshop making cameras.
the big question is, is this camera worth 5 time an intrepid 4x5... in my opinion no, i'll stay with my mpp viii, heavy but built like a tank, and I paid less than for an intrepid for mine
Yeah, that’ll be answer that’s probably different for everyone. I’ve eyeballed the MPP 4x5’s many times. They look great. Will likely pick one up at some point if a great deal presents itself.
The guy is very nice but at this price you might as well buy a Chamonix or a Shen Hao which will look different than this awful thing cobbled together with screws and bolts everywhere and curtain rods.
