A great review on the Intrepid 4x5. In my opinion, Intrepid should send you a new Mark 4 for your promotion of their product since you use it in all your outdoors videos. You have demonstrated it can handle rain, snow, wind and all its capabilities and faults. Anyways, always a pleasure to look and listen to one of your videos. Hopefully something new next Wednesday to look forward to. You are the only RU-vid large format contributor I look for every week. Cheers from Canada.
Thanks for your review! You have reaffirmed my decision to purchase an Intrepid and your videos also had influenced me. I acquired an Intrepid MK4 about six weeks ago and have shot about forty sheets of film to date. I thoroughly enjoy using this camera.
I was watching this video on TV, and liked it so much that I logged-in to my computer so I could comment, and thank you for putting in the time and effort into a contemplative, independent, evaluation of the Intrepid. I bought an Intrepid after I watched this - and a couple of your other - video(s). Thank you, again. I've subscribed and liked what I have watched, and enjoy your style and content immensely.
Excellent Review. I just wanted to tell you that one of your videos was the tipping point in me getting an Intrepid 4x5. I received it a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to go out and shoot with it :-)
Great review. I got my 4x5 mkll 4 years ago and added an 8x10 mkll last year. No regrets, l probhably would never have advanced to large format without intrepid.
@@lostlightart6064 contact Max at intrepid, as an existing customer you are probhably due a discount code for the purchase of the 8x10. Good luck. Phillip.
I have a Burke and James 4x5 field camera, but the 2 intrepids (version 1 and a version 2) I used I absolutely loved. Super lightweight and portable, if I dragged my camera out of the studio more I would buy an intrepid.
I think Intrepid is a good thing because the low cost of the cameras is helping bring new people to larger format photography at a lower startup cost which means more demand for film which means the format will stay alive. That said, there are a lot of things not to like about the design of these cameras. Just the fact that you have to manually screw in the front standard every time seems like it won't hold up through the test of time. The rear movements are weird too. It is what it is, an entry level camera, but I think most people will find themselves wanting something nicer if they stick with it. For example: For a few hundred dollars more there are nicer wood field cameras on the used market that will hold resale value better as well.
Hey. Thank you for the comment and the facts you wrote are true. Like I say in the video it all comes down to your own prefrences. Thr biggedt factor for me is lightweight and because of that I would choose Intrepid over heavy but beautiful old camera any time of the day. At least for the field work 😉
@@lostlightart6064 yeah the tachihara is a good choice for light weight and higher quality. I have a metal Toyo Field 45Aii which weighs about 6lbs and it can be a bear to carry but I also know that I could probably drop it off a cliff and it would still work. In the end these large format camera are just dark boxes with a lens attached to the front so as long as they function in that regard it’s all that really matters but aesthetics are important to me too just for pride of use 🙂
Good tip about carrying a multi-tool. I also use the Intrepid Mk III and find that, whenever I fit a lens, I have to use an allen key to tighten the retaining bar above the lens panel.
Hi, I've been using the mk4 for 2 years; The aluminum base is a greatimprovement and so is the new focusing system; You don't have to tighten anything after having focused your image. I had used the mk3 for 1 year before and I do consider the mk4 a great improvement.
@@lostlightart6064 i'm using the 4x5. I considered going for the 8x10 but I got a great deal on an eastman view no 2. 8x10. You should consider getting the mk4 base to upgrade your mk3 it's not that expensive and you'll feel the difference.
Very good review. It's also important to note that the rear swing on the MKIII, although limited, can also be used to move the rear standard forward just a little bit which can, in some cases, be what you need in order to make a wide-angle lens work when it's mounted on a flat lens board instead of a recessed one and the front standard is in the hole closest to the back. I've been able to achieve enough extra closeness between the rear element of the lens and the film place to make focus work without having to drill more holes in the baseboard or buying an expensive recessed lens board. Unfortunately, they took the rear swing option away in the MK IV model.
@@lostlightart6064 I never upgraded to the MK IV. Instead, I stepped up to a Canham Wood 5x7/4x5. I'm still holding on to the MK III though for light backpacking trips and for using my Horseman 6x9 and 6x12 roll film holders.
Very nice review. I have often been amazed to see you working with it in the rain and snow with no damage to the camera. I wouldn't risk my Wista ;). On the other hand, given that you are now an advanced large format photographer, I wonder if having a more sophisticated camera might make your results even better. Having the Intrepid as a backup, maybe just for bad weather, would also be an advantage. Look forward as always to your next Vlog.
Hey Jim. Thanks for the toughs. I always like to use things to their full potential before advancing to newer and "better". My next move is 8x10 I believe 😎
@@lostlightart6064 Funny, I was going to mention 8x10 but thought my comment was getting a bit long. Good luck with that but don't give up on 4x5, we need you!:)
What a novel idea, using a product extensively for an extended time before offering a review. You are to be congratulated, this is how reviews should be conducted.
This is an awesome video. I'm curious about shooting pinhole with this camera. I'm looking for about a 50mm focal length, but the specs on the Mk IV say it can only go as wide as 75mm. Do you think a recessed board would allow me to go wider, or would the base end up appearing in the shot? Thank you!
Hey it's a very old multitool so there is no branding on it anymore. I got it from my dad but any multitool that has different hex screwdrivers will work ;)
You talk a little fast for me. I use closed caption anyway. You might want to use the terms of LF. Swing, tilt, rise fall and shift. It was a good report though. Good job.
@@nicolasdemoulin7203 I got this 135-235 convertible lens for 90€ out of ebay and it is very good. Extremely small, lightweight and versatile with two focal lenghts ;)
I own a Intrepid mark 3 and If you got the cash then don´t buy it. Quality wise it is less than Ikea. Chips easily, knobs are cheap plastic. Focusing is rough. Even for the price point I would never ever consider buying one again. When I find an old 4x5 with some real quality then it´s to the bin or a new toy for my kids. More Lada than the VW you were expecting. Just a tad better than a home made camera.
This, in my opinion is a flimsy piece of junk. You've only had it 2 years and it's already having wear issues? I have a toyo Omega 4 x 5 rail camera that has been dragged all over the United States. It's even survived being checked for an airplane flight.😂 I've only had to replace two knobs that were broken because it fell five or six feet onto asphalt and I've replaced the bellows once. It's going strong, never had an issue with rust and it is still perfectly operational. I bought it new 39 years ago.