Intrepid 4x5 Camera Kickstarter Launch!

[Pioneer]

I saw this the first day the kickstarter was up - unfortunately even then the first "cheapies" were gone, otherwise I'd have backed it already

I'm really glad someone is making an inexpensive field camera. But I'm a bit torn over it.

On one hand, an inexpensive and light field camera would be awesome. I'd prefer a field camera to a monorail (most the inexpensive used LF cameras I see are monorails) simply for the ease of transport and look. And that is where this fall flat. A camera is a tool, and it's look shouldn't matter; except part of the magic of a LF, to me, is the effect is has on the subject. Both Greg Heisler and Dan Winter point out their books how pulling out the 8x10 changed the attitude of the subjects. Even to celebrities who sit for hundreds of photos, a LF camera is special. It makes them feel special, and it makes them stand that bit taller, try the bit harder.

This thing looks too DIY. It looks like a constructor set, not a big noble camera. And if I was only shooting landscapes, that may actually be an advantage. I suppose a lot will depend on on what hardware gets made in metal.

Now, if a stretch goal ever becomes a graflarger style back (so I can use this as a 4x5 enlarger as well as a camera), they will get my money so fast my bank account will spin.

If I ever get around to photographing celebrities I'll be sure to haul out my Deardorff V8. But when I am bouncing up through a mountain canyon in my Jeep I think I would like to have this one.

Of course a Walker would be nice as well but this one is around a 1000 pounds less.

 

[k_jupiter]

Personally I think its a great idea. Combine the accuracy of CNC routing with the stability of high grade birch plywood to recreate a design from the 1800s. If you take a look at the Travelwide and the Intrepid we are seeing that some of the new technologies are being used to provide inexpensive cameras for entry into large format film. I hope it catches on.

Ya... CNC routers are ONLY 80 years old by now.

My understanding (possibly flawed) is that the prototypes were laser cut sheets which were then laminated to make the body. The production units are supposed to be CNC milled (though I'm assuming a laminated body as well). They are also going to be using metal parts in place of some of the laser cut wood bits. The production models should be considerably sturdier and better finished in comparison to the prototypes.

Why would you go from laser cut (a CNC process) to milled? Plywood eats up router bits.

Looks pretty amateurish to me. I wish them well though. Anyone with a bit of ambition deserves encouragement.

tim in san jose

 

[Loulou]

I backed the Intrepid and am very much looking forward to getting the camera. It will be my first foray into this format.

 

[MattKrull]

If I ever get around to photographing celebrities I'll be sure to haul out my Deardorff V8. But when I am bouncing up through a mountain canyon in my Jeep I think I would like to have this one.

Not owning any LF, I'm hoping for one that can do both duties

I sent them a message on KS, asking what material the knobs in the final build will be made of, and how difficult it would be to replace them.

The hinges and support struts on the side will be changed to aluminium, the camera is all ready surprisingly rigid just with the wood, but we feel the aluminium will be much harder wearing. The knobs will be milled wood with a metal or nylon bolt, we have been using nylon so far with great results but are going to potentially change this, they are standard M6 Hex bolts that go into a M6 internally threaded tube, so if you wanted to make your own it should be fairly simple as long as you stick to using M6 and match the lengths of the bolts.

any other questions feel free to ask!
All the best, Max

So there you go, if you want to remove some of the constructor-set looking build, it shouldn't be too difficult to do.

 

[Gadfly_71]

Ya... CNC routers are ONLY 80 years old by now.


Why would you go from laser cut (a CNC process) to milled? Plywood eats up router bits.

Looks pretty amateurish to me. I wish them well though. Anyone with a bit of ambition deserves encouragement.

tim in san jose

I believe that CNC may scale better, but I'm not sure. The fellows running the project would probably be a better resource.

The project page indicates some changes from the prototypes (and let's not forget, everything they've shown is a prototype), the final product should be a bit more refined: "Final camera will be made from high quality Birch Ply Wood milled using a CNC Router with Aluminium supports and hinges, so it will look slightly different to the one above."

 

[eclarke]

Laser doesn't cut wood uniformly for tolerances..

 

[Ghostman]

We have backed this Kickstarter. We are very much looking forward to it!

 

[Dr Croubie]

Damn, I got caught up in that whole 'losing my job' thing mid-november that I totally forgot to back this (and probably shouldn't have, not having a job anymore).
Oh well, it looks like they did it without my help, £63k out of £27k they were aiming for.

 

[k_jupiter]

Thanks for the bump DR.

Well??

They should all be in the hands of their backers by now. Why haven't we heard much about them? Give it up backers. Is this camera the camera of your dreams? We all want to know. Or are you all just dreaming about them still?

tim in san jose

 

[ozphoto]

They seem to have been delayed?

Dead Link Removed

 

[Axle]

Happens with any project of this size. But I'm still rather happy with the progress they've made. Lots of updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theintrepidcameraco

I'm also pleased that I'll be getting a pinhole board! Which gives me a template to manufacture my own lens boards!

 

[Axle]

Mine Arrived yesterday and it's a beautiful piece! Taking it out this Sunday with the pinhole, then the process to make boards for my lens kit!

 

[Lebet]

I missed the kickstarter but was on the website the moment it went live to order mine. I'm just hoping it comes in time to shoot the fall colors here in Maine.

 

[europanorama]

crazy no link to flickr on FB. they are very busy. here it is
https://www.flickr.com/groups/theintrepidcamera/

 

[DiegoV]

Hey there, guys. I'm currently looking to buy my first large format camera and stumbled upon this one. It fits all my requirements for now (I'm looking for a 4x5 camera that's light, easy to carry and cheap) so it's looking like a pretty good option for me.

I've read some good comments about it, but thought I might ask here as well. Has anyone tried it yet? Should I run away from it?
Thank you