Intrepid Enlarger

ahtoxa · Mar 22, 2021

Although already mentioned in another thread, I can’t miss the chance to start a discussion on new enlarger

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...-compact-enlarger-print-and-scan-35mm-and-120

With convenient controller that works as a timer/color balance/bw grade filters I wonder how easy would it be to adapt the light source to older enlargers?

I’ve beseler 23 and 45 (although only printing up to 6x9) and I think LED light source is a great idea from both consistency and longevity.
Has anyone got experience with Intrepid older 4x5 enlarger, does it stand up to the promise?

Pieter12 · Mar 22, 2021

I wonder if there is a simple alignment procedure--it looks like it could need frequent alignment.

albada · Mar 23, 2021

Pieter12 said:
I wonder if there is a simple alignment procedure--it looks like it could need frequent alignment.

The intro video made an easy-to-miss one-second mention of the two built-in spirit-levels for aligning it left-to-right and fore-and-aft.
They make the enlarger vertical in both axes, but assumes that the easel is on a perfectly flat surface -- which is probably usually close enough to true.

neilt3 · Mar 23, 2021

Anyone getting one of these would be well worth tracking down a copy stand .
New or used .

Pioneer · Mar 23, 2021

neilt3 said:
Anyone getting one of these would be well worth tracking down a copy stand .
New or used .

Yep. Makes using it soooo much easier.

Pieter12 · Mar 23, 2021

I would think using it with a tripod as shown would be a royal pain to size the projected image on the easel and keep everything aligned. The tripod set-up looks like it would need a large table to accommodate unless you work on the floor. But you could get bigger enlargements that way. One way or another, it seems like it would be much better with a copy stand. I wonder if they will offer just the LED and controller and maybe that could be adapted to an existing enlarger?

neilt3 · Mar 23, 2021

When their in full production , they'll probably sell you just the light and controller if you ask them .
How much you'll save is another thing though . Buying it on the kickstarter might be better .

I'm in the process of making a 10x8 camera from bit's and pieces of other cameras and an enlarger's bellows .
To save time and messing about I contacted them about buying the whole back of their 10x8 camera including focus screen , and they've sold me one for the same price as a 10x8 to 7x5 reducing back .
I'm expecting a delivery from DHL tomorrow .

Danner · Mar 27, 2021

I will buy one when available. 100%

CMoore · Mar 29, 2021

It seems like a lot of these Kickstarter projects never mention the cost.
Maybe i missed it,. they give A LOT of info (which is great) do they say the cost.?

Donald Qualls · Mar 29, 2021

CMoore said:
It seems like a lot of these Kickstarter projects never mention the cost.
Maybe i missed it,. they give A LOT of info (which is great) do they say the cost.?

They have to give a cost -- there are usually varying levels of pledge, and they tell what supporters get for that level. It'll generally be something like "Minimum pledge $X, one Product" followed by "Supporter Level, $Y, one Product plus Accessory A" and "Extra Support Level, $Z, one Product, plus Accessories A and B."

neilt3 · Mar 29, 2021

CMoore said:
It seems like a lot of these Kickstarter projects never mention the cost.
Maybe i missed it,. they give A LOT of info (which is great) do they say the cost.?

The opening page is about the product .
If you click the "back this project" tab , the page opens with the different backing ( price ) options , depending on what product you want to back/buy .
https://www.kickstarter.com/project...-35mm-and-120/pledge/new?clicked_reward=false

35mm set-up is £220
120 set-up is £240
120 & 35mm set-up is £250
£15 just gets you a pin badge , a sow on badge and a magazine , no enlarger and no cigar .

radiant · Mar 29, 2021

Currently they have pledged $197,993 (pledged of $27,557 goal).

That means they have sold 788 enlargers (577 backers).

Kilgallb · Apr 1, 2021

I was interested if the front standard has tilt and swing for perspective control. Does anyone know?

Donald Qualls · Apr 2, 2021

From what I can see in the photos and video I've watched, no. It's mounted on a pair of rods with a screw for focus, somewhat like a bellows extension for a 35mm SLR.

Luis-F-S · Apr 2, 2021

neilt3 said:
Anyone getting one of these would be well worth tracking down a copy stand .
New or used .

So then you might as well get a real enlarger!

radiant · Apr 2, 2021

Luis-F-S said:
So then you might as well get a real enlarger!

Intrepid enlarger is probably still cheaper ..

https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/kaiser-bw-enlarger-for-35mm.html?cache=1617372820 790 euros. Only 35mm. No RGB head..

Donald Qualls · Apr 2, 2021

Luis-F-S said:
So then you might as well get a real enlarger!

But the Intrepid enlarger, light source, and copy stand will fit in a small cabinet, where an enlarger won't.

neilt3 · Apr 2, 2021

Luis-F-S said:
So then you might as well get a real enlarger!

I have real enlargers in my real darkroom that do from 35mm up to 7x5 ( three separate enlargers ) , but I'm not the target market .
As noted above , this can be stored back in a small cupboard , a copy stand can have the post removed from it's baseboard easily , again for storage .
I wouldn't want to have to dismantle my medium format enlarger after every use .

This is aimed more at the occasional user , so rigging something up temporary us perfectly acceptable .
If I didn't have the facilities I have or the space , I would have considered this and especially the one they do for 5x4 .

DMJ · Apr 2, 2021

They said it will cost around 350 GBP. So with taxes and shipping that is more than $500 for us in the US.
I recently bought on Craigslis an Omega c700 with its original lamp and 35mm carrier. It came with extras: stand, easel, safe light, developing trays, kodak darkroom guide, negative drying clips and film canister opener. I paid $70. I think my Omega occupies less space than the Intrepid with a tripod.
I would buy the controller though but someone was showing on Youtube that you get less contrast with leds.

Donald Qualls · Apr 2, 2021

DMJ said:
They said it will cost around 350 GBP. So with taxes and shipping that is more than $500 for us in the US.

Assuming it does well, it would probably be less if they get a US distributor. Costs much less per unit to ship and bring through customs a container load than a single box.

neilt3 · Apr 2, 2021

DMJ said:
They said it will cost around 350 GBP. So with taxes and shipping that is more than $500 for us in the US.
.

£350 ?
Not if you buy it on the kickstarter ;
35mm set-up is £220
120 set-up is £240
120 & 35mm set-up is £250

DMJ · Apr 2, 2021

neilt3 said:
£350 ?
Not if you buy it on the kickstarter ;
35mm set-up is £220
120 set-up is £240
120 & 35mm set-up is £250

Sorry guys, I was wrong. They said between 220 and 290 GBP (300-400 USD), got confused with the exchange. Here is Max himself speaking about the cost @35:00

Luis-F-S · Apr 2, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
But the Intrepid enlarger, light source, and copy stand will fit in a small cabinet, where an enlarger won't.

Never been a criteria!!

Donald Qualls · Apr 2, 2021

Luis-F-S said:
Never been a criteria!!

It has been, and is, for some who (for instance) live in small apartments...

Danner · Apr 4, 2021

I'll use my CF Gitzo with the center column reversed, and use a coffee table as the baseboard. I tried this with my GS-1 Bronica on there, about the same size. It will work great. And, use a Nova 8x10 print processor. Great set-up for a travel trailer type trip.

Intrepid Enlarger

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