Intrepid has brand new 5x7 field camera, anyone take the plunge?

Hello Team,

Getting increasingly difficult to find used 5x7 cameras in good condition or less than 75 years old, enter the intrepid 5x7 camera where I think you can even select the color of the bellows...

Has anyone purchased this camera?
Likes, dislikes?

I would be interested in your feedback, or should I get a second paper route and just save up for the 8x10 models.?

Thanks for your feedback!

Harlequin

I never took the plunge to 5x7 because it leaves me to contact printing which would be too small for my taste. So I am still preparing my plunge, mentally and equipment-wise, to 8x10. Intrepid’s prices are very attractive, but I don’t dare yet, for such a large format, to compromise on build quality and precision. I almost did it just before the Brexit, given import costs to Europe etc., but I’m still working on a nice way to develop 8x10. I’m not going to buy a LF camera before I feel good about a developing method which is not too expensive and delivers even development. I’m not going to spend insane prices for a JOBO set; I have one for my 4x5, but I don’t use it anymore because it’s a hassle getting the sheets in. Stearman 8x10 is giving uneven developments and Artifex is quite a price and still Bèta.

I own the original Kickstarter 8x10 and the latest v2 8x10. They are workable cameras, but I wouldn't recommend any Intrepid camera to a beginning LF photographer. Why? Mainly because they are not precision instruments (not a dig given the price point) and, IMO, you need to be a somewhat experienced LF photographer to get the best out of 'em.

I have 2 old rittreck 5x7 cameras. they are cheap, but very solid and feel hardly bigger and heavier than a good 4x5. I have an 8x10 back for them, you lose the movements, but it works well to see whether you like 8x10. you are limited to just under400mm extension in total. the back was cheap as well, hand made from japan. to process film and contact prints I use a jobo drum. not expensive as well...

Recently purchased a "previously owned" 5X7 Shen-Hao. Its weight is not excessive, and the movements are convenient. Highly recommended. I consider the 5X7 size the minimum for contact printing.

harlequin said:

Hello Team,

Getting increasingly difficult to find used 5x7 cameras in good condition or less than 75 years old, enter the intrepid 5x7 camera where I think you can even select the color of the bellows...

Has anyone purchased this camera?
Likes, dislikes?

I would be interested in your feedback, or should I get a second paper route and just save up for the 8x10 models.?

Thanks for your feedback!

Harlequin

Click to expand...

I have both the 4x5 and 8x10 Intrepid. The 4x5 is better suited to the construction style and materials than the 8x10, (mine suffers from quality control issues) which is far less rigid than an 8x10 ought to be. Each iteration of the camera gets better and better, but I am not impressed with the build quality of my 8x10, which is from 3 years ago. I think it was the Mark II. I expect the 5x7 is a better camera, given its much smaller size. No matter what, these are "budget" cameras and the materials and build quality is satisfactory for the price.

xya said:

I have 2 old rittreck 5x7 cameras. they are cheap, but very solid and feel hardly bigger and heavier than a good 4x5. I have an 8x10 back for them, you lose the movements, but it works well to see whether you like 8x10. you are limited to just under400mm extension in total. the back was cheap as well, hand made from japan. to process film and contact prints I use a jobo drum. not expensive as well...

Click to expand...

I've been considering a Rittreck, thanks for sharing your experience with yours. Sounds like it could be a good fit for my price point over an Intrepid.

More of an observation than a recommendation, but Stenopeika has a 5x7 as well that's similarly priced.