FAQ The answers

A large format camera is one of the most creative, fun and rewarding tools a photographer can use. Free from any electronics or automatic settings, shooting large format film is actually a lot simpler than you may think. As a totally analogue experience it allows you to slow down, refine your photography, and fully immerse yourself in the process. 

Unlike smaller formats large format cameras allow you to move and reposition the lens giving you total control of focus and perspective. The larger size also means much higher quality and sheet film gives you pictures with incredible depth and colour, sharper than even the best digital cameras.

Put simply the Intrepid 4x5 and 8x10 cameras are around the same price, if not cheaper than most secondhand alternatives and a lot lighter and more compact. Plus they come with the guarantee that they are in top working order as well as the security of help and support from an active company.

We also have an evolving range of accessories to allow you to create and experiment without having to track down expensive or unreliable secondhand ones, that may or may not be compatible. 

Intrepid Cameras are made from sustainably sourced high quality Birch Plywood that is weather sealed with a plant based wax/oil mix. Whilst being lightweight the wood we use is also very dimensionally stable and will remain flat and level over time. The metal parts are all Anodised Aluminium that is scratch-resistant and and will not rust or oxidise over time. Most of the plastic parts are 3D printed using PLA filament derived from plant starch. The bellows are made from Nylon with a special super-thin lightproof coating inside, and the bright focusing screen is ground in a traditional way from 2mm glass. 

Yes we can ship almost everywhere in the world! We try and keep shipping as affordable and fast as possible and work with a small number of couriers.

Once your order ships you will receive a confirmation email and where possible we will also provide you with a tracking number. 

To use a large format lens you must first mount it to a lens board. Intrepid 4x5 cameras are designed to take Intrepid 4x5 boards or most Linhof/Technika style boards (96mm x 99mm). The 8x10 is designed to take Intrepid 8x10 boards or most Sinar style boards (140mm x 140mm).

Once you have the camera, you will just need a lens in a Copal style shutter, a lens board, film holder, tripod and some film. We'd also recomend a light meter or light meter app, dark cloth and loupe. As with all types of photography there are tons of other bits and bobs you can get, so it is worth doing some research to figure out what is best for you.

The most recent 4x5 model features a leaf spring back that fully rotates for fast switching between portrait and landscape and has magnets to secure it in place. The ground glass is secure and film holders can be easily mounted either behind the glass or in its place.

The 8x10 uses a similar leaf spring system to secure the ground glass, and to roate from portrait to landscape you just just undo the clips pop it off and change orientation. 

Large format lenses tend to come mounted on a lens board and our cameras are compatible with any Copal style shutter. Our current 4x5 model can take 75mm-300mm lenses with no problems, you can also use 65mm lenses with limited movements (or pop it on a recessed board for more flexibility). The 8x10 can take lenses from 180mm up to 600mm. Take a look at our lens guide here (you'll also find a list of where to look for lenses online.)

In all our choices for materials and manufacturing we try and be as environmentally conscious as possible. We recycle as much of the workshop waste as we can, predominantly use local suppliers, and use the most renewable materials possible. 

All the Birch Plywood we use is FSC certified and sourced locally to us. Not only is Birch Ply known for its strength and durability but Birch trees are a very fast growing species so when sourced sustainably there is little impact to the global environment or biodiversity.

All the metal used in our products is aluminium, which is the single most abundant metal found in the earth and also the most readily recycled (about 75% of the alluminium in circulation today has been recylced already.) It’s easy and quick to machine and once cut we send it to be tumbled and finished in the North of England then Anodised black by a company down the road from us. 

The majority of the plastic used in our products is 3D printed in-house from PLA, a renewable bioplastic. PLA is made from starch derived from plants such as corn, sugar cane and sugar beet pulp making it both renewable and biodegradable.

Yes! You can use any of the Fuji FP pack films with a Polaroid 405 Holder or a Fuji PA-145 Holder, you can also use New55 Film with a Polaroid 545 Holder. 

Most of the instant film available will be expired stocks but Polaroid are currently manufacturing instant 8x10 film.

All the wood used in our products is treated with a plant based oil/wax mixture, this reduces the chance of it warping and makes it water resistant. The bellows are made from a coated nylon fabric that can withstand a light rain shower and the metal work is all anodised aluminium so it won’t rust. So if you do get caught in rain your camera will be fine, just make sure to leave it out to dry when you're back inside.

The lead time simply means the time it takes from when you place your order to when it will be shipped. Currently the lead time is around 6-8 weeks for the 4x5 and 10-12 for the 8x10 depending on when you ordered. All our cameras are hand assembled and the parts are manufactured in-house or locally so this is the time it takes us to produce a camera and keep up with the demand.

‘Gear Acquisition Syndrome’ is something many of us go through and this is particularly common in the Large Format world. However, an Intrepid could be the solution for you! It’s so light you barely feel it in your bag and the simplicity of the camera means you can minimise your kit whilst still being able to enjoy the quality and control offered by large format. 

Yes you can and it's really easy! The correct place for a Fresnel to go is in between you and the ground glass (on the outside of the camera). Simply loosen the 2 small ground glass clips and slide the Fresnel lens into place. 

If you don't live in the European Union you dont have to pay VAT so it will be automatically deducted.

If you do live in the EU but you have a valid European VAT number for your business, you have the option to input this at checkout and this will also deduct the VAT.

We are commited to ensuring there will be no imediate change to how you order if you are based in an EU country, and we will cover any additional tax or fees incurred on orders shipped to Europe initially after Brexit until there is a firm customs plan in place.