KEEPING Traditions

As with all Intrepid Cameras the black edition is built for versatility and that includes the films you can shoot with it. It produces breathtaking results with both colour slide, colour negative and black and white 4x5 film. If you are unsure: Colour Negative film generally gives softer tones and has a more dynamic range and ISO speeds. Comparatively Colour Slide film is renowned for its vivid colours and fine grain but is slightly less forgiving when it comes to exposure. These are readily available from all the big film manufacturers along with Black and White 4x5 film.

The camera also has what is known as a ‘Graflok back’ (or international back), which means the glass can be removed in order to mount a range of different film backs and accessories. As well as standard 4x5 sheet film you can also use medium format (120) film in all formats from 6x6 to 6x17, and instant film like the New55, Fuji-FP 100C, or expired Polaroid film. You can also shoot Wet Plates or Tin Types either by adapting regular film holders or with purpose made holders.

The Intrepid is a "bring your own" lens camera, but thankfully large format lenses are readily available secondhand. The 4x5 will work with pretty much any 75-300mm lens mounted on preferably one of our lens boards but it is also compatible with most Linhof/Technika style boards. Although it’s worth noting that most 75mm lenses will require a recessed lens board. For more in-depth advice on choosing your first lens, or getting your head around lens boards and shutter, check out our ‘Lens buying Guide’. If you don't feel ready to commit to a lens just yet, why not start out with one of our great pinhole lenses for a fraction of the cost of glass! They are great to experiment with and to help get the feel for the camera.

We combine traditional craftsmanship with high-tech modern manufacturing which allows us to create products that are both high quality and affordable. Everything is assembled by hand and we produce most of our parts in-house, working with a small number of local suppliers for the rest. The 3D printed parts are a high grade PLA which while being incredibly hardwearing is quick to produce, and has a smooth, modern finish. Sustainability is also a very important part of our production processes, which is a major advantage of 3D printing. The filament we use is a renewable, plant-derived bioplastic which unlike other plastics won’t impact the earth.

The base and supporting parts of the camera are made from high grade aluminium that is hard coat anodised black. The rear controlled focusing mechanism runs on linear metal guides for frictionless sharp focussing. We grind our ground glass screens in the workshop to ensure they are super bright and clear and the bellows are tough Nylon on the outside with a triple layered light resistant lining, all hand folded in our workshop.