KEEPING Traditions

The Intrepid 4x5 is built for maximum 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 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.

The Intrepid 4x5 is the only affordable 4x5 camera to be constructed from high quality and reliable materials. We use sustainably sourced furniture grade Birch Plywood on the front and rear standard, this is finished by hand with a wax oil sealant to protect the wood. The base and supporting parts of the camera are made from high grade aluminium that is hard coat anodised black. The rack and pinion focusing mechanism run on linear metal guides for frictionless sharp focussing. The ground glass screens are hand-ground in the workshop to ensure they are super bright an clear and the bellows are an incredibly durable vinyl on the outside with a triple layered light resistant lining, all hand made in our workshop.

4x5 is an amazing format, the film comes in sheets that are much larger than your standard 35mm; 13x larger in fact. This produces an incredible amount of clarity and depth in your images that when done correctly, produces an effect much richer than even the best quality digital cameras. Large format photography is also one of the most rewarding types of photography, there is nothing quite like getting out in the field, relaxing and taking your time to create that perfect image. If you’re already into medium format or 35mm film the jump to 4x5 is easy! The Intrepid 4x5 is the perfect introduction to this wonderful world - lightweight, compact and affordable. And for the well-versed large format shooter the Intrepid offers maximum versatility whilst maintaining the highest quality.