KEEPING Traditions

The Intrepid 4x5 Camera 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. As well as standard 4x5 sheet film the Intrepid can use medium format (120) film and instant film like the New55, Fuji-FP and expired Polaroid film with the correct holders (have a read of Meredith Wilson’s post on our blog about using the Intrepid with Instant film.)

The Camera is lovingly crafted from solid sheets of high quality Birch Plywood that we cut, sand and weather proof in our workshop. The more structural components are made from Aluminium in a factory walking distance from us.

The bellows are made on site, using Nylon ripstop for the outer layer and a super thin and light proof black fabric for the inner layer.

We also hand grind our focusing screens and buy in the mechanical components like knobs and gears from some great suppliers in Germany and the USA.

The Intrepid is a "bring your own" lens camera, lenses are easily available second hand and new. The 4x5 will work with pretty much any 75-300mm lens mounted on preferably one of our boards but it is also compatible with Linhof/Technika style boards. If you don't feel ready to commit to a lens just yet though why not start out with one of our great pinhole lenses for a fraction of the cost of glass!

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. Check out our instructional videos for more tips on setting up and using your Intrepid camera.