Intrepid 4x5 after 2 years of use / The GOOD & The BAD / Large Format Photography

In this long awaited video I am finally sharing my thoughts on my Intrepid 4x5 camera that I have been using on a daily basis for the last two years. I got a lot of questions like if I am satisfied with it or if something bothers me so I tried to be as honest as possible giving you the pluses and minuses of this affordable large format camera. Enjoy :)
Chapters:
00:00​ - Introduction
00:54 - Portability & Weight
01:34 - Setting up the Camera
02:14 - Movements
03:20 - Focusing
05:08 Build Quality
06:46 Final Thoughts
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▪️ LARGE FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
Camera: Intrepid 4x5 mk3
Tripod: Vanguard Alta Pro 263 AT
📷 GEAR I USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO:
Canon M50
Canon EF-m 15-45mm
🎶 MUSIC CREDITS:
Song 1:
Music provided by HearWeGo (goo.gl/nDS3zR​)
Artist: Light Memory
Title: Run Aground
Listen on KZbin: • Light Memory - Run Agr... ​

[@waynesimon2963]

A great review on the Intrepid 4x5. In my opinion, Intrepid should send you a new Mark 4 for your promotion of their product since you use it in all your outdoors videos. You have demonstrated it can handle rain, snow, wind and all its capabilities and faults. Anyways, always a pleasure to look and listen to one of your videos. Hopefully something new next Wednesday to look forward to. You are the only KZbin large format contributor I look for every week. Cheers from Canada.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Wayne. Thank you for the kind words as always. Yes I believe there will be a video next week and it might be very interesting :)

[@tgchism]

Great review! One of the most informative I have seen!

[@jllanesphoto]

Very good review young man. Thank you so much.

[@cdaugherty7023]

Excellent review!

[@michaelsherck5099]

Good video, covers the basics nicely. It's very useful to know how a camera works over time.

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks Michael

[@keithmcfarland3819]

Excellent review. Concise and straight to the point. Well done.

[@lostlightart6064]

Thank you Keith. Do you own an Intrepid yourself?

[@keithmcfarland3819]

@@lostlightart6064 I don’t have an Intrepid. I do have an old 8x10 Deardorff, though.

[@philipdahl9001]

Thanks for your review! You have reaffirmed my decision to purchase an Intrepid and your videos also had influenced me. I acquired an Intrepid MK4 about six weeks ago and have shot about forty sheets of film to date. I thoroughly enjoy using this camera.

[@lostlightart6064]

Great I will obviously have to consider upgrading 😁

[@Soledadsworld]

I was watching this video on TV, and liked it so much that I logged-in to my computer so I could comment, and thank you for putting in the time and effort into a contemplative, independent, evaluation of the Intrepid. I bought an Intrepid after I watched this - and a couple of your other - video(s). Thank you, again. I've subscribed and liked what I have watched, and enjoy your style and content immensely.

[@lostlightart6064]

Glad you enjoy my content. Thanks!

[@RandyMoe]

Keep on keepin on!

[@lostlightart6064]

I will thanks!

[@tylerhuttosmith]

Thank you! I’ve been going back and forth on which 4x5 to get and I’m thinking I’m going to come back around to the intrepid.

[@lostlightart6064]

Cool they are truly doing good work!

[@samehfahmi2068]

Excellent Review. I just wanted to tell you that one of your videos was the tipping point in me getting an Intrepid 4x5. I received it a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to go out and shoot with it :-)

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Sameh. Cool cant wait to see the results!

[@christophercollins6892]

Thank you for this information. Just to let you know, it's Final Thoughts

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the excellent review. If I ever need to replace my 4x5 Calumet monorail, I will consider the Intrepid.

[@kevinthephotographer9346]

Good tip about carrying a multi-tool. I also use the Intrepid Mk III and find that, whenever I fit a lens, I have to use an allen key to tighten the retaining bar above the lens panel.

[@lostlightart6064]

Yes indeed 😊

[@phillipmurray8848]

Great review. I got my 4x5 mkll 4 years ago and added an 8x10 mkll last year. No regrets, l probhably would never have advanced to large format without intrepid.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Phillip. Great to hear I will have to get myself an 8x10 mk2 as well!

[@phillipmurray8848]

@@lostlightart6064 contact Max at intrepid, as an existing customer you are probhably due a discount code for the purchase of the 8x10. Good luck. Phillip.

[@lostlightart6064]

@@phillipmurray8848 yes I have to get in contact with them!

[@J4060]

I think that is an useful camera for studio. Not a good option for outdoors, at least for my standards. Thank you for your videos. All the best.

[@PinkhatPhotography]

I have a Burke and James 4x5 field camera, but the 2 intrepids (version 1 and a version 2) I used I absolutely loved. Super lightweight and portable, if I dragged my camera out of the studio more I would buy an intrepid.

[@lostlightart6064]

Yes completely agree!

[@greypixelphotographydotcom5754]

One of the suggestions I would like to make, in order make focusing screen back absolutely at 90 degrees to the base, use a permanent white paint ball psn and mark the top head of the screws on both sides with a same dot make on main metallic frame. Please make sure you paint those dots when your camera is set perfectly zeroed in.

[@lostlightart6064]

Cool thanks for the tip Soumendranath!

[@jiml989]

Very nice review. I have often been amazed to see you working with it in the rain and snow with no damage to the camera. I wouldn't risk my Wista ;). On the other hand, given that you are now an advanced large format photographer, I wonder if having a more sophisticated camera might make your results even better. Having the Intrepid as a backup, maybe just for bad weather, would also be an advantage. Look forward as always to your next Vlog.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Jim. Thanks for the toughs. I always like to use things to their full potential before advancing to newer and "better". My next move is 8x10 I believe 😎

[@jiml989]

@@lostlightart6064 Funny, I was going to mention 8x10 but thought my comment was getting a bit long. Good luck with that but don't give up on 4x5, we need you!:)

[@lostlightart6064]

@@jiml989 Sure :)

[@GreggObst]

Very good review. It's also important to note that the rear swing on the MKIII, although limited, can also be used to move the rear standard forward just a little bit which can, in some cases, be what you need in order to make a wide-angle lens work when it's mounted on a flat lens board instead of a recessed one and the front standard is in the hole closest to the back. I've been able to achieve enough extra closeness between the rear element of the lens and the film place to make focus work without having to drill more holes in the baseboard or buying an expensive recessed lens board. Unfortunately, they took the rear swing option away in the MK IV model.

[@lostlightart6064]

Gregg thank you for sharing this very useful tip! How are you pleased with mk4?

[@GreggObst]

@@lostlightart6064 I never upgraded to the MK IV. Instead, I stepped up to a Canham Wood 5x7/4x5. I'm still holding on to the MK III though for light backpacking trips and for using my Horseman 6x9 and 6x12 roll film holders.

[@lostlightart6064]

@@GreggObst cool!

[@sabi57]

Thanks to this video I really want to buy a large format camera :))

[@lostlightart6064]

You are welcome 🤗

[@Raevenswood]

I think Intrepid is a good thing because the low cost of the cameras is helping bring new people to larger format photography at a lower startup cost which means more demand for film which means the format will stay alive. That said, there are a lot of things not to like about the design of these cameras. Just the fact that you have to manually screw in the front standard every time seems like it won't hold up through the test of time. The rear movements are weird too. It is what it is, an entry level camera, but I think most people will find themselves wanting something nicer if they stick with it. For example: For a few hundred dollars more there are nicer wood field cameras on the used market that will hold resale value better as well.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey. Thank you for the comment and the facts you wrote are true. Like I say in the video it all comes down to your own prefrences. Thr biggedt factor for me is lightweight and because of that I would choose Intrepid over heavy but beautiful old camera any time of the day. At least for the field work 😉

[@Raevenswood]

@@lostlightart6064 yeah the tachihara is a good choice for light weight and higher quality. I have a metal Toyo Field 45Aii which weighs about 6lbs and it can be a bear to carry but I also know that I could probably drop it off a cliff and it would still work. In the end these large format camera are just dark boxes with a lens attached to the front so as long as they function in that regard it’s all that really matters but aesthetics are important to me too just for pride of use 🙂

[@pierrelansac1906]

Hi, I've been using the mk4 for 2 years; The aluminum base is a greatimprovement and so is the new focusing system; You don't have to tighten anything after having focused your image. I had used the mk3 for 1 year before and I do consider the mk4 a great improvement.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Pierre. Cool than I should really consider upgrading...Are you using 4x5 or 8x10?

[@pierrelansac1906]

@@lostlightart6064 i'm using the 4x5. I considered going for the 8x10 but I got a great deal on an eastman view no 2. 8x10. You should consider getting the mk4 base to upgrade your mk3 it's not that expensive and you'll feel the difference.

[@lostlightart6064]

@@pierrelansac1906 I will thanks :)

[@minutte]

Najboljša razlaga o tej kameri

[@lostlightart6064]

Hvala Antonio!

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

Which lenses would you recommend? I will buy a 4x5 Intrepid soon, but I'm a bit lost with lenses. I need a lens for portraits, and a wide angle.

[@gameloozer731]

Great review! I think I need one. What’s the hard case you have?

[@lostlightart6064]

Thanks. I actually got it together with some Gopro equipment I ordered so it is not branded

[@extremelydave]

OK, it's been 2 years since you put out this video....what can you say about the newer version of the 4x5 Intrepid? Better? Same? Good? Bad? Meh?

[@Gribley]

This is an awesome video. I'm curious about shooting pinhole with this camera. I'm looking for about a 50mm focal length, but the specs on the Mk IV say it can only go as wide as 75mm. Do you think a recessed board would allow me to go wider, or would the base end up appearing in the shot? Thank you!

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Max. Indeed also my intrepid can't go any wider than 75mm. I am also very doubtful recessed board would work. You have to try I suppose 😊

[@Gribley]

@@lostlightart6064 Thanks for the response!

[@Narsuitus]

My Calumet CC-402 wide-field/short monorail 4x5 inch view camera is able to shoot 51mm pinhole images without a recessed board.

[@kafkapie]

thanks for the video review - can you tell us the name of your multi-tool? (is it available from amazon?) thanks!

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey it's a very old multitool so there is no branding on it anymore. I got it from my dad but any multitool that has different hex screwdrivers will work ;)

[@tinpl8r]

Where did you get the hard case. Im not a fan of the wraps im using now

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey. I actually got it together with the GOPRO accessories I ordered :)

[@tinpl8r]

Awesome. I’ll keep a lookout for one. Thanks

[@mikebaker2007]

What a novel idea, using a product extensively for an extended time before offering a review. You are to be congratulated, this is how reviews should be conducted.

[@lostlightart6064]

Hey Mike. True I would never make a review video for something I just got in my hands :)

[@vertusmatjaz]

How old this camera is? Great review

[@lostlightart6064]

2 years. Thanks

[@vertusmatjaz]

oh. Wasn't sure if this is an old camera with new accessories 3d printed. So there are good large format cameras still producing today. Cool.

[@lostlightart6064]

@@vertusmatjaz Yes LF is comming back 🙌

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

I’m still using my speed graphic. It’s a heavy BRICK. The view sucks thru the screen. Needs a better fresnel

[@lostlightart6064]

Do you know the exact weight?

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

@@lostlightart6064 of the Speed Graphic ?

[@nicolasdemoulin7203]

What lens did you get?

[@lostlightart6064]

A few actually. I currently have Schneider Super Angulon 90mm f/8 and Schneider Convertible lens 135-235mm

[@nicolasdemoulin7203]

@@lostlightart6064 thank you, I've always wanted to do large format but only wanted one lens to keep it simple and the cost low too

[@lostlightart6064]

@@nicolasdemoulin7203 I got this 135-235 convertible lens for 90€ out of ebay and it is very good. Extremely small, lightweight and versatile with two focal lenghts ;)

[@nicolasdemoulin7203]

@@lostlightart6064 thanks a lot

[@johnrome5827]

You talk a little fast for me. I use closed caption anyway. You might want to use the terms of LF. Swing, tilt, rise fall and shift. It was a good report though. Good job.

[@lostlightart6064]

Yeah I notoced beeing a very fast talker. Sorry 😁

[@nitrousman8882]

not sure what you mean by "ingeniously designed bolts"

[@seboc1]

Print one instead of buying. Shen hao is a little bit expensive, but looks like Rolls Royce.

[@blender_wiki]

Nice review, however comparer to a more professional 4x5 inch camera look a bit like a toy.

[@lostlightart6064]

Everyone has their preferences. I am very satisfied with this camera!

[@davefaulkner6302]

True, but it's also one-third the weight of a Toyo or Wista field camera. Maybe 4 lbs (2 kg) difference.

[@sneeuwwolf1176]

I own a Intrepid mark 3 and If you got the cash then don´t buy it. Quality wise it is less than Ikea. Chips easily, knobs are cheap plastic. Focusing is rough. Even for the price point I would never ever consider buying one again. When I find an old 4x5 with some real quality then it´s to the bin or a new toy for my kids. More Lada than the VW you were expecting. Just a tad better than a home made camera.

[@kenh.5903]

This, in my opinion is a flimsy piece of junk. You've only had it 2 years and it's already having wear issues? I have a toyo Omega 4 x 5 rail camera that has been dragged all over the United States. It's even survived being checked for an airplane flight.😂 I've only had to replace two knobs that were broken because it fell five or six feet onto asphalt and I've replaced the bellows once. It's going strong, never had an issue with rust and it is still perfectly operational. I bought it new 39 years ago.