Intrepid 4x5 - Let the Noob Questions Commence

flook999

flook999

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Hopefully I'm wrong about this and someone can call me a noob, but I think there's a problem with my shiny new toy

One of the "features" of the intrepid mk4 is the magnets which locate the ground glass when rotating between landscape and portrait position. I think mine are missing or installed incorrectly.

The first picture below is off the interweb, and is an earlier model (mk3?) but the magnets are clearly at each corner (circled in red)

the second picture is mine, the magnets (2 of them circled in blue) are on the outside of the back standard and, unless there are opposites embedded in the plywood, are doing nothing.

When rotating the back there is a little bit of a settling into position, however it is tenuous at best and would easily be disturbed in use.

So, do i have a lemon? or is this how they are now?

thanks


intrepid magnets.JPG

intrepid mk4.jpg
 
Asha said:

If you look at the mk4 pics on the website then the back appears to be correct .
I only have black 3D printed version now that has rotating back but will take a look at that if you wish.
Afaik the magnets are embedded but still make contact and do what they need to do.
Click to expand...

thanks @Asha , I think you're correct. Seems a step backward from the mk3 version tbh. It does sort of "settle", but it's not secure by any stretch of the imagination. Alarm bells rang as I think I recall someone on here saying theirs arrived without the magnets, 2+2=5 in this case....
 
When you say settle, does it effectively 'click' lightly into place when it reaches vertical and horizontal?

The black 3d printed version has a rear standard that resembles your first image ( ie like the MK3)
Once it 'clicks' into position, there is a little bit or movement of the back) about a mm from matched position with the fixed part of the rear standard but nothing to be concerned about when mounting filmholders.

Both the 5x7 and 10x8 versions require the back to be removed and , physically roatetd and replaced.
Straight forward enough even if a little unnerving when seperating the magnets which hold the back and rear standard together ( They are firm so a slip and one could drop the back!)
Nonetheless it is imperative that the two sections are seated correctly along all four edges before proceding with focusing etc.

I have other more expensive cameras with a similar method for changing orientation which don't have magnets and are, I generally find easier. Saying that, with the most expensive, the Canham much more care and concentration is required and it takes longer to achieve than the Walker Titan and Chamonix .
The latter i might add is without doubt the easiest .

Rotatable backs like what you have are imo the 'safest' in so far as remaining attached to the camera thus eliminating the possibility of dropping the back.

Have a play with it using an empty film holder , seeing if there is movement when inserting / removing the holder and darkslide.

Should your concerns remain, drop intrepid a line .....They WILL stand by their products and help you out!
 
there is no click as suck, but there is a very subtle feedback, which does suggest there is some form of location going on. When in position either portrait or landscape, there is a little movement, maybe a mm either direction, but that's without a film holder in place. I'll try it with a holder tomorrow and see what happens.

If the magnets are concealed behind the ply, it's hardly surprising that the bond is weak :/
 
Silly question, but are there definitely magnets in those holes on the back of your camera? Zooming in on the picture here it looks more like a pair of empty holes?
 
stevelmx5 said:
Silly question, but are there definitely magnets in those holes on the back of your camera? Zooming in on the picture here it looks more like a pair of empty holes?
Click to expand...

not such a silly question as I had to look twice to make sure they were there. They are set deep so not easy to see, but they are there. Been too busy to think about this the last couple of days but will have a proper look soon and if needs by contact intrepid
 
flook999 said:
not such a silly question as I had to look twice to make sure they were there. They are set deep so not easy to see, but they are there. Been too busy to think about this the last couple of days but will have a proper look soon and if needs by contact intrepid
Click to expand...
I have the Mk4 and must admit that I'd never noticed magnets on the back. I've just googled their site for "magnet" with no results - it was never a feature I was aware of with Intrepid. I think that is one of the upgrades that makes Steve's Chroma's that much "next level" (not that I've had the pleasure of using one).
 
Shugpug said:
I have the Mk4 and must admit that I'd never noticed magnets on the back. I've just googled their site for "magnet" with no results - it was never a feature I was aware of with Intrepid. I think that is one of the upgrades that makes Steve's Chroma's that much "next level" (not that I've had the pleasure of using one).
Click to expand...

the magnetic lock is mentioned in a couple of youtube reviews I've watched for the mk4. Of course I have no idea which ones :)

Just to add, I was edging towards the Chroma myself but the entry level model appeared to disappear from the site just before I was ready to buy and I wasn't prepared to pay twice the intrepid cost for the available model
 
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flook999 said:
will have a proper look soon and if needs by contact intrepid
Click to expand...

Tbh I wouldn't hesitate any longer in contacting them.

They don't bite! ;)

They are afterall only human and have an ability to make errors, so perhaps you have been unfortunate to fall upon a lemon.

In all fairness, you have bought new from them so imo any immediate issues are better addressed directly to manufacturer/ retailer rather than public forums/ social media.

I appreciate that it was a sunday when you posted this thread thus impossible to make contact with them so to put out a general question to those who have the camera was a completely natural thing to do.
Now however, it is clear that you have concerns over how the back is functioning so is it not time to go straight to the organ grinder?

That's not to say that we're all monkies on here ......well some might be:exit::LOL::LOL:
 
Asha said:
Tbh I wouldn't hesitate any longer in contacting them.

They don't bite! ;)

They are afterall only human and have an ability to make errors, so perhaps you have been unfortunate to fall upon a lemon.

In all fairness, you have bought new from them so imo any immediate issues are better addressed directly to manufacturer/ retailer rather than public forums/ social media.

I appreciate that it was a sunday when you posted this thread thus impossible to make contact with them so to put out a general question to those who have the camera was a completely natural thing to do.
Now however, it is clear that you have concerns over how the back is functioning so is it not time to go straight to the organ grinder?

That's not to say that we're all monkies on here ......well some might be:exit::LOL::LOL:
Click to expand...

Once I'm sure I have an issue I will do that, but at the moment I'm not sure and haven't had time to have a proper look (don't you hate it when work gets in the way of real life?) There's one or two other bits and pieces I want to look at so I can address everything at once, again once I'm sure there is actually something to address :)
 
flook999 said:
Once I'm sure I have an issue I will do that, but at the moment I'm not sure and haven't had time to have a proper look (don't you hate it when work gets in the way of real life?) There's one or two other bits and pieces I want to look at so I can address everything at once, again once I'm sure there is actually something to address :)
Click to expand...

Fair enough.

You might find it quicker and easier to clarify wether or not there is an issue to be addressed by chatting with Max and the gang at Intrepid.

We can only offer advice based on how our Intrepids look, function and compare to yours based purely on tesxt and photographs.

A manufacturer knows ( or at least should know) his/ her product inside out and all the potential flaws thus abale to rectify any problems much more efficiently.

However you decide to resolve this, I wish you well.
 
flook999 said:
the magnetic lock is mentioned in a couple of youtube reviews I've watched for the mk4. Of course I have no idea which ones :)

Just to add, I was edging towards the Chroma myself but the entry level model appeared to disappear from the site just before I was ready to buy and I wasn't prepared to pay twice the intrepid cost for the available model
Click to expand...

Sorry about that. As I wanted to launch the new medium format '679' system, and still being literally the entirety of Chroma manufacturing/design/shipping/marketing/coffee boy, I had to make the decision to remove my Advanced45 model from my site for the time being. I'm hoping to reintroduce it later in the year though, once I've got through the 58 other Advanced45 cameras I currently have on my build list!
 
Shugpug said:
I have the Mk4 and must admit that I'd never noticed magnets on the back. I've just googled their site for "magnet" with no results - it was never a feature I was aware of with Intrepid. I think that is one of the upgrades that makes Steve's Chroma's that much "next level" (not that I've had the pleasure of using one).
Click to expand...

Thanks, although I believe Intrepid have had embedded magnets in their cameras since the MK1, although they are only used to 'lock' the rotating back into horizontal/vertical position.
 
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