Intrepid 4x5 mk4

[Ben johns]

I’ve been interested in trying 4x5. The mk4 intrepid 4x5 has a 6 week wait time and obviously no lens. With a lens and a film holder or 2 probably looking at £500. Is that a good buy or would an speed graphic type camera on eBay (providing it’s good quality) be a better buy?

 

[Kevin Allan]

I have an Intrepid Mk III but have never used a Speed Graphic. From the info I have seen on the web, it seems that a Speed Graphic would be around twice the weight of an Intrepid, which may or may not be important for you. Of course, the Speed Graphic will be several decades old and the phrase "in good condition" is a relative one. If you end up having to replace the bellows on an older camera then a 6 week wait might seem like it was worthwhile after all.

 

[Ben johns]

I have an Intrepid Mk III but have never used a Speed Graphic. From the info I have seen on the web, it seems that a Speed Graphic would be around twice the weight of an Intrepid, which may or may not be important for you. Of course, the Speed Graphic will be several decades old and the phrase "in good condition" is a relative one. If you end up having to replace the bellows on an older camera then a 6 week wait might seem like it was worthwhile after all.

True...I liked the fact that most speed graphic cameras come with lenses already. Might be a false economy though

 

[Asha]

There are considerable differences between the two cameras that you mention.
I have used a Graphic and own the Mk3 intrepid.
I've also been fortunate to have used a Mk4 quite recently too.

Tbh I wouldn't rush into purchasing either for the moment ….I've been there and done that with other outfits only to wish I had restrained myself and learnt more about what I actually wanted from the kit.

I have a Wista45 ( the old metal version built like a tank) which resembles a little bit like a Graphic particulaly in weight, size and limited movements.
If you would like to borrow it ( I can supply a 150mm lens with shutter release cable and some film holders too) then I'm happy to send it out to you for a trial period.
Perhaps it would help you to make a decission about what features on an LF outfit are important to you and indeed if LF is actually something that you feel comfortable with.

It will cost you no more than something towards the postal fees ( bear in mind that I live in France!)

 

[Ben johns]

There are considerable differences between the two cameras that you mention.
I have used a Graphic and own the Mk3 intrepid.
I've also been fortunate to have used a Mk4 quite recently too.

Tbh I wouldn't rush into purchasing either for the moment ….I've been there and done that with other outfits only to wish I had restrained myself and learnt more about what I actually wanted from the kit.

I have a Wista45 ( the old metal version built like a tank) which resembles a little bit like a Graphic particulaly in weight, size and limited movements.
If you would like to borrow it ( I can supply a 150mm lens with shutter release cable and some film holders too) then I'm happy to send it out to you for a trial period.
Perhaps it would help you to make a decission about what features on an LF outfit are important to you and indeed if LF is actually something that you feel comfortable with.

It will cost you no more than something towards the postal fees ( bear in mind that I live in France!)

Wow, that’s very generous of you! I will definitely give it some serious thought, little scared about damaging someone else’s equipment to be honest! But I’ll definitely think about it.
The reasons for looking into 4x5 is mainly I really enjoy film cameras and using film over digital. For basically everything I use film now, I have a Leica m2 (which I’m considering selling and going back to my old slr), a zero 6x6 pinhole and a 6x6 folding camera. I basically want a good landscape film camera. I use my a6000 at the moment at while I’ve taken some landscapes with digital that I really love since using 35mm and 120 digital has lost its appeal somewhat. I like the size and how easy it is to use but it doesn’t feel as fulfilling, almost too easy

 

[Asha]

little scared about damaging someone else’s equipment to be honest

Ben; I doubt that you have any intentions of purposely damaging either your own or anyone elses gear.

Incidents can happen but that's part of life…….The Wista is far from new and has seen use so if you put a scratch on it, I likely wouldn't notice ( or be too bothered!) anyway.

I might add that I have had several opportunities to borrow kit to try out and I am extremely grateful for those who trusted me with gear as it has allowed me to make decissions that would otherwise have been difficult and potentially expensive!

In effect Im simply offering a similar opportunity to you..

Entirely your choice!

 

[Ben johns]

Ben; I doubt that you have any intentions of purposely damaging either your own or anyone elses gear.

Incidents can happen but that's part of life…….The Wista is far from new and has seen use so if you put a scratch on it, I likely wouldn't notice ( or be too bothered!) anyway.

I might add that I have had several opportunities to borrow kit to try out and I am extremely grateful for those who trusted me with gear as it has allowed me to make decissions that would otherwise have been difficult and potentially expensive!

In effect Im simply offering a similar opportunity to you..

Entirely your choice!

True! Well I have just managed to get an old Epson that scans 4x5 for £15 so if that works fine then I’ll take you up on your offer

 

[Andysnap]

"bloody foreign cameras, coming over here recording our scenes"

Large format photography is an utter pain in the bum, it's expensive, the equipment is heavy and cumbersome, the technical aspects are complicated and often the shot is ruined by forgetting to do something or equipment failure and you can often get just as good a shot with medium format kit.
So what are you waiting for, when it's right there is nothing that can compare. The detail, resolution and the overall look is incomparable. One day I hope to take a shot that's worth the cost....

I have a Wista Field 45 which is the wood and brass version of Asha's camera, it's awesome. I also have a Chroma which is the modern acrylic version of 5x4, both cameras have their good points and both work extremely well, unfortunately Wista Field cameras are quite expensive nowadays and the Chroma isn't yet available so Asha has made a very good point about having a go first, some people don't take to it.

 

[Peter B]

Large format photography is an utter pain in the bum, it's expensive, the equipment is heavy and cumbersome, the technical aspects are complicated and often the shot is ruined by forgetting to do something or equipment failure and you can often get just as good a shot with medium format kit.
So what are you waiting for, when it's right there is nothing that can compare. The detail, resolution and the overall look is incomparable. One day I hope to take a shot that's worth the cost....

How true is that? Must take my LF kit on my next trip as it hasn't seen the light for a while.

 

[Asha]

True! Well I have just managed to get an old Epson that scans 4x5 for £15 so if that works fine then I’ll take you up on your offer

Flippin' eck , £15 for a 4x5 scanner…..You've just got off to belter of a start in LF !

If you keep getting bargains like that all the LF togs on here will be round to yours to duff you up you'll get set up with LF gear for next to nowt!

I'll await a PM with your full name, postal address ( and a tel No for the courrier)

 

[Asha]

there is nothing that can compare. The detail, resolution and the overall look is incomparable.

All this is very true but also, for me anyway' is using the kit.

I get an enjoyment from actually using LF gear more than I have ever done with other cameras of smaller format.
This even holds true when I may not have even fired the shutter.

 

[Woodsy]

Personally, I shoot nothing but LF now, with the small exception of using a 645 with 105-210mm lens for shooting waves. Yes, it can be annoying and frustrating, but totally worth it imho. I'd say that if you are happy to take your time over rushing, LF is a good choice. As for your original post, £500 seems like a lot, but in reality, that's a basic level DSLR plus a bit. If you can afford it, and having tried it thanks to Asha's very kind offer, I'd say go for it. Also....

*cough* I'm very soon to have up for sale a Nikkor W 210mm F/5.6 lens if you're interested - FS post coming up tonight most likely *cough*

 

[FruitFlakes]

Having spent the best part of an hour loading fiddly 35mm reels (some days they're easy, other days they're right bastards to load!), I'm appreciating the ease at which I can develop my sheet film. Takes me less than 5 mins to load up my processing tank for 5x4 and under a minute to load a sheet of 8x10 into my Paterson Orbital.

 

[Ben johns]

Flippin' eck , £15 for a 4x5 scanner…..You've just got off to belter of a start in LF !

If you keep getting bargains like that all the LF togs on here will be round to yours to duff you up you'll get set up with LF gear for next to nowt!

I'll await a PM with your full name, postal address ( and a tel No for the courrier)

Well it’s only an epson 3200, nothing special. But the seller said you can’t get the drivers to run it with windows 10 64bit. However I’m fairly sure it will work with vuescan, if not only £15

 

[Asha]

Well it’s only an epson 3200, nothing special. But the seller said you can’t get the drivers to run it with windows 10 64bit. However I’m fairly sure it will work with vuescan, if not only £15

Epson scan??

I used that for my old 6480 i think the model was and still scan through the same software with my V700

 

[Ben johns]

Epson scan??

I used that for my old 6480 i think the model was and still scan through the same software with my V700

I use epson scan for the v550 I’ve got atm but I think they stopped updating the drivers for the 3200 a while ago. 3rd party software is the only way. I just checked vuescans website and the 3200 is on there so providing the actual scanner works ill be good to go

 

[StephenM]

I've used an Epson 3200 and used VueScan with no problems.

 

[Asha]

Well Ben @Ben johns is now under pressure to post some beautifully composed and correctly exposed LF shots during the coming weeks as he will soon receive a Wista45 with 150mm Symmar lens and accessories on loan for as long as he wishes ( within reason of course!)

Enjoy the experience Ben, and hopefully we'll have another regular LF shooter in F&C!

 

[Ben johns]

Well Ben @Ben johns is now under pressure to post some beautifully composed and correctly exposed LF shots during the coming weeks as he will soon receive a Wista45 with 150mm Symmar lens and accessories on loan for as long as he wishes ( within reason of course!)

Enjoy the experience Ben, and hopefully we'll have another regular LF shooter in F&C!

Pressure indeed! Would have been nice to have a Lf camera when I went to snowdon a month or so ago. Got a couple of good photos but all digital

 

[stevelmx5]

The Mk4 Intrepid is a really nice design, and an excellent camera overall. I caught up with Max at the Photography Show in April and commandeered (temporarily!) part of his setup for my Chroma ;0)



The latest bed design using aluminium is excellent, and something I’d like to work towards with future Chroma cameras.

Good luck with the Wista, that’s a very generous offer from Asha and cements the fact that this is the best part of the forum :0)

 

[Woodsy]

^^^ so much *like*

 

[F1.2]

Did we ever see any of Ben's work ?

 

[PeterSpencer]

Well it’s only an epson 3200, nothing special. But the seller said you can’t get the drivers to run it with windows 10 64bit. However I’m fairly sure it will work with vuescan, if not only £15

I have that scanner. I hardly use it at all, because I have a V700, but it does work with Vuescan, very definitely if you look at the list of supported scanners. Not a bad choice at all, and the results are easily tweaked with your usual photo editing software. Got to factor in the cost of Vuescan but, bear in mind, you get free updates, so upgrading or replacing your scanner won't invalidate your investment.

 

[Andysnap]

I've got an Epson 4990 which scan up to 5 x 4. I use it all the time and its ok.