Wood is out, replaced by anodised aluminium and 3D printed parts. Say hello to the Intrepid Camera’s Black Edition 4×5. The camera is the latest creation from the UK based company whose offices are just a few hundred meters from Brighton’s Palace Pier.
The new camera, available in limited quantities starting March 27th, is a very different beast from the original “MK1” which debuted on Kickstarter in the Autumn of 2016 and went on to raise over £63,000. For a start, there’s not even a splinter of wood to be seen.
If you think the new Black Edition 4×5 looks familiar, you’re not far off. The camera is based on the MK4 and provides exactly the same features/functions but with a weight saving of 200 grams/0.4lb. Full technical specifications follow.
| Camera name | INTREPID BLACK EDITION | INTREPID 4X5 MK4 |
| Lens board | Linhof/Technika | Linhof/Technika |
| Lens range | 75mm-300mm (75mm may require a recessed lens board) | 75mm-300mm (75mm may require a recessed lens board) |
| Tripod mount | 1/4” and 3/8” | 1/4” and 3/8” |
| Focusing screen | Included high quality ground glass screen with a 1/2” grid | Included high quality ground glass screen with a 1/2” grid |
| Max bellows ext | 320mm | 320mm |
| Min bellows ext | 75mm | 75mm |
| Max front rise/fall | +42mm / -30mm | +42mm / -30mm |
| Max front shift | +/- 30mm | +/- 30mm |
| Max front tilt | +/- 45º | +/- 45º |
| Max front swing | +/- 45º | +/- 45º |
| Rear tilt | +/- 30º | +/- 30º |
| Dimensions | 180x180x78mm (WxDxH folded) | 180x180x78mm (WxDxH folded) |
| Weight | 1 Kg/2.2 Ib | 1.2 Kg/2.6 Ib |
The material choice of black anodised aluminium and 3D printed parts for the Black Edition 4×5 is a departure for Intrepid but don’t be put off by the idea of 3D printed plastic – according to the company it’s a renewable, plant-derived bioplastic, engineered for strength and durability and “won’t impact the Earth”. Intrepid have also been using 3DP for components in their standard cameras for a while now, so you should consider this a case of product testing in the market.
Looking around the camera, everything you’d expect to be present is there: Linhof/Technika lens board compatibility, chunky threaded locks for easy grip in the field, a standard Graflok back, which means it can take pretty much every modern roll film/instant film back and Intrepid’s own Intrepid Enlarger.
The camera is available for purchase right now and although I’ve been told that it’s a limited edition, I’ve not been told exactly how many units are being made available. What I can tell you is that it retails for a very reasonable £320 and production times are currently 2-3 weeks.
If you’ve been thinking about jumping into the world of large format or are simply a collector of these wonderful cameras.
Have fun,
~ EM
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