The Intrepid 4x5 is a large format camera designed for photographers who appreciate the unique qualities of 4x5 film. This quickstart guide provides essential information for setting up, packing away, troubleshooting, and understanding the camera's features, making it accessible for both new and experienced large format users.
Function Description:
The Intrepid 4x5 is a field camera that allows for precise control over focus and perspective through its movable front and rear standards. It is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it suitable for outdoor and travel photography. The camera utilizes 4x5 inch sheet film, offering a large negative size that provides exceptional detail, dynamic range, and a distinctive aesthetic. Its design emphasizes simplicity and functionality, providing a robust platform for creative exploration in large format photography. The camera's ability to accept various lenses and film backs (including roll film and instant film backs) enhances its versatility, catering to a wide range of photographic styles and preferences.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Lens Board Size: The camera uses lens boards measuring 96mm x 99mm. This standard size allows compatibility with a wide array of lenses from different manufacturers.
- Tripod Mounts: It features both 1/4" and 3/8" tripod mounts, ensuring compatibility with most standard tripods. This dual mounting option provides flexibility for different tripod plate sizes and stability requirements.
- Lens Mounting Guide: The manual provides guidance on where to mount lenses based on their focal length:
- 75mm* - 120mm lenses are typically mounted in the innermost position (position 1). The asterisk indicates that this range might refer to lenses requiring a recessed lens board for infinity focus.
- 120mm - 150mm lenses are mounted in position 2.
- 150mm - 210mm lenses are mounted in position 3.
- 240mm - 300mm lenses are mounted in the outermost position (position 4).
This guide helps users achieve infinity focus and proper bellows compression for various focal lengths.
- Ground Glass: The camera is equipped with a ground glass for focusing and composing images. It can be enhanced with an optional Fresnel screen for brighter viewing, especially beneficial in low light or with wide-angle lenses.
- Graflok / International Back: The Intrepid 4x5 features a Graflok / international back, which allows for the easy attachment of roll film and instant film backs. This enhances the camera's versatility beyond traditional sheet film.
- Hex/Allen Key: A 2mm Hex/Allen key is required for adjusting lens board screws and Graflok clips, as well as for tightening the focus retaining ring.
Usage Features:
- Setting Up:
- Screw the tripod mount into the camera base and attach it to a tripod.
- Loosen the rear standard screws, raise the rear, and pull the front standard forwards to extend the bellows.
- Tighten the screws and lock the rear standard at 90 degrees.
- Raise the front standard and tighten its controls.
- Screw the front standard into the desired base mount position according to the lens mounting guide (page 10).
- Verify that all movements are zeroed and locked down.
- Mount your lens, and the camera is ready for use.
- Packing Away:
- Remove the lens and any other accessories.
- Unscrew the front standard from the base.
- Loosen all front standard movement controls.
- Push the front standard down as far as it will go.
- Loosen the rear standard screws on each side.
- Hold the front and rear standards together, then gently fold them down.
- Tighten the rear standard controls to lock the camera flat.
Important Tip: Always remove your lens before folding down the camera to prevent damage.
- Zeroing the Camera: To ensure the camera is zeroed, check that the rear standard is at 90 degrees and the front standard is aligned with the metal supports on either side. Two notches on the base of the front standard assist with alignment. Spirit levels on both the front and rear standards also aid in precise leveling.
- Portrait to Landscape Orientation: The rear standard rotates and is held in place by magnets, allowing for quick switching between portrait and landscape orientations. Gently push down on the rear standard to initiate the turn.
- Mounting Roll Film and Instant Film Backs: The Graflok / international back allows users to easily pop off the ground glass frame and fit roll film or instant film backs. Ensure the back is locked into place with the two sliders.
Maintenance Features:
- Adjusting Lens Board Screws and Graflok Clips: A 2mm Hex/Allen key is used to adjust these components, ensuring a secure fit for lens boards and film backs.
- Adjusting Focus Tension: If the focus feels loose or unstable, there is a black retaining ring with a small grub screw located in front of the focus wheel. Tightening this screw with a 2mm Allen / Hex key will restore proper tension.
- Replacing Ground Glass: In case of breakage, replacement ground glass is available from the manufacturer. To replace, carefully remove any glass fragments, unscrew the two ground glass clips (using a PH00 screwdriver), fit the new glass, and secure the clips back in place.
- Troubleshooting Lens Board Fit: If a Technika / Linhof style lens board doesn't fit, the screws holding the lens board slider can be loosened with a 2mm Allen / Hex wrench to accommodate variations in thickness.
- Troubleshooting Tripod Screw Length: If the tripod screw is too long and catches when extending focus, users can switch to a shorter screw or add a washer to reduce its effective length.
- Fresnel Screen Installation: For brighter ground glass viewing, especially with wide-angle lenses or in low light, a Fresnel screen can be mounted on the outside of the ground glass. The manufacturer provides a step-by-step video guide on their website for this installation.
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