Intrepid 8x10
In some alternate universe we imagine there is a popular saying, "Go light or go home." Thankfully, we don't need much experience with quantum mechanics to appreciate the lightweight nature of the Intrepid 8x10 camera.
Designed and manufactured by the UK-based Intrepid Camera Co., the Intrepid 8x10 is likely the most lightweight 8x10 camera you will ever heft in your arms. It may very well be the most lightweight 8x10 ever made in the history of all 8x10 cameras (excluding that summer art project where you built an 8x10 out of cardboard). Without lens, the Intrepid 8x10 weighs less than five pounds, which is about 1/3 of the average weight these cameras typically make you haul around.
Don't mistake its light weight for an inability to do the things you would need an 8x10 field camera to do. It has a pretty full range of movements, including: 70mm of front rise and 65mm of front fall; +/- 55mm front shift and +/- 35 degrees of rear tilt; 45 degrees of center axis front tilt, and +45 degrees of front swing. All this to go along with a minimum-maximum bellows extension of 40-600mm.
The Intrepid 8x10 was designed to use Sinar lens boards but there are many options when it comes to this element of the camera. Intrepid produces their own proprietary lens boards. Another option is to get a reducing board, to make use of the Linhof Technika 4x5 lens boards. This is especially handy if you also have the 4x5 reducing back that Intrepid offers for this camera - keep in mind that the Intrepid 4x5 camera uses those Linhof lens boards too, allowing you to share the same boards between two Intrepid cameras of different formats!
The one general downside to this camera is the same weakness shared amongst most ultra-lightweight field cameras, and that is stability. The lighter the camera, the more commonly stability is one of the prices to pay. There is a decent amount of wiggle room to its standards, even when locked. You have to ask yourself the question; if more stability requires another 10 pounds of camera, is it worth it?
Ultimately, we'll leave you to answer that question. Go light, or stay home?
za/sd
Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc
- sales@bluemooncamera.com
- (503) 978-0333
- (503) 978-0370
-
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203
All rights reserved ©2024, Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc