intrepid Cameras new Kickstarter.

[MrDrizz]

Intrepid have a new kick starter campaign for a shutter/lens for 4x5 cameras.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/intrepidcamera/the-intrepid-lens-and-shutter-project?rdt_cid=4361078954107429771&ref=69jzmj

The combo deal they are offering could be enough for me to finally pull the trigger.

Thoughts?

 

[Kevin Allan]

I can see that there is definitely a need for new shutters and lenses to enter the market, to keep large format alive in the long term; and the kickstarter price is not outrageous. But I feel that having the controller device hanging in mid-air is going to be awkward to use in the field.

 

[StephenM]

I'm always wary of shutters that rely on batteries, but that said I'm very tempted (read, almost certain) to go for it. The idea that they will attempt scaling up to larger shutters later appeals greatly as many of my lenses require Copal 1 or Copal 3 shutters.

The worry I have with this happy thought of bigger shutters being made available down the line is the track record of scaling up - the 10x8 enlarger seems to have dropped of the radar, although I am still hoping for 5x7 film holders.

I'm intrigued about the lens design. I know why the Cooke triplet was such a good (and ingenious at the time) design but wonder why they didn't go one element further and make it a Tessar. Lenses of that design were still being made for LF cameras until very recently.

 

[MrDrizz]

I can see that there is definitely a need for new shutters and lenses to enter the market, to keep large format alive in the long term; and the kickstarter price is not outrageous. But I feel that having the controller device hanging in mid-air is going to be awkward to use in the field.

Yes that could be an issue but I think you can control it via Bluetooth so you could strap the until to the tripod leg and be hands free.

 

[MrDrizz]

I'm always wary of shutters that rely on batteries, but that said I'm very tempted (read, almost certain) to go for it. The idea that they will attempt scaling up to larger shutters later appeals greatly as many of my lenses require Copal 1 or Copal 3 shutters.

The worry I have with this happy thought of bigger shutters being made available down the line is the track record of scaling up - the 10x8 enlarger seems to have dropped of the radar, although I am still hoping for 5x7 film holders.

I'm intrigued about the lens design. I know why the Cooke triplet was such a good (and ingenious at the time) design but wonder why they didn't go one element further and make it a Tessar. Lenses of that design were still being made for LF cameras until very recently.

I have pulled the trigger for the full set, camera, shutter and lens.
It will be my first true 4x5 the pinhole I made doesn't count

At least I have film holders and the kit to develop. I will just need a way to scan them.