Intrepid Compact Enlarger Unboxing and First Impressions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.พ. 2024
- I bought a Compact Enlarger kit from Intrepid to use in my temporary darkroom. Let’s unbox it and see what our first impressions are.
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You know, part of the greatness of your videos is they're not perfect, they're human, you make a great video that's very informative.
Thanks, I try!
I don’t script anything, it sounds fake
Nice review! I bought this enlarger during the kick starter. Like you I tried to use it like a standard enlarger from the get go...until I read the instructions...very funny. Then the instruction suggested started with C50M50Y50 and that seemed very strange because we have all been told that would just be a neutral density and probably result in a black (or least very dark print). I wrote Intrepid about this and they answered this way. The intrepid is a projected light system rather than filtered. Unlike a standard enlarger that had all the colors in the light source which are then filtered out the intrepid projects light of each color. You want to project equal amounts of each as a starting point. From there you never need to change the cyan light (always 50) and just adjust the other two. Once the starting point is set the color cast difference between filter setting is not that much different from what we are used to with a standard enlarger. Interesting difference is that starting at 50-50-50 allows you to reduce magenta and yellow below what would normally be zero (i.e. minus values). It's a learning process but easy to get used to. I think Intrepid came out with a firmware update to fix this in the exactly the way you said. I never tried uploading it because the process was quite complex. Something maybe they will fix in the future.
I am so happy you reviewed that! There are videos from ppl using it, but all the important details are carefully avoided. Thanks for showing what you did see.
I lucked out and got a brand new Intrepid Compact Enlarger for less than half price on eBay (including some C41 chemistry). I just did my first ever print last night (Black and White), it’s amazing, really easy to use.
It’s interesting but my Schneider Componon-S 50mm lens fits perfectly with the aperture window pointing exactly forwards.
Flip the focusing bars with the adjuster on top then it won’t drop off when you remove the magnetic bellows.
I haven’t tried it yet but there is a firmware update available.
I'm a Compact Enlarger user in the UK, and I think it's great product but I don't have extensive use of professional enlargers to compare to. It's made life easy for me, it's saved tons of space in my home office. I've made some improvements to its design mostly around the light emitting from the control panel, plus the two rods that stick out the top I bought a locking ring (a small ring with a grub screw). This stops it slipping down and even dropping out (especially if you have an expensive APO enlarger lens attached) as I have no confidence in the two small side mounted tightening screws. In fact I think they gave up their threads after a few over tightenings.
I bought a fairly cheap Meopta baseboard and column with quick release plate and the enlarger head sits fairly straight and flush. The Meopta column angles out over the base board with a 70cm height, I can essentially make large 16x20 inch prints. I didnt want to invest in any second hand old enlargers, which require bulbs and parts which are no longer in supply. Intrepid have re-invented the wheel and its a pretty good, affordable alternative.
I love that you got to twenty minutes in and then said "let's read the instructions" - lol. Nice compact setup, I'm looking forward to seeing your results.
I use this setup but with my 4x5 Intrepid camera mk4 black, I just made a 12x16 print for the first time with it, I also like the filtration settings for BW especially when it comes to split grade printing. I had to slightly modify the light box so that it fit in the dark slide slot with the ground glass removed. Another problem I had with using the 4x5 camera was when doing a 12x16 print it was impossible to use the grain finder when trying to reach the focus knob on the very top.
So I drilled and tapped the focus threaded rod with a 4mm thread, then I inserted a 8 inch threaded rod using thread lock, then made a 3d printed knob and epoxied this to the rod, I now can easily focus at full height on a large print.
It works good
I’m so glad you made this video. I’ve had the compact enlarger for a few years now and I’ve always wondered how it compares. Make sure to not twist the connector as it has pins. My bubble level on mine was way off.
I believe I flipped the entire focus assembly to have the knob at the top if I remember correctly I just moved and this is currently in storage, but my main problem with it is the buttons, they don't have a proper "debounce" set up on them, so essentially what that means is a timer looking for a button to be pressed a certain amount of time before it actually operates, but I do like it, though my tape is starting to come off of the carrier, also I had to sand the edges of the carrier to prevent them from scratching the tape. I am glad they are making this though !
Hope the see real Darkroom sessions with this kit!
Thank you for the video!
i had the same problem with the aperture showing up on the backside you can remove the lens cord and mount it the other way with the side screws. also since I use it on a cop stand I have a tripod head in between the enlarger body and the copy stand so I have a quick release plate and I can change it for the camera for scanning
frank
Glad you mentioned durst I have a 605 it's useful
I print with this enlarger and was wondering the same thing about “random” CMY starting points, so I asked Intrepid. They responded that this is correct because each colour has a different strength and sensitivity level to the darkroom paper.
I didn’t have problems with lenses, I have only 2 though (Componon 80mm and Nikkor 50mm) They both face correct direction and aperture can be easily adjusted.
I don’t own filter kit (the price is ridiculous right now) so I kinda eye ball my color adjustments 😅 The filtration is quite strong though you can see the difference on the print by 1-2points.
A set of enlarger lens, thin shim washers would be useful to solve the lens orientation issue. It'd cost pennies to provide a set.
Greg, excelent initial review of the Intrepid enlarger. You have rased some interesting points, especially basic things like a simple circular lensboard and Intrepid should try and respond. A better idea for the 1/4 20 would be to install both, a 1/4 20 and the 3/8, placed to the left and right of the center screw, so that it does not interfere with it, and a benifit is that the lower standard could be suported by the lower part of the stand, unlike when you used the adapter and it was free floating.
Once again many thanks for a great review, and looking foreward to the filliw up print test?
They've been quite fast at Intrepid making upgrades, since their website claims this enlarger has both 1/4 and 3/8 mounting holes.
I have been wondering what your take on this would be! Thanks!
you can touch parts with your lips to check if they are made of metal or plastic. Metal feels cold. People might look strange at you in stores but it works.
I switched the unit around so the focusing knob is on the top. It being on the bottom my hand cast a shadow on the baseboard when focusing. It would be interesting to see how the unit’s b&w contrast “filters” compare with the Ilford filters - something I’m sure you’ll want to test.
I get why they ship it the other way (makes it easier for people using the light for scanning), but I found it almost unusable with the knob on the bottom
Interesting! Bubble levels are nice and are an inexpensive "check" on the allignment of the head and enlarger base. But they will work, provided, the table that the enlarger base sits is also level. so maybe you could insert a clip checking the level of the table/base.
I use my phone, which has a simple bubble level app. Calibrate it on the table and everything is singing the same tune. I place the phone on the top plate and adjust the alignment where necessary (both forward facing and side). Then I check the easel and shim with paper where necessary. To get it perfect I adjust the easel to lens alignment with a laser from a bullet (its a bullet casing with a laser inside, I believe gun owners use them to align their sights by loading it into the chamber of the gun, available at all good gun shops folks). The laser bullet sits on the easel board, points up (I get it dead square by seating the bullet on blue-tack and getting it dead vertical using protractors or rafter square). The enlarger lens will have a filter screwed into it to help reflect the laser back. As you know when the laser points straight back to itself I'm good to go. The bubbles on the intrepid are a joke.
To have the diaphragms readable I created a thin ring to put between the lens and the base. The only real problem is when inserting a film strip, they bend inside, I use a piece of old 120mm film to avoid this. No one has another system.
Kinda curious how this is going to work out. I just puzzled together a Vivitar enlarger.
I've had mine for a little while now and have used it only for color 35mm enlargements so far. Plan to get to MF hopefully soon-ish. There are a few things I wish they also might have done differently with the design. I think it would have been better to have used encoders for the knobs rather than the potentiometers. There's a bit of hysteresis that makes getting back to a specific value a little touchy. Also, if they ever redesign it, it would be better to change the location or even shape of the Run button. In the dark it's a little hard to locate. I know they provide the little notch in the face plate that you can feel for to help locate the button. But it's still a little awkward.
I'm eager to see your next video. I'm wondering if you will experience an issue(?) that I'm running into with mine. Using the 35mm neg carrier I get about a good full stop of fall off in light from the center to the edges. I measured it using an old Beseler color analyzer I have. If change my lens to an 80mm I can knock it down to about a third of a stop and it's not as noticeable. But I was wondering why in some (a lot) of my prints the center of the photos were coming out much darker/denser. I went back to my Vivtar color enlarger with a 50mm lens and everything was as it should be. So, has me scratching my head a bit.
I stuck a little domed rubber thingy (sold as rubberised feet, 3M I think), to the Run and safelight buttons on mine.
Re- falloff, a lot of the early testers reported that for 6x9, not heard anyone suggest it for 35mm. I've not noticed, but I'm too new to all this, and suspect I just have liw standards 😂
I wanted to suggest a geared tripod head where you can easily make adjustments. This was you just put an Arca plate in the head and easily attach. This way the head is solidly attached to the mount. This would stick out a bit but I think that’s actually a good thing.
I did want to do this for mine, but geared heads seem crazy expensive (alignment is a bit of a pain)
It’s made in the UK, so it’s aluminium. Seriously though, it’s nice to see a new enlarger on the market.
I got one on the kickstarter and I was disappointed firstly I noticed using the 35mm carrier it’s hard trying to slide a film strip of 6 in it with out crunching your film in the head , you can pull the flap down at the front but with the magnets being so strong your definitely going to imbalance the enlarger head , second the focus screw is grippy making it hard to get that fine focus and you can’t update the controller with a Mac you need a windows system
Do you know if the timer is capable of f-stop exposure printing? Thanks for another great video.
There's no mention of it in the user's guide, but if enough people request this feature perhaps it could be implemented in a future firmware update
Not that I see
I knew about the larger model but did not know they came out with a compact version. I haven’t heard anyone complain about the color settings for the original version. I’m wondering if it’s a limitation with the LEDs they sourced. They are supposedly calibrated according to the website. I bet they’re matched to a standard but the head can’t output the full range of whatever spectrum so they cap it at those values. I only print B&W so I may be totally misunderstanding how that works. My Beseler 23C’s little red prism perfectly aligns with my lens aperture ring without any fuss so it’s definitely a standard, and one that intrepid was not keyed into. It’s awesome seeing a company still producing enlargers and I hope they’ll learn from people’s feedback.
FWIW, I think they changed the numeric range at one point. They used to suggest starting values of 50/50/50, but that's not possible on the current firmware , and the newer manual suggest 100/100/100 (the 50 setting is still mentioned in one of their getting started videos).
i've had mine for over a year now. gotta say the only draw back is that the marketing hints at the enlarger being portable which it is, but they should make it out of better material and not 3d printed/cheap plastic. Other than that it's great for anyone who doesn't have a permanent set up c:
I think the issue is that this is very much a niche product. Something like injection molding is prohibitely expensive for such small scale manufacturing, it only makes sense in bigger production volumes. Something like... CNC from a block of aluminium probably isn't very cheap either. Very few would be willing to spend a four-digit amount of €/$/£ for an enlarger that doesn't even include baseboard and stand.
@@markuslarjomaa3122
right. no one really prints in the darkroom. it's an ultra luxury at least in my house. Something i became privy too when the guy at the camera store tried charging me $200 for 100 8x10 b&w darkroom papers.
What i know is that the contrast filter on the intrepid are based on a universal conttrast tone 0-5, so i'm assuming the color grades are the same.
the enlarger is essentially like any large format camera, it really all depends on the lens you put on it.
I’m really curious about the Intrepid and have been on the fence about buying one. I have very limited darkroom space so it would work great in that respect but am wondering how sharp the results are
Sharpness is up to the lens you choose to use.
Great video! What’s the difference between negatives developed for condenser enlargers and diffusion enlargers?
The amount of contrast.
Diffusion vs. Condenser Enlarger
th-cam.com/video/VQ-9Ch5biKc/w-d-xo.html
@@TheNakedPhotographer oh, thanks. Perfect 👍
Couple of tips:
- Reverse the focus knob so that it's above the bellows (there's too much wiggle when it's below the lens, and my arm got in the way a lot)
- I stuck a couple of rubber bits on the run and safelight buttons to make them easier to find without lights on
- tape over the micro usb port, it leaks light. Theres also a small green light on the power supply that i taped over.
- I used a white gel pen to mark the 100 positions on the colour filters, and 2.5 on the b&w
- hold the mode button keys you switch the focus to red light
Grade 5 b&w isn't quite grade 5, I've not tried a filter on the white light that would be intersting to try (white is a seperate set of LEDs).
Don't expect too much from the colour, small changes on the values make big shifts in filtration, fine adjustments don't work well for me.
The buttons can be sticky, it's quite annoying,
All that aside, it gets the job done, and works well for my needs. My entire darkroom setup is in a small box under my desk. It's also silent, which makes it less annoying for my wife+dog.
What kind of a stand do you use? I tried to imagine how that might work for me. A tripod I have won't work because of the leg braces that are in the way of a light. So either I buy a new one with a horisontal arm, or a copy stand, or an old enlarger for its column. And a lens.
@@Girbasova I have a tripod with a reversible central column, that's worked best for me. I do want to buy/build a copy stand at some point. They just seem weirdly expensive.
@@TristanColgate I wish there were a second mount at 90° so the shorter side of a paper woudl fit between the legs.. we need a L-bracket for this :)
@@Girbasova with the center post inverted and one level of extension on the legs , I can fit my 8x10 easel under. The legs get in the way when I do test strips, but it's just manageable. A copy stand or enlarger stand would be far far easier!
Ok, not all enlarger lenses have the facility, but that looks like (judging by the lever) a Schneider Componon, which has a 'preset' whereby you can flick the lever to full open, for focussing etc. then move the lever the other way to the 'set' aperture, so seeing the other side, isn't that crucial.
Yes, that’s how it works, but it’s still a poor design by Intrepid.
my issue would be to be locked in a system where there is no f-stop printing capability. Thst would be possible via software, though.
That doesn’t bother me since I don’t use that system.
Tip: put an elastic band around the thread of your lens to act as a washer. That'll turn your lens.
I have some shim washers on the way
@@TheNakedPhotographer I was wondering if getting the cheapest Chinese 39mm polarizer, knocking the glass out and screwing it between the board and the lens wouldn't give the ability to rotate the lens freely?
Check you have 2.02 firmware, it improves the enlarger a lot.
It was delivered two days ago, shouldn’t it be the latest?
@@TheNakedPhotographer It should be, you can check on your display.
It is 2.11, the newest on their site
While it would obviously be preferable for the Intrepid enlarger to have a separate lens board that you could rotate freely... if you happen to use EL-Nikkors, they (at least the later, more plasticky N series) feature a rotating aperture scale making the Intrepid's fixed lens mount a non-issue.
I use two schneider lenses and both thread on with the aperture number facing forward, they work just fine
Then it is inconsistency in building these and not installing the ring in the same orientation on each unit
@@TheNakedPhotographerMine lines up as well. Have you tried different lenses?
Two lenses, same result
@@TheNakedPhotographermy lenses are the same ax yours I think (SK compnonon S, I have a 50 and 40). I think you're right about carelessness in the assembly. They might ship a replacement? I'd definitely email them about it though. It might be that I just got lucky and that they aren't even considering that thread alignment
I don't think that Intrepid think seriusly that somebody will use this "enlarger" for colour.
Looking this "enlarger" and my Meopta Magnifax4 (that is not at all a great enlarger), I can not consider the Intrepid one an enlarger.
Body language doesn't lie, has been funny see you discovering this engineering master piece😅.
Hey, I think that my Magnifax 4 is pretty good :). I have the Meograde variable contrast head, it sure is handy.
the firmware for the enlarger was done by an amateur, sadly. for example, the buttons debounce is really bad. i would fix this, but they do not provide the source code (
the magnets are too strong to be useful. there are lots of light leaks around the inserts. flimsy mounting system was not well designed.
curious to hear what you find out after some usage
I've pondered tying to hack something together myself (it's an Arduino, and uses The standard flash tool,). I'd love to add f-stop printing.
@@TristanColgate that's very interesting. debugging such a thing can eat a lot of time but can turn this into a really useful tool. please share if you have success
The de-bounce has been corrected on the latest firmware version, please see the guides section of our website for how to upgrade it
@@IntrepidCameraCo it is likely i haven't upgraded to the latest firmware last time i printed. thank you for getting it sorted. i will try it next time i print
I have to disagree with you on the 3/8th mounting hole point. I feel this enlarger is marketed to people that don't already have an enlarger/enlarger stand but do have a copy stand or tripod for scanning, making the 1/4-20 mount much more universal.
Their site says it has both, but mine came with only the 1/4-20. A female reducing bushing is easier to use on a 3/8-16 hole than the male adapter I was forced to use.
@TheNakedPhotographer didn't see that on the site, fair point then,. Mine didn't have an adapter either.
What do you mean "not developed for a condenser enlarger"? Would you be willing to share some info about that? Thanks!
I made a video on the topic awhile back Diffusion vs. Condenser Enlarger
th-cam.com/video/VQ-9Ch5biKc/w-d-xo.html
@@TheNakedPhotographer Thanks!
@@TheNakedPhotographer Awesome, just watched it, very informative as always. It's really interesting that the development times differ, wonder how that impacts scanning? If I always both scan and print my photos which head type is better? Does it even make a difference?
If you are doing both, a diffusion enlarger is closer to scanning since you are most likely using a diffused light for scanning
@@TheNakedPhotographer That makes sense. I scan with dedicated film scanners so never really had to figure out what kind of light source they have... Anyway thanks, fortunately my enlarger is a diffuser type so I guess I'll stick to normal development times. Sorry to bother I'm pretty new to printing.
I liked your review, but found it painful to watch.
As it was Intrepid I was already in-trepidation mode, but still painful.
I love that they’re out there and trying, but everything they make seems to take 4 model iterations to take customer feedback to bring out something they should be baseline. I hope they are able to up their game because they have great potential.
I’m concerned it’s going to be painful to use
@@TheNakedPhotographerperhaps some simple wall mount setup instead of that Durst. Also, I assume you chose that over an old 23c in order to make more modern /timely/interesting content. Personally not in market for such a thing but will watch to see you max out its potential.
I spoke with intrepid about the filtration too. I requested to them to give me some guidance or at least a correlation with other products. No reply whatsoever.
Durst C35!
1:28: what did you mean by none of your negatives are developed for a condenser enlarger? What's the real difference here?
Condenser enlargers create more contrast in the print than diffusion enlargers even when using the same contrast filter. You need to adjust your film development time to compensate since most published times are for a diffusion system. I made a video about it a couple years ago.
@@TheNakedPhotographer Thanks for the info! How big of a difference do you find it makes? Is it more than just going from a #3 contrast filter down to a #1.5 or #2?
It’s not that simple, and there is a sharpness difference as well
Diffusion vs. Condenser Enlarger
th-cam.com/video/VQ-9Ch5biKc/w-d-xo.html
No guess...READ the F instructions!🤣🤣
That’s for amateurs
Excellent review. Thanks. I was thinking of buying the 4x5 version, but after this review I'll pass. Intrepid first has to fix all these errors. Obviously, the intrepid guy who designed this, isn't a darkroom user. A real analog photographer would NEVER have conceived a fixed non-interchangeable lensplate, or color software in chunks that doesn't matching any known standard.
That thing seems janky at best. I’m frustrated with it just watching you set it up. Hopefully doesn’t cost much.
You must have a faulty product or maybe I just got lucky or something because my intrepid and enlarger is equal all across-the-board, and it only goes up to 100 on every dial and I am able to use color correction, viewing filters perfectly my starting point is relatively close to Kodak suggested starting point. Maybe intrepid is not very consistent on their manufacturing of the products they make. I’ve seen a couple other videos where people are having the same issues you are having. I will say one thing my enlarger took Almost 5 months to get to me. Good luck my friend.
Oh, and one other thing, I think a lot of the problems you’re having with your lens issues Has to do with your equipment. Most lenses have the Aperture settings on two sides of the lens at least that’s how all my lenses are. I’m just saying you’re nitpicking the product and not thinking about your equipment that you were trying to use with this product.
My lenses are very common Schneider Componon-S. I tried four lenses with the same result. If the color controller is that vastly different from one to another then the software quality control is even more concerning. I am using the newest firmware version.
Hello! I think you both just have different firmware versions. Software consistency or quality control isn’t an issue, all controllers have the same firmware uploaded and use the same components, any controller with the same firmware can be swapped out for another and produce the exact same results, really nothing to worry about, the code is the code, not really any way it can vary between controllers? We like the lens board idea though! Great suggestion
The early firmware used a different value range. A subsequent update changed it (I think so that all value changes cause an actual change of light level, it is mentioned in the firmware change log).
The term "Compact Enlarger" gave me a bit of a giggle, if it's to make things bigger why does it need to be compact.
It makes it easier to hide under a bed like magazines 🥲