Do any of you Stenopeika 5x7 users have time to post a review?

[Certain Exposures]

Stenopeika Hyper Camera 5x7

I see this as an alternative to the Intrepid 5x7 because it's still light weight and although it's more expensive it's not several times the cost. What's your user experience been like?

EDIT: link to the camera here https://www.stenopeika.com/prodotto/hyper-camera-5x7-advanced/

[Oslolens]

Please put in links to some 4x5" review if you have.

Sent fra min SM-G975F via Tapatalk

[r.e.]

If you do an Advanced Search with Stenopeika in the title, you'll find several discussions about these cameras.

[Certain Exposures]

If you do an Advanced Search with Stenopeika in the title, you'll find several discussions about these cameras.

That was my first step. There were two pages of results. I saw just a couple of references to the 5x7, and I didn't find them helpful for making a decision. Did you see a comment that you found especially helpful?

[paulbarden]

I’ve read a lot of complaints about the Stenopeika cameras: light leaks, misaligned parts, etc. Yes, there are complaints about the build quality if the Intrepid too, but I see no reason to choose the Stenopeika over it.
I own the current Intrepid 5x7 and I like it a lot. It’s far superior to the earlier Intrepid designs and most of the flaws have been ironed out. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

[Certain Exposures]

I’ve read a lot of complaints about the Stenopeika cameras: light leaks, misaligned parts, etc. Yes, there are complaints about the build quality if the Intrepid too, but I see no reason to choose the Stenopeika over it.
I own the current Intrepid 5x7 and I like it a lot. It’s far superior to the earlier Intrepid designs and most of the flaws have been ironed out. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Thanks, Paul! I remember your positive review from another thread. I'm still not convinced one is good for me, though. Maybe I'll know when I run into one in the wild someday. I emailed Intrepid to get information about their return policy, but I doubt they have one for a made-to-order camera. I see your point about the Stenopeika! I'll stick with my Crown Graphic 4x5 for now.

[nitroplait]

Thanks, Paul! I remember your positive review from another thread. I'm still not convinced one is good for me, though. Maybe I'll know when I run into one in the wild someday. I emailed Intrepid to get information about their return policy, but I doubt they have one for a made-to-order camera. I see your point about the Stenopeika! I'll stick with my Crown Graphic 4x5 for now.
Intrepid have 4-6 weeks lead time on their cameras. If it isn't for you I would be surprised you can't resell it for what you paid to someone without the patience to wait for that long.

[Certain Exposures]

Intrepid have 4-6 weeks lead time on their cameras. If it isn't for you I would be surprised you can't resell it for what you paid to someone without the patience to wait for that long.

Perhaps!

For anyone curious, Intrepid does have a return policy. The camera has to be unused though. You can find it by scrolling to the very bottom of their website and clicking "terms and conditions" in the bottom left. It's small so it's easy to miss.

[Deardorffuser]

i use camera STENOPEIKA HYPER CAMERA 5×7

camera is bad. many design flaws. magnetic back. snaps off with force. broke screen because of this, fell out of his hands. not for heavy lenses.
I will fix camera

226249

[Certain Exposures]

Deardorffuser
i use camera STENOPEIKA HYPER CAMERA 5×7

camera is bad. many design flaws. magnetic back. snaps off with force. broke screen because of this, fell out of his hands. not for heavy lenses.
I will fix camera

Oh no, good luck fixing it!

[sperdynamite]

Find yourself a user condition Deardorff Special with the 5x7 back. Should be roughly similar in price.

[Certain Exposures]

Find yourself a user condition Deardorff Special with the 5x7 back. Should be roughly similar in price.

Thanks! I thought about it, and since 5x7 enlargers are rarer and more expensive, I will probably stick to 4x5. I got spoiled after making a 10x10 print from just a 120 negative! I want to make enlargements.

[sperdynamite]

Thanks! I thought about it, and since 5x7 enlargers are rarer and more expensive, I will probably stick to 4x5. I got spoiled after making a 10x10 print from just a 120 negative! I want to make enlargements.

Ya know maybe just keep your eye open. I have a Chamonix 57N and it's a delightful camera and format. Plus a 4x5 reduction back makes a big difference in versatility while being not much larger than a dedicated 4x5. The negatives are sufficiently larger to make a clear difference as well without all the 8x10 hassle.

Enlargers will be a challenge...but heck I saw a Zone VI posted a few months back for free so they're out there.

[Certain Exposures]

Ya know maybe just keep your eye open. I have a Chamonix 57N and it's a delightful camera and format. Plus a 4x5 reduction back makes a big difference in versatility while being not much larger than a dedicated 4x5. The negatives are sufficiently larger to make a clear difference as well without all the 8x10 hassle.

Enlargers will be a challenge...but heck I saw a Zone VI posted a few months back for free so they're out there.

Thanks! Is the Chamonix the only 5x7 you've tried? If not, how did the rest compare? The Chamonix is pricey but they have a solid reputation. There aren't any videos about their 5x7 cameras on YouTube.

[Deardorffuser]

I replace handles with brass ones. Original handles on camera are small and uncomfortable.

226327

[Tin Can]

OP search this forum for reviews

[Roberto Nania]

Hi, I don't know about the 5x7" but I own and I've been using the Stenopeika Hyper 8x10" for a good whole year now.
I owned the Intrepid 45 and I own and use a Chamonix 45N and an Horseman 45HD.

The Hyper is the only 8x10 I have experience with; I find it a very good starting camera. There are few awkward things (rails protruding form camera body with short lenses, flimsy front standard, ground glass not finely grinded) but not real flaw in my experience.
I would say that the 5x7" is at the same building quality, though I cannot state it for sure.

I had very bad experience with Intrepid, I will not go for their cameras anymore.

About Chamonix, you know, expensive but their cameras are gems.

[Deardorffuser]

my upgrade Stenopeika Hyper 5x7

p.s. next, replace the glass and front standard (flimsy) and back standart lockers.
226340

[sperdynamite]

Thanks! Is the Chamonix the only 5x7 you've tried? If not, how did the rest compare? The Chamonix is pricey but they have a solid reputation. There aren't any videos about their 5x7 cameras on YouTube.

I've used Deardorff and Chamonix 5x7s. The Deardorff can do more, has longer bellows and double extension. The Chamonix I have is horizontal only and much lighter which I wanted. I think both are fabulous cameras, but I think you can find a deardorff maybe for a little less money.

[Roberto Nania]

my upgrade Stenopeika Hyper 5x7

p.s. next, replace the glass and front standard (flimsy) and back standart lockers.
226340

Hello Den,

I replaced the plastics washers for the rise/fall locking with metal washers. That was the only way for me to prevent the front standard to slide down with heavier lenses (even my 300/5.6 Symmar was too heavy to be locked, now it is ok). I couldn't see scratches on the side bars, so it looks safe.

About the ground glass, the original one of my Stenopeika was a drama to focus with in dark scenes and not because it lacks the fresnel lens but because it was machined-grinded. I asked Stenopeika for a solution and I bought a finely manual-grinded ground glass which is now perfect.

As I've experienced, the Hyper needs to be tricked a little bit to be used with good results.

The decision for me was that I didn't want (and I couldn't afford) to spend 2500€ for an used Zone VI or Tachihara (just to name two cameras that can be found in Italy at "fair" prices).
With half the price I got a new camera (with a new bellows!) that I'm happy to shoot photographs with.

I hope this helps

[Deardorffuser]

Hello Den,



Thx.

How do you have a back that doesn't open when you remove film holder?

[Roberto Nania]

Thx.

How do you have a back that doesn't open when you remove film holder?

That's another odd thing, you're right. The design is so that there isn't a part where to push the back to disengage the film holder and slide it out. The shape of the ground glass frame could be made better, I fully agree. I was thinking of making myself a kind of bail back system.

[Deardorffuser]

installed new bright focusing screen

226463