A travel-sized large-format 4x5 camera?

I guess having learned photography on 4x5 and 8x10 cameras I too don't get it. Truth is digital cameras exceed film with the exception of 8x10 film. Having scanned film for output back to film essentially lossless or hard time distinguishing the difference digital cameras exceed the quality of that scan for 4x5. So what is the sense other to say I did? I understand there is still some mystique with large format but it is essentially that.

If I were to spend the money and time to process 4x5 film I would want all the benefits that are available with a camera that shoots the film. That is just me, having shot it for years I would feel cheated not having it. Though others may feel differently.

Very funny comments. Simply if you don't get it, then you have no need. If you get it, then you wished you had found the Kickstarter! Anxious to get mine. It will be a fun summer indeed!

i don't agree. This does not aim to be a a Technika, but a cheap entry to large format photography. Despite not having movements, it is good for large prints at museum quality if the proper lens and tripod are used.

This is like a car with pedals. It confuses me why it actually exists! (scratching left side of head with right hand)

These comments are hilarious, keep em coming

I'm excited to get mine. Sorry so few people have a sense of fun or adventure.

It's a fun camera for those that want something different, for those that don't want to do it all with a computer.For those that think there might be more to photography than collecting hard drives full of pixels.
Not a bad idea and looks fun.
There is of course the need for a large format enlarger for the full analogue route or a scanner for the hybrid route. You will also need to add DDS and a changing bag for in the field loading.
A simple way to get into alternative printing techniques and learning about film, nothing wrong with that.

Without traditional view camera standard movements (rise, fall, tilt, shift) the whole idea doesn't have much sense

Well well, prove that there's really nothing new under the sun. Such simple box camera is anything but new. That design dated way back to the time when Brass Lens are common. And there's literally hundreds of camera models of this design ..

Why is this here? Not digital, not even very innovative. There are plenty of smaller, nicer, pinhole-lens 4x5 cameras out there, not to mention used real 4x5 field/press-view cameras in that price range with an old Optar 135mm f/4.7 or somesuch.

On the other hand, I've been working on developing a cheap 4x5 digital sensor for a couple of years... so I do believe 4x5 format has a future. This isn't very different from the 3D-printed body I've been working on, aside from the fact that I don't want to use film -- especially not sheet film. ;-)

At last, a true full frame camera! Now we don't have to suffer the poor depth of field the 35mm offers.

This was a Kickstarter project, about a year ago. Very cool to see a project like this come to fruition. There's a wide version, too, with a fixed focus body for 65mm lens.

I think they need a fundraiser for the 4x5 digital back to compliment this body!

Vimeo has the worst streaming capability and stability of any video service on the internet yet is the choice of many. Why? I can't make it 20 seconds in to the video without lag catching up. I gave up on watching the video.

What is the point of a large negative without perspective control rise/fall, swing/tilt etc? Even the old Graflex had some movement and was handheld, with the ability to focus! The video depicted point & shoot snapshots which would be better served with a digital pocket camera IMO.

Buy a Zeiss Ikonta used with 6x9 cm roll film. With a Zeiss lens, precise focal distance markings and a better balance of film format to hand holding, you will get sharper pictures at faster shooting speed (Roll Film) and still higher resolution images. The Zeiss Ikonta is fold-able and I used that to have lens movement. Not too precise, but much better than no lens movement. Great to increase depth of field in landscape photography and with practice works well enough.

This camera will certainly qualify to shoot with a unique device and film cost will not kill you.

As for scanner, use your 16 MP DSLR with a Macro lens. Works fast with excellent quality.

For anybody looking for a different photography experience, this would be a more practical one.

When shooting black and white, you can benefit from larger latitude than your DSLR, so at least there is a technical benefit to go through this pain.

Unfolding this camera on party will also make it easy to start a conversation :-)

Hmmmm. Fun maybe BUT........ I used to shoot 4X5". I think a lot of people who (might) buy this camera would find it way more expensive to use than they imagine (at over $10 per E6 shot purchased and processed) and way more difficult (because a 90mm lens with no movements has very little DOF).

If I was going to go back to 4X5" I'd certainly be buying the recommended 90mm Super Angulon, but I'd be mounting it into a decent field camera with all the usual movements.

The technical quality of the handheld, unsteady teaser video shows what to expect from handheld 4x5 photos. It will turn a quality wise hard to beat film format into an expesive kind of lomography. The obvoiusly guessed distance settings will contribute even more to a "lomo look".

This 'might' have been interesting back in the days of film (ie: last Century), but today?

These days, I'm really of the opinion that it's really all about the photos you make, not about the device you use to make them. I think this camera is really about the device you use to make the photos. When I look at a photo, I really couldn't care less about what device made the photo (whether it be a smart phone, or an m4/3 camera, or a 35mm FF camera, or a 4x5 camera). I just care if the photo is good or not. However, this camera should be fun for someone who gets a kick out of shooting with a unique device. I just don't think a device such as a 4x5 camera should be used so haphazardly as a "point-n-shoot". Kinda defeats the purpose of 4x5 if you're just zone focusing, handholding, pointing and shooting like the guy in the video.

If I had one, I'd probably use it for portraits, on a tripod, not really for travel.

I shoot 4x5. this honestly sucks all the joy out of working 4x5. I dont need that much resolution I like camera control and the slow process. also all those shots while sharp looks hazy like there is no contrast. Is he using a crappy lens? or is it something to do with the camera design. also how is he focusing it? is he just guessing? because hyperfocal photography in 4x5 takes ALOT of light so this isnt just an easy camera to walk around and shoot with unless its really bright sunny day or you use high iso film or most likely both

So you pack this contraption, have to buy the 90mm lens (as it supposedly only comes with the pinhole attachment) pack in about 30 sheets of film and your 35 liter travel pack is full to the brim. ... so much for "goes wherever you go"...
And 30 hipster shots later you're out of film and probably using the iphone again.

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Or get a more practical camera to begin with.

Eh, not so hot. Just having a big sheet of film don't make it good.

Show off more than reality. Today a pack of 4x5 harm your pocket very deep.

Arista EDU Ultra 100 ISO 4x5/50 sheets $32.99 Freestyle Photographic Supplies
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/190145-Arista-EDU-Ultra-100-ISO-4x5-50-sheets
Lenses available from http://www.keh.com/

Nice idea but one has to take into account the cost of the color film, processing and printing. Over a period of five years the cost of which could over take the cost of the camera and lens. Speaking only for myself if you are not producing very large prints I do not see a need for any 4x5 camera. If on the other hand you have a need the image quality then I would lean towards a high quality 4x5 camera with all the movements mounted on a solid tripod. A compromise might be a medium format camera like the Mamiya 7 or Fujica GSW 690. But given the recent advances in digital cameras the image quality gap is closing in on medium format film, if not already surpassed it. With that said I think for the most part film cameras are history. Instead just pull out the smartphone and take the shot.