Micro Technical ??

[Troy Ammons]

I am not new to LF. So far in the past I have used a Crown graphic, B+J press folder, Sinar, Cambo, a few others, etc. Right now I have a cambo rail camera, but I just find it too bulky to haul around, so now I am leaning towards a folder again.
I want it reasonably light, stiff, with a decent rangefinder/ viewfinder. I also want at least full front seperate movements, but generally I dont need a ton of movement. Back movements would be nice, but not mandatory.

I have 2 lenses I really like a lot. A 150mm G-Claron and a 240mm G- Claron and i want to be able to use at least the 150 cammed to the rangefinder. I want to use the 240 on it too.

I am probably answering my own question, but so far it seems like a linhoff will be the only contender, but its really too heavy for me.

With that said how about the Micro technical.
How heavy is it?
Will it handle a 240 lens?
Is it a stiff camera?
Does it have a graflok back?

Also i have a Cambo binocular viewer I really can not live without, so I want something I can adapt it to.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Google, Troy, Google. Hint: there's an MPP users' group.

 

[Troy Ammons]

Google, Troy, Google. Hint: there's an MPP users' group.

I found that, but I was hoping to hear first hand.

 

[HPorter]

Troy,

It will definitely handle the 240mm. I can get 19" of bellows extension on my Mark VI. It is a very solid camera, with the movements you are looking for, though front tilt is only back tilt on mine. The back has a similar extensible rod arrangement like the Linhof that will allow for tilt and swing to a small degree.

It is considerably heavier than my Graflex cameras. If you get a later version, (such as a Mark VII and up) it should have a graflok back. Mine is an older version and it has the traditional spring back.

If you want to cam your lenses, it would be a real interesting project. The MPP user group has an article on their website about making them. I have never bothered because I find the camera too heavy to hand hold comfortably- from a practical standpoint. I much prefer my pre-anniversary speed graphic for that. It is as light as a feather.

For the money, they are an enjoyable camera. But to be honest, I usually pack a graflex into a knapsack to go wondering about, or if I need movements or a longer lens I will grab my B&J field camera before I choose this one. Mostly because the MPP is heavier to pack around. The B&J has more movements than the MPP, but it is much sloppier. Though I rarely find that to be much of a hinderance in practice.

Good Luck!

Harold

 

[Buster6X6]

Hi Troy
I just sold mine. Camera weigh's 6lbs. Has all movements you can possibly want. I had a 240 on it. It has international back with many accessories available.I don't know I was talking to the buyer of my camera maybe he can also use lens cams for Linhoff cameras on MPP? Worth while finding out to be able to use rangefinder. You are on the right track great camera and inexpensive in comparison to Linhoff.

Greg