MPP (M.P.P.) Micro Technical "sports" finder frame size?

[RogerHyam]

I just bought myself a rather battered M.P.P. Micro Technical VI (1952 I think) and have been sprucing it up. I've paired it with a Schneider 150mm that I've had for many years (sentimental value as it was made in 1965 - year my wife and I were both born).

It is lacking the front frame of the sports finder.

I could buy one from eBay but they are running at a big chunk of what I paid for the whole camera!

I could perhaps 3d print one or make one from an old coat hanger (3d print a former to bend it around) but I don't have the dimensions. I thought they would just be the same as a 4x5 film but that seems a little large.

Do you have one of these? Could you provide me with the measurements? It would save me a few rounds having to make prototypes. If not I'll start with 4x5" and work from there.

My camera:

What the finder looks like:

(Picture credit: This is from a live auction on eBay at the moment. I'm including a link to promote that page in return for borrowing the image! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116398001248)

 

[loccdor]

I think you could take some wire and make a jig with plywood and pegs to bend the wire around. I don't have the measurements but a little trigonometry and an AI to calculate it should work.

 

[grahamp]

4 1/8 inches internal, widest dimension. The sight (for mine) has some parallax correction by adjusting the peephole up and down. Since it mounts just short of the diaphragm and the peephole does not exactly match the film plane, that accounts for why it is slightly under 5 inches in size. It should work for any symmetrical large format lens at normal distances.

It would not be hard to 3D print. the challenge would be the getting the mounting plate stiff enough. Do you need a picture/dimensions of that as well?

 

[LibraryTroll]

If you still need the information, I can provide a traced outline and measurements later this week for the one I have on my MPP Mk VII Micro Technical. I think it should be basically the same as the Mk VI, but I can check some references. I can also compare it with one that I have for the S.92, which is basically the Mk VI for the RAF with some transitional bits that practically make it a Mk VII.

Making the frame itself doesn't seem like an impossible challenge, but the base attachment would stop me cold without 3D printing. I was thinking that if I had to make one myself, I might use soft bar stock and make my bends to form the frame before soldering the ends together. Now that sounds like a lot of work to make "pretty," so I might opt for 3D printing it out of a durable material. The challenge, as mentioned above, will be to make the mounting attachment stiff enough to hold the sports finder frame on the camera.

 

[loccdor]

You could also try a sheet metal cutting place like SendCutSend. They just need a DXF file. I recently did and found them very affordable.

 

[ic-racer]

Why not just attach a cold-shoe optical viewfinder.

If making a frame, the dimensions are in the posted picture; the frame is as wide and high as the front standard.

 

[RogerHyam]

Why not just attach a cold-shoe optical viewfinder.

If making a frame, the dimensions are in the posted picture; the frame is as wide and high as the front standard.

I thought about doing that. I use a little 3D printed view finder to scout shots and I could stick it to the top of the rear standard. But there is one theoretical advantage of having the frame on the front standard. When you apply rise or shift (the most common movements) the frame should still approximate what the shot will be. Obviously all bets are off if you tilt!

 

[RogerHyam]

If you still need the information, I can provide a traced outline and measurements later this week for the one I have on my MPP Mk VII Micro Technical. I think it should be basically the same as the Mk VI, but I can check some references. I can also compare it with one that I have for the S.92, which is basically the Mk VI for the RAF with some transitional bits that practically make it a Mk VII.

Making the frame itself doesn't seem like an impossible challenge, but the base attachment would stop me cold without 3D printing. I was thinking that if I had to make one myself, I might use soft bar stock and make my bends to form the frame before soldering the ends together. Now that sounds like a lot of work to make "pretty," so I might opt for 3D printing it out of a durable material. The challenge, as mentioned above, will be to make the mounting attachment stiff enough to hold the sports finder frame on the camera.

You sound like an MPP expert! Have you any idea what the specification for the two little screws on the back of the front standard that hold the finder in place are? Presumably they are some imperial thread. I can make a clip on frame but to attach something that stays on the camera I'd need to use the original holes and I'm not sure where I'd start with finding appropriate screws.

 

[grahamp]

When I needed screws to hold a distance plate on my VII, I went to a model railway shop for BSA series screws. The bellows prevent me backing out the screws enough to get a diameter, unfortunately. Have you considered the M.P.P Users group?

The frame does offer advantages in that it is self adjusting for focus and shift/rise.

 

[wiltw]

If you still need the information, I can provide a traced outline and measurements later this week for the one I have on my MPP Mk VII Micro Technical....

Making the frame itself doesn't seem like an impossible challenge, but the base attachment would stop me cold without 3D printing. I was thinking that if I had to make one myself, I might use soft bar stock and make my bends to form the frame before soldering the ends together. Now that sounds like a lot of work to make "pretty," so I might opt for 3D printing it out of a durable material. The challenge, as mentioned above, will be to make the mounting attachment stiff enough to hold the sports finder frame on the camera.

Without a 3D printd frame, instead one could buy a very thin piece of plexiglass (e.g. 3/16" thick) sized a bit larger than the traced outline, and then use thin pinstriping tape to create the outline applied to the surface of the plexiglass. Then attach the plexiglass to a small metal plate (using epoxy?) which permits mounting on the front standard.

 

[RogerHyam]

Well here is my first attempt using @grahamp suggestion of 4 1/8th inch (105mm) longest dimension. It just slots on the top of the front standard. It looks to match the image on the ground glass quite closely - just trying it out in the living room. I'll have to try it outside at the weekend before I do any refinements. It may be good enough as is. Not that tough but pennies to make so can be replaced. The MPP lettering is just a touch of fun to lighten up the ugly plastic block I've attached the stl file incase someone comes across this is the future and wants to print it.

 

[ic-racer]

I thought about doing that. I use a little 3D printed view finder to scout shots and I could stick it to the top of the rear standard. But there is one theoretical advantage of having the frame on the front standard. When you apply rise or shift (the most common movements) the frame should still approximate what the shot will be. Obviously all bets are off if you tilt!

Looks great! Another benefit of the frame is that as you focus the field of view will change appropriately to match the lens.