MPP Micropress

[Jack Lusted]

There are a number of these cameras on Ebay and, as I've been thinking of graduating to LF, I'm wondering how suitable they would be as a beginners LF camera.
I think I would probably use it for our door portraits and landscape work.
Any thoughts, comments, advice?

 

[Helen B]

I've used an MPP S92 since the early 70's. I've been very happy with mine. The only real reason I decided to get a different camera for landscape work was that I wanted to use a 55 mm lens. The shortest lens I used was an 80 mm and the longest was a 300 non-telephoto (an Apo-Ronar). The bellows draw of over 15" is sufficient to use the 300 for a head-and-shoulders portrait. Shorter lenses can be used for tighter shots.

Best,
Helen

 

[Richard Kelham]

On the up-side the Micro Press has a built-in focal plane shutter so can be used with barrel lenses. On the down side it has few if any movements and is therefore very limited in what it can be used for. If you are going to get one make sure it has the international back.

Probably more use would be an MPP Micro Technical Mk7 (or Mk8 if possible). No built-in shutter but a reasonable range of movements (especially the Mk8 which has forward tilt in addition to all the others). It also has a revolving internaional back. Prices are similar.



Richard

 

[Roger Hicks]

There are a number of these cameras on Ebay and, as I've been thinking of graduating to LF, I'm wondering how suitable they would be as a beginners LF camera.
I think I would probably use it for our door portraits and landscape work.
Any thoughts, comments, advice?

No back movement; landscape format only; very limited front movement (rise and backward tilt); bulky wood body compared with a metal Micro-Technical; only double extension (12 inch) instead of triple. All this from memory (I've not owned one in 25+ years) but Google the MPP Users' Group to get lots more information. In fact, join: they're very helpful and you should be able to find an affordable camera.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com -- and Amateur Photographer every week).

 

[Dan Fromm]

I recall discussions about shutterless MPP 4x5 cameras in which it was mentioned that their ground glass was offset a bit from non-MPP holders' film planes. Is this also true of the Micropress?

 

[Ian Grant]

Interesting point, I was given some, half a dozen, MPP film holders last month and I've just checked them and yes the film plane is further back in the film holders, compared to all my others. I don't have the tools to measure the differance but it is significant.

The Micropress was an early MPP so would be setup for these holders. I'm glad you brought this up or I might have used the MPP film holders with out thinking of possible problems - would only really be an issue if not well stopped down, and with lenses used at full aperture or only stopped down a stop or two.

I have more than enough 5x4 dark slides anyway (film holders to anyone in the US) so if anyone with an early MPP wants them I sell them for the going rate

Ian

 

[Richard Kelham]

I recall discussions about shutterless MPP 4x5 cameras in which it was mentioned that their ground glass was offset a bit from non-MPP holders' film planes. Is this also true of the Micropress?

The register problem was a factor with the earlier, pre-international back, Micro Press cameras. It was also a problem with the earlier Micro Technical cameras too. It was sorted for the Mk7. More info on the MPP Users website.


Richard

 

[Jack Lusted]

Thank-you all for your feed-back. Very much appreciated. I'll keep my eyes skinned for a user Mk VII or VIII.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Probably more use would be an MPP Micro Technical Mk7 (or Mk8 if possible). No built-in shutter but a reasonable range of movements (especially the Mk8 which has forward tilt in addition to all the others). It also has a revolving internaional back. Prices are similar.



Richard

I have an MPP Mk VIII, I`ve never figured out the forward lens tilt on this camera. I`m not sure it can. Advice welcomed.

 

[Helen B]

I might be being thick here, but can't you use bed drop to give forward tilt? You have the same amount of forward tilt as rearward using that method on my S92. It's a bit of a fiddle because of the limited rail movement with the bed dropped, but you can move the standard on the rail. OK, so focussing causes front rise and fall, but that just means you have to turn two knobs instead of one. Of course you also have rear tilt in both directions.

Best,
Helen

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I might be being thick here, but can't you use bed drop to give forward tilt? You have the same amount of forward tilt as rearward using that method on my S92. It's a bit of a fiddle because of the limited rail movement with the bed dropped, but you can move the standard on the rail. OK, so focussing causes front rise and fall, but that just means you have to turn two knobs instead of one. Of course you also have rear tilt in both directions.

Best,
Helen

Yes I could use the bed drop and it can be a bit fiddly. The only other way of using forward lens tilt that I can think of, is to turn the camera on its side and to use the lens swing, then revolve the film back whether the upright or horizontal format is desired.

 

[Richard Kelham]

I have an MPP Mk VIII, I`ve never figured out the forward lens tilt on this camera. I`m not sure it can. Advice welcomed.

I've not used a Mk8 )I have the Mk7), but I think it must be one of the 2 knobs on the side of the front standard. The MPP Users' site refers to it as "the nodding front standard". Make of that what you will!



Richard

 

[JasonC]

I have an MPP Mk VIII, I`ve never figured out the forward lens tilt on this camera. I`m not sure it can. Advice welcomed.

Facing the camera, loosen the knob on the upper left corner (angle lock). Then pull the knob on the upper right corner (zero lock) and tilt the front stanard. At your desired angle, tighten the upper left corner knob to lock.

Jason.

 

[epatsellis]

hmm, sure makes my B&J press seem kinda nicer everytime I hear about other press/technical cameras limitations.

eire

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Facing the camera, loosen the knob on the upper left corner (angle lock). Then pull the knob on the upper right corner (zero lock) and tilt the front stanard. At your desired angle, tighten the upper left corner knob to lock.

Jason.

Thanks for that Jason, it work very smoothly. I didn`t figure out the knob nearest the top right of the lens panel.
Cheers.

 

[pauldc]

I have a Mark 8 and can recommend them - good movements at the front and the back. The metal construction is very rigid and the international back can be easily rotated. I like the camera very much - I use Velvia in 5x4 DDS but find I am increasingly shooting black and white in a 6x9 roll film back (also by MPP). The smaller area of the roll film back allows generous movements with almost any lens, even the older ones that often accompany these cameras.

I second Jason's guidance on how to operate the front tilt - the key is pulling the knob out after unscrewing it (it is on a little spring) before tilting the standard.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I have a Mark 8 and can recommend them - good movements at the front and the back. The metal construction is very rigid and the international back can be easily rotated. I like the camera very much - I use Velvia in 5x4 DDS but find I am increasingly shooting black and white in a 6x9 roll film back (also by MPP). The smaller area of the roll film back allows generous movements with almost any lens, even the older ones that often accompany these cameras.

I second Jason's guidance on how to operate the front tilt - the key is pulling the knob out after unscrewing it (it is on a little spring) before tilting the standard.

The more I am using the MkVIII, the more I am enjoying it.
Still no 4x5 enlarger though, so home B&W film processing only and commercial enlargments so far. I can enlarge up to 6x7 MF.
Cheers.

 

[pauldc]

Do you all know the brilliant MPP users club at www.mppusers.freeuk.com

If you join as a member you get a great little MPP magazine four times a year too called the Gaz. It is a great place to learn about the cameras, share photos and also pick up very cheap spares and parts including custom lens boards made by club members. I recommend it!

There are a surprising number of people out there using the MPP cameras I have found.

 

[leeturner]

I'm also using an MPP but it's a bit of a hybrid with a MKIII body and back and a MKVII bellows and front standard. Also had the register checked and adjusted so that I can use standard film holders with quite a large aperture without fear of focussing problems. By stripping off the rangefinder and adding an extra tripod mount I've got a very flexible and portable camera.

The MPP users club is a great resource and you can also get all of the back issues of the magazine on CD.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The more I am using the MkVIII, the more I am enjoying it.
Still no 4x5 enlarger though, so home B&W film processing only and commercial enlargments so far. I can enlarge up to 6x7 MF.
Cheers.

Hmmm. Somewhere I have a Linhof cold light head that will fit on the back of your MPP and turn it into an enlarger. The catch is that the light is very blue and therefore suitable only for graded papers. If you're interested I'll dig it out and think of a price.

Cheers,

R.