Polaroid mp3 view camera

BetterSense · Sep 5, 2009

I'm on vacation and noticed that my parents have this very strange looking polaroid camera. It says something like "mp3 industrial view camera". I can't find anything about it online because all searches for mp3 and camera bring up other things. I originally brought it home from when I was cleaning out the physics department during my college job and couldn't stand to throw it away. I didn't know what it was and still don't really.

Also, it has a tominon 127mm lens in a copal shutter. Is this a decent lens and does it cover 4x5? I'd start using it right now but I can't test it for coverage.

keithwms · Sep 5, 2009

I think it is a copy camera.... I once got an Mp something and took it apart for various parts. The lens is decent.

raucousimages · Sep 5, 2009

Multi purpose industrial camera. It had a sliding back for polaroid film packs or 4X5 film holders. No movements other than focus. I have one that was used for copy work and to shoot ID photos. I cut the Polaroid part of the slider off and hard mounted the 4X5 part to the camera. The 127mm lens is not bad and I found a second lens board and use it for pinhole images. The camera is built like a tank and has a lot of potential. Mine had also been used to teach LF photography to several people. That way they only need to worry about composing and focusing. It stops them from jumping into all of the movements too soon.

removed account4 · Sep 5, 2009

keith is right
the mp3 is a copy camera
and yes the 127 tominon will cover a
4x5 sheet of film with no problems ...
it was the lens that came loaded on my speedgraphic
when i bought it .. and the only lens i used for a long time ...

have fun!

Venchka · Sep 6, 2009

The 127mm Tominon lens and #1 Copal shutter are keepers. Find a camera to put them on.

Good shooting neighbor!

BetterSense · Sep 13, 2009

I stole the lens and shutter for my speed graphic. The shutter is a bit weird because it has no cocking lever or release trigger either. It seems to only work with a cable release, and then it works like a double-action revolver...pressing the cable release both cocks and fires the shutter. The problem I have is my shutter release doesn't seem to stick out far enough to trip the shutter. It works fine if you stick a paperclip in there, though. Then again my shutter release isn't the best. Do you need a special cable release for these things?

Lots of people on the tubes claim the lens won't cover 4x5 at infinity. I guess we'll see. The only other lens I have is an enlarger lens with no shutter so this should be a good upgrade if it covers the film.

Anscojohn · Sep 13, 2009

BetterSense said:
I stole the lens and shutter for my speed graphic. The shutter is a bit weird because it has no cocking lever or release trigger either. It seems to only work with a cable release, and then it works like a double-action revolver...pressing the cable release both cocks and fires the shutter. The problem I have is my shutter release doesn't seem to stick out far enough to trip the shutter. It works fine if you stick a paperclip in there, though. Then again my shutter release isn't the best. Do you need a special cable release for these things?

Lots of people on the tubes claim the lens won't cover 4x5 at infinity. I guess we'll see. The only other lens I have is an enlarger lens with no shutter so this should be a good upgrade if it covers the film.

*******
I assume that is the same set up we had on a Polaroid MP4 copy camera which used 4x5 sheet film. My understanding is the Tominon is a Tessar-formula. And, yes, it will definitely cover 4x5.

After all, that was the focal-length used on many Speedies for press work. Actually correct for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 but they worked ok on the 4x5s we used in college--of course, they were Ektars and Zeiss Optars. But the slightly greater depth of field was considered a plus. Don't recall any problems at infinity; but of, course, press work was rarely terribly critical.

Mike1234 · Sep 13, 2009

The 127 Tominon covers at infinity sharply to the corners... but just barely straight on. It's a good lens as long as you don't need shifts or any front movements. Rear swing and tilt are okay.

removed account4 · Sep 14, 2009

i always read ( and am told ) that the 127 tominon covers sharply at infinity and barely straight on
and the one i have covers edge to edge opened up as well, and i have never had
a problem with movements ( i use it on a view camera as well as a speed graphic ).

mike1234, do you have one of these lenses?
i will look through my scanned archive to find samples
besides the one i already posted ....

if you have examples of "barely covering" &C can you post them ?

john

Mike1234 · Sep 14, 2009

John,

Yes I have at least one of these but I'll have to take some tests with it to confirm. If you've experienced better coverage I'll take your word for it.

removed account4 · Sep 14, 2009

i wonder what the QC was for these lenses ?
so many people say the don't cover 4x5 or barely cover ...
maybe my "standards" aren't as strict as other folks ?

mike1234, i look forward to your tests+findings!
i will try to find some of my "not stopped downs"
or if i can ... a digisnappy of illumination on the back of a 5x7 ...

i have a feeling i just don't notice this sort of thing and i am a slacker ...

john

BetterSense · Sep 14, 2009

Question. Lens coverage better stopped down on opened up? I'm guessing stopped down. I have a cheap medium format camera that vignettes sharply at the corners when stopped down but I think it's because the aperture diaphram is not at the optical center of the lens.

Marc Akemann · Sep 14, 2009

BetterSense said:
I stole the lens and shutter for my speed graphic. The shutter is a bit weird because it has no cocking lever or release trigger either. It seems to only work with a cable release, and then it works like a double-action revolver...pressing the cable release both cocks and fires the shutter. The problem I have is my shutter release doesn't seem to stick out far enough to trip the shutter. It works fine if you stick a paperclip in there, though. Then again my shutter release isn't the best. Do you need a special cable release for these things?

Regarding the shutter release: I also have a Polaroid MP-3 Land Camera/Multi-purpose Industrial View Camera, but with a 127/4.7 Rodenstock-Ysaron lens in a Prontor shutter. There are two cable releases, one for opening & closing the diaphragm and the other operates the shutter. On the MP-3 you push a lever at the top right to cock the shutter. At that point the end of the shutter release cable extends and stays at, according to my measurement, 17mm. When the operator is ready to take the photo, the round shutter release button at the front of the unit is pushed and presto! The shutter releases.

Now, if you attach a conventional shutter release cable (not connected to the MP-3) to the lens and slowly push the cable in until you hear a slight 'click', the shutter is charged. Push the cable further and the shutter is released.

I have not used the Ysaron lens yet but have read that it is a Tessar design and has (for 4x5), ".....10 or 12mm left for movements." It also may have rare earth elements. Mine was manufactured between 1961-'66 according to the serial number.

Sorry, I'm getting off-track here as this isn't the lens you have, but, the coverage may be the same for both lenses. I'll have to do some testing myself.

Hope that helps.

-Marc

Mike1234 · Sep 14, 2009

Just checked my 127 Ysaron on an 8x10. There's mechanical vignetting a little more than an inch inside each corner so it could light up a full sheet of 5x7 film. However, the corners are VERY fuzzy wide open. They'll improve stopped down the f/22 but unless you're willing to accept fuzzy corners I wouldn't do it. I'd stick to the limit of 4x5 corner-to-corner straight on.

Marc Akemann · Sep 14, 2009

Mike1234 said:
Just checked my 127 Ysaron on an 8x10. There's mechanical vignetting a little more than an inch inside each corner so it could light up a full sheet of 5x7 film. However, the corners are VERY fuzzy wide open. They'll improve stopped down the f/22 but unless you're willing to accept fuzzy corners I wouldn't do it. I'd stick to the limit of 4x5 corner-to-corner straight on.

Thanks Mike. Good to know as I'm anxious to try out the lens.

-Marc

removed account4 · Sep 14, 2009

Mike1234 said:
Just checked my 127 Ysaron on an 8x10. There's mechanical vignetting a little more than an inch inside each corner so it could light up a full sheet of 5x7 film. However, the corners are VERY fuzzy wide open. They'll improve stopped down the f/22 but unless you're willing to accept fuzzy corners I wouldn't do it. I'd stick to the limit of 4x5 corner-to-corner straight on.

thanks mike!

john

Anscojohn · Sep 14, 2009

We used the Tominon on the MP4. This unit was strictly for copy work; nothing at infinity. And we used Type 55 P/N in a single sheet Polaroid holder. If I recall correctly (never a given) there was a limited range of shutter speeds and there was no need for separate shutter cocking--just the cable release.

removed account4 · Sep 14, 2009

Anscojohn said:
We used the Tominon on the MP4. This unit was strictly for copy work; nothing at infinity. And we used Type 55 P/N in a single sheet Polaroid holder. If I recall correctly (never a given) there was a limited range of shutter speeds and there was no need for separate shutter cocking--just the cable release.

there is no T setting, and it only goes to 125/S ...
i like the self "cocking press shutter"
but if you aren't careful and use a shutter release
that is too long, the nib/end of the release will wander and jam inside
the shutter ... what a PITA !

john

mhines · Jun 6, 2011

MP-3 camera mount

I am looking for a camera mount adapter for a poloroid MP-3 stand to attach 35 mm and digitasl cameras.

Thanks.
M. Hines
Fayette County Evidence Center

Polaroid mp3 view camera

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