Dorset_Rob
newbie
Reged: 31/03/2007
Posts: 32
Loc: Dorset
|
|
Firstly, Hi... Again!
I did start posting on here some time ago, but life as always threw me some amazing curves. (Left partner, found partner, etc!).
Anyway, the reason for coming back to the obvious place for trusted advise  is as follows...
I recently had the great fortune to buy a job lot of equipment. And tucked away in a box was this rather intriguing metal case. I was curious! I knew I had to be gentle as I knew not how these catches allowed the box to open. After a little teasing she allowed me in! If you could have seen my face. Truly a kid at Christmas! I could not believe my eyes! When I finally got it set up and extended, and saw that first crisp image on the ground glass focussing screen I very nearly cried! This old girl has to be used! This is where (hopefully) you kind people come in!
Right. After doing a little research, I have an MPP Micro Technical Mk Vii... Fitted with a Scneider Xenar 4.7/135 And it all seems to work. I have no darkslide but am trying to acquire one as we speak.
So, where do I start? Can anyone point me to a good place to learn all the movements? Have looked on MPPUSERS.yadda but can't seem to find any sought of instructions on use. Are the lightseals on the darkslide, as there seem to be none on the back of camera? What is Copal N0.0? I am under the impression it is something to do with the style of shutter? I could go on... Any advice would be gratefully received. I just don't know where to start!
I figured if anyone knows how to get this old bird flying, they'd be here!
Thanks for reading...
Rob
--------------------
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday
|
LargeFormat
old hand
Reged: 24/10/2006
Posts: 1154
Loc: Buckinghamshire and Cumbria
|
|
The Schneider Xenar is a seriously nice lens and the wide (for a 5x4) aperture is helful for a learner. Copal, and there are a variety of configurations, is the type of shutter. Compur and Syncro Compur was the other well known one. You should be able to get dark slides on ebay. And yes it is the dark slide that has the seals although the slides themselves seal against the body when slid in. Other accessories are now so cheap that it nearly makes me cry. The other things you will need are a loupe to help with focussing on the ground glass, a heavy tripod, a changing bag (both for over your head and for reloading dark slides), an exposure meter and a cable release. You can, also on ebay, get a 5x4 Polaroid holder if you want instant gratification. Fuji do suitable film packs.
I suggest you start by setting everything to zero, i.e. no offsets in any direction. Set yourself up in front of a tall building a bit off centre. Then, instead of pointing the camera upwards and to one side use the lateral and rising movements to get the whole building on the screen. If you have a grid on the glass this will help square everything up.
This then is the fundemental of a technical camera. I'm not familiar with MPPs and whether they have back movements but if they do you can move the film plane so that you can get parts at different distances in focus.
Focus at full aperture and close down a long, long way to take the picture. Remember to remove and replace the cover on the dark slide. Most have indents so you can turn them over to distinguish between exposed sides and unexposed.
You can also get roll film backs. The press used to use these on MPPs with the viewfinder rather than the ground glass.
Film and processing are both very difficult. I suggest you use mono to start with and you might like to develop it yourself.
You should be able to get a book out of the library to help you on your way. Good luck, you'll be stunned by the quality.
|
huwevans
Old Hand
Reged: 05/08/2000
Posts: 15408
Loc: Dorset, UK
|
|
Just a quick reply, but try Large Format Photography Info. for lots of good articles dealing with LF issues for the not yet LF-savvy.
--------------------
Huw Evans.
  
|
Malcolm_Stewart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2541
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
|
|
Welcome to LF. It's a different world.
I found an MPP MkVI in an Antiques Emporium a few years ago, and had a lot of pleasure experimenting with it. I was surprised as to where it led me! (Like purchase of gauge blocks and learning about precise mechanical measurements!)
Lots of good advice already! Specifically, Mifsuds are offering 5x4 darkslides at the moment. If you phone them, they may offer you a discount for quantity. And then you have to learn how to load them.
I started with a Polaroid Film holder, but seem to remember that on my MkVI I had to do some slight modification to get it to fit correctly. In addition to Mifsuds; ffordes and MXV are worth checking out for lenses, lens panels, viewing cloths etc. I bought the last 5x4 FP4 from Jessops in Milton Keynes, and some Provia 100 which was nominally passed its expiry date. My biggest problem was forgetting about my DSLR mindset, but I did get some memorable results, and now have a lot of respect for those who are expert in it!
(If you seek out extra lenses etc., do use the MPP Users website for clarification about the 3 different lens panels that MPP cameras take.)
Let us know how you get on.
--------------------
Malcolm Stewart
|
Dorset_Rob
newbie
Reged: 31/03/2007
Posts: 32
Loc: Dorset
|
|
Thank you guys! Certainly some good stuff to get my teeth into there!
It actually came with a remote shutter release (a VERY long pnumatic bulb type). The collection came with a light meter also. As for tripods I have two manfrotto's. One old one that came with the MPP, but it feels slighty too flexible on the legs, although the 029 head feels pretty robust. So I figure I shall put that head on my newer and more sturdy 055cl tripod.
And yes, LargeFormat they have back movement! The front standard(?) moves horizontally, vertically and also tilts back on a hinged base. Oh, and the Ground Glass does indeed have a grid.
One more question I cannot work out on the lens/shutter. What is the little switch marked X and M?
Well thank you all for your generous guidance so far!
Rob
--------------------
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday
|
huwevans
Old Hand
Reged: 05/08/2000
Posts: 15408
Loc: Dorset, UK
|
|
Quote:
One more question I cannot work out on the lens/shutter. What is the little switch marked X and M?
Flash sync - X for electronic, M for bulbs. You're unlikely to need M.
--------------------
Huw Evans.
|
wesforee
Reged: 26/01/2002
Posts: 376
Loc: Gloucestershire
|
|
Joining the MPP Users Club is a good idea - it's only £8 a year and the Gaz (the publication) has a wealth of information.
|
Col. Hogan
Reged: 01/02/2000
Posts: 3809
Loc: Illinois, USA
|
|
Great to see another LF user here!
--------------------
Diane 
|
Lounge Lizard
Old Wrinkly
Reged: 17/01/2004
Posts: 17885
Loc: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
|
|
Quote:
Great to see another LF user here!
Good grief Diane! - long time, no hear. 
--------------------
Lounge Lizard
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
|
Col. Hogan
Reged: 01/02/2000
Posts: 3809
Loc: Illinois, USA
|
|
Quote:
Good grief Diane! - long time, no hear.
Hi David!
Yes, it's been a while since I showed up here, but it's still in my favorites list. I just don't have the time to get to all the photo sites I used to and my dialup at home doesn't stay connected for long periods of time. Plus, I'm really only shooting large format (5x12, whole plate (6.5x8.5 in), and 8x10). I am trying to spend more time shooting and less time talking/typing photography.
What have you been up to?
--------------------
Diane
|
Lounge Lizard
Old Wrinkly
Reged: 17/01/2004
Posts: 17885
Loc: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
|
|
Quote:
What have you been up to?
This and that I suppose. Went to India last year and brought back about 2000 images. I'm currently pulling them together with words to make a book using Blurb. I'm off to Cuba in April so I guess that's another project. I'm also doing a bit of industrial photography as well. Much of my work is on digital (Canon 5D) and if I shoot film, it's more than likely to be medium format in my Rolleiflex just for the sheer hell of taking photographs how they used to be taken.
--------------------
Lounge Lizard
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill
|
parisian
Over the hill and far away...
Reged: 10/02/2002
Posts: 7721
Loc: Môn mam cymru
|
|
Hi Diane, wonderful to hear from you again. Like David I think - Digital for money, film for fun.
--------------------
Hells pensioner - born to be mild
|
Col. Hogan
Reged: 01/02/2000
Posts: 3809
Loc: Illinois, USA
|
|
Hi Peter! It's been a long time. I have a digital, but it's mostly hiding in it's bag with the battery out of it. Nothing really gets done with it. I have issues with storing the images and still being able to get to them one or more years later. I got to the point I was tired of spending all my money on all the electronic bits and pieces.
--------------------
Diane
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
