MPP as a first camera?

[Captured City]

Hello, im new to the forum (and to LF) and am hoping to get some advice on a good starter 5x4 camera. I have searched the forum for similar threads to try and whittle down my requirements and have found a potential MPP camera on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MPP-5X4-CAMERA_W...#ht_500wt_1182

Budget is a big consideration as I am a student with very limited funds. I could probably stretch to £300, which might get a second hand shenhao for example, but then I will still need a lens and other accessories which I avoid by getting the MPP which includes a couple of lenses and a roll film back.

I am an architecture student based in London with an interest in urban photography (currently using dslr and 120mm mf cameras) so am probably looking for a field camera rather than a mono. From what I have read on here the MPP is far from ideal, but people always say the first camera is rarely a perfect fit anyway. So the question is this...Is the MPP a worthwhile investment in terms of learning and getting used to LF photography baring in mind I can prob sell for a similar price later and upgrade? OR is it worth getting a better camera from the off?

Any comments/help greatly appreciated.

Dan

[Bill_1856]

If it was indicated to be in great condition then I'd say it would be an excellent camera and combination of lenses to start with.
However, it looks like a potential train wreck from the "limited" description and cautious comments. I'd avoid it like the plague.

[Dave Dawson]

Hi Dan, I have an MPP and it would be a good entry level camera to learn and perfect the skills of LF. I also have a Sinar.

The camera you have your eye on doesn't show a focusing hood but as you rightly say, you would probably get your money back if and when you upgrade.

Good luck and GO FOR IT.

Cheers Dave

Hello, im new to the forum (and to LF) and am hoping to get some advice on a good starter 5x4 camera. I have searched the forum for similar threads to try and whittle down my requirements and have found a potential MPP camera on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MPP-5X4-CAMERA_W...#ht_500wt_1182

Budget is a big consideration as I am a student with very limited funds. I could probably stretch to £300, which might get a second hand shenhao for example, but then I will still need a lens and other accessories which I avoid by getting the MPP which includes a couple of lenses and a roll film back.

I am an architecture student based in London with an interest in urban photography (currently using dslr and 120mm mf cameras) so am probably looking for a field camera rather than a mono. From what I have read on here the MPP is far from ideal, but people always say the first camera is rarely a perfect fit anyway. So the question is this...Is the MPP a worthwhile investment in terms of learning and getting used to LF photography baring in mind I can prob sell for a similar price later and upgrade? OR is it worth getting a better camera from the off?

Any comments/help greatly appreciated.

Dan

[Ivan J. Eberle]

My advice is to be patient and buy the newest and best condition camera you can afford-- and that a better kit will soon come along. This MPP looks decrepit and is described as being in poor condition. The lenses are scratched, and likely the shutters are in similarly lousy shape.
There's more than enough of a learning curve to LF without having to restore a camera for which parts may be unobtainable or to be fighting your equipment.

[Dave Dawson]

I've seen alot worse

Cheers Dave

If it was indicated to be in great condition then I'd say it would be an excellent camera and combination of lenses to start with.
However, it looks like a potential train wreck from the "limited" description and cautious comments. I'd avoid it like the plague.

[Jim Graves]

Dan ... There are a lot of cameras out there.

This might be a good deal but it is almost impossible to tell from the description given. It really helps to have a seller who knows lenses and can describe their condition accurately, can test the shutters on all speeds and inform of the results, can test for light-tight bellows, can describe the movements available on this particular model, can describe how freely and completely the movement of the front standard is, etc. This seller obviously can't do that. And, when you're limited in budget, it's important to make sure each purchase will work as expected. If budget wasn't critical, I'd probably side with Dave on this one figuring it looks like quite a bit for the cost ... if everything works ... and say dive in and get started.

Also, I don't know anything about this model ... but if it is typical of the press camera I have ... a speed graphic, they have very limited movements ... something that would be a concern if I was looking to shoot architecture. Architecture shooting also requires use of wide angle lenses. The 90 mm Angulon is a nice light-weight mildly wide angle for 5x4 field work but is VERY limited in movement before you start getting distinct darkening in the corners and then vignetting.

This outfit just sounds a little too risky given your needs ... and, as I said earlier, there are a LOT of cameras out there. You could also try an ad on this forum ... describe your circumstances and see what's available. A lot of the old hands here have a lot of idle equipment and like to help students enter the hobby.

Good luck, whatever you decide, and welcome to LF ... you'll love it.

[Dan Fromm]

Dan, visit http://www.mppusers.freeuk.com/ to learn more about MPP cameras.

[Ron Bose]

If I were you I would try and get a Sinar, maybe an F1 or F2.

Especially if you may be doing architecture. It won't be good for field photography as much but it'll teach you real fast how to handle a view camera.

If you want to do street photography in LF I would suggest otherwise. A Mamiya RB67 is likely the biggest camera I would use for urban photography and it can be bought for rock bottom prices. Also, in my opinion, the RB glass is better than my Hasselblad glass because I can't focus the 'blad to save my life.

In my opinon, 4x5 is not that far off from MF 6x7 unless you need bags of movements.

To me 5x7 and 8x10 contact printing is what LF is about. As I said, my RB67 and Mamiya 7ii cameras have gotten me equal quality to 4x5 ...

I'd be patient and wait for the right cam to come along. Also, if you know someone, they may lend you an entry level 4x5 to see if it's for you or a passing fad ...

[Pete Watkins]

Dan,
There are register questions with many of the MPP cameras. Standard film holders will not work well on them.
If you're a bit hard up liook for a decent condition B&J view camera or some of the older view/field cameras that come up on this forum. I'm sooooo happy with the 4x5/5x7 B&J that I bought on this forum for $200, I also bought an Ansco for $100, gotta get new bellows but it was still an incredible bargain.
Pete.

[IanG]

Almost all MPP's knock spots off most US Press camera's, there were some early Press models but the V, VI, VIII but particularly the VII's are the best, they are Technical camera's like the Linhofs and so have excellent movements.

The register problem was only with the very early MPP models of which there are only a few around anyway, this isn't one of them.

Ian