Looking for opinions of users of the MPP monorail 4x5?

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I have been offered an MPP 4x5 monorail camera. MPP was an English company and I think the camera is roughly 30 years old, but still in good condition (including the bellows - concertina and bag-type (?!)). I am new to large format and although it is heavy, looks well made and sturdy I would be interested to hear the views of photographers who have actually used one. I have read quite a few positive reports of MPP's field cameras, but information on the monorail is proving hard to find. Incidentally, another option is an MPP autofocus large format (up to 5x7) enlarger. I think they only made one model and views on this would also be much appreciated.

One final point; I am very much aware that this is a home/studio camera and definitely not one to drag around the countryside. I simply want to know if this would make a good tool to use and learn with, perhaps progressing to a diffrent camera as and when experience dictates.

Thanks very much

Matt

-- Matthew Pulzer (pulzer@dial.pipex.com), September 05, 2000

Answers

This isn't an answer or opinion but there was a previous posting I found by accident. Here it is..

Does anybody know where I can find information about the different types of MPP cameras?

-- JOSE CASAL (JEC1@MRC-LMB.CAM.AC.UK), August 24, 1997

Answers

I think you could find some technical specs for MPP cameras in the book "View Camera Techniques". Our library have an old version of that book dated 1976, they have MPP in the spec comparison chart. Hope you could find more info in newer versions.

-- Bruce Z. LI (blee@faceng.anu.edu.au), December 15, 1

-- Wayne Campbell (wtcamjr@aol.com), September 05, 2000.


I haven't used the MPP monorail since I was at college, too many years ago to admit to.
As I remember, there was nothing remarkable about it, either good or bad. It doesn't have the refinement of a Sinar or Technikardan, but if it's in good condition, it'll be a perfectly serviceable piece of kit.

Monorails are all much of a muchness; film goes at the back, lens and shutter at the front, removeable bellows in between. Front and back that rise, fall, move side-to-side, and twist in two planes. What more could you want?
Fit a good lens to it and nobody'll be able to distinguish the results from any other camera.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), September 06, 2000.


Have you tried www.mppusers.freeuk.com you should find help there. I have only used an MPP field camera, but I have heard that the monorail was well built, and as another poster mentioned, put a good lens on it and no one will, by looking at your pictures, be able to say whatyou took it on.

-- David Kirk (David_J_Kirk@hotmail.com), September 06, 2000.

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