British 4×5 camera – M.P.P Micro Technical Mark VII

My latest addition to the team is the very affordable British made MPP 4×5 (M.P.P Micro Technical Mark VII camera). This article will compare the basic differences between the MPP vs Speed Graphic, MPP vs Linhof and MPP vs Intrepid 4×5, traveling with 4×5 cameras and the benefits of 120 film backs for 4×5 cameras. I’ll share some MPP sample photos plus general tips on 4×5 photography (pros and cons).

10 reasons to avoid 4×5 cameras

1. Sheet film (4×5) is expensive (Especially colour 4×5 film)
2. Big heavy cameras + more kit to carry
3. Difficult to shoot handheld so also need to carry a tripod + head
4. Slow to use / slow to set up 
5. Often old cameras, may need costly repairs (could buy new Intrepid*)
6. Requires 4×5 film developing kit (or pay expensive 4×5 lab developing)
7. Need bigger scanner for 4×5 negatives (or pay for expensive lab scan)
8. Bigger film and slower camera results in fewer photos 
9. Cameras are more complex to use so a high chance of human error

5 reasons to get a 4×5 camera

1. Price (great value – less than used Voigtlander lens)
2. Vintage cameras are cool. Give them a new lease of life (some love!)
3. Modular – lots of cool lens, backs available 
4. The process – playing with cool cameras (more involved)
5. The look – shallow DOF for portraits 
6. Technicals – using the 4×5 camera movements

Comparing my different 4×5 cameras

The MPP Mk VII is my 4th 4×5 camera. I also own a Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic, a Sinar F2 monorail camera and an early Intrepid 4×5 camera. Let’s go through the pros and cons of each system and why I bought the MPP camera.

MPP vs Speed Graphic 

At first glance the MPP and Speed Graphic cameras are very similar. This is especially true for the early MPP cameras that have the built in shutter the same as the Speed Graphic.

Similar features of both cameras 

1. Built in rangefinder 
2. Solid metal box design
3. Small lens can be left mounted while in transit
4. Drop lens bed / board (for wide angle lenses)

Advantages of a Speed Graphic vs MPP Mk VII

1. The built in shutter lets you use lenses without a shutter more easily. Examples of this are the famous Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens but also projector lenses. I have 3 lenses without shutters currently; the Aero Ektar, a Zeiss Tessar 210mm f3.5 and a Leitz 150mm f2.5 lens. All 3 lenses have no shutter in the lens so are better suited to the Speed Graphic than the MPP camera. 
2. Speed Graphic cameras offer you front tilt movements which are lacking in the MPP Mk VII

Reasons to choose a MPP vs Speed Graphic 

1. Reduced weight. The Mk VII MPP is lighter due to the lack of shutter
2. Rear camera movements 
3. Triple rail extension (better to get closer and longer lenses)

A-Z FILM CAMERA REVIEWS

MPP vs Linhof Technika 4×5

If you like the idea of a 4×5 MPP camera but prefer to only buy new  you might appreciate Linhof cameras. Linhof still make brand new 4×5 cameras at the time of writing (2024). Linhof cameras look beautiful but prices are much higher than vintage 4×5 cameras.

Similar features of Linhof + MPP cameras

1. Both are “lens in a metal box” field cameras
2. Rotating Graflock back
3. Triple extension rails
4. Built in rangefinder
5. Ground glass pop-out focus hood
6. Drop front board for wide angle lenses
7. Rear movements 

Benefits of a MPP vs Linhof 4×5

1. Much cheaper price on the used market

Why you might prefer a Linhof 

1. You can still buy Linhof cameras new in 2024 (+ spares)
2. Linhof Master Technika cameras offer you front movements
3. The latest Linhof cameras are the most refined to date
4. Similar to Leica, you can appreciate the German engineering

MPP vs Intrepid 4×5

My MPP Mk VII and my Intrepid 4×5 are both portable 4×5 camera setups. My MPP is classed as a technical 4×5 camera where as the wooden Intrepid is a folding field camera.

Similarities 

1. Both cameras offer a relatively compact 4×5 setup
2. MPP and Intrepid are both British made cameras
3. Neither 4×5 camera has a built in shutter
4. Both cameras offer a rotating film back
5. Both cameras off front rise and swing

Benefits of MPP vs Intrepid 4×5

1. Small lenses can stay on MPP while closed giving a faster setup time and smaller pack size
2. Metal camera design is more solid and robust with less wobbles 
3. MPP camera is more refined and precise being a technical camera
4. Built in rangefinder for fast approximate focusing 
5. Popup ground glass hood to ease focusing in bright conditions
6. Much greater rear movements

Benefits of Intrepid 4×5 cameras

1. Lightweight as made of wood not metal
2. Available new in 2024 (so no risk of old camera faults/ failures/ repair bills)
3. Low cost for a new large format camera 
4. Front tilt option (MPP Mk VII can drop front base board, MPP Mk VIII has tilt option)

MPP vs Sinar F2 

Another 4×5 camera that I own is the Sinar F2 4×5 studio camera/ monorail camera. Let’s compare some basic differences between these two types of camera.

Reasons to buy a dedicated 4×5 studio camera 

If you want to enjoy the maximum amount of camera movements you’ll prefer a monorail style camera compared to the MPP Micro Technical models.  An example of a monorail camera is the Sinar F2 but MPP also make a MPP monorail camera too.

Buying my M.P.P Micro Technical MKk VII camera

In this YouTube vide you see me introducing my new MPP 4×5 camera –

Analogue cameras – Thanks!

When I first discovered the British MPP cameras (after reading about Linhof cameras) I Googled the name and found the UK website – analoguecameras.co.uk. After speaking with Dan I bought the camera and he kindly shipped it with a free pack of film and some spare MPP lens boards. (There was a deal at the time so I also got 2 free film holders and a cable release too!). I later bought the original lens from Dan too so I look forward to trying that. Again thanks for more free film with my lens order. Check out their website for large format photography or anything analogue.

Compact 4×5 cameras for travel

If like me you plan to get out and about with your 4×5 camera ideally you want something smaller, lighter and more portable. Arguably the best option are wooden field cameras such as the mentioned Intrepid 4×5 but also other brands too. Common names include Wista, Chamonix and Shen Hao when looking at wood field cameras. The next smallest are perhaps 4×5 press cameras such as vintage Graflex cameras, my MPP Micro Technical and of course Linhof cameras. It is possible to make these cameras slightly smaller so let’s cover that next.

Removing the rangefinder from a MPP or Graflex camera

Before we start I must mention that some of what I say here is purely theory as I’ve not tried removing the rangefinder from a Graflex camera. I own the Graflex Speed Graphic and it is very similar to my MPP Micro Technical Mark VII. I removed the rangefinder from my MPP 4×5 camera to make it smaller and lighter for travel. It’s worth noting I have zero DIY skills and I managed to do this successfully so I’m sure you can too if interested. I only plan to use the MPP camera by focusing via the ground glass so I didn’t need the additional rangefinder.

Best bag for a 4×5 camera?

By removing both the MPP rangefinder and cam I reduced the camera weight by around 400g and the width too. The MPP will now fit in my Wotancraft 3.5L Pilot bag (with lens inside and a 120 film back) which blows my mind. It will now be so easy to travel into London on the train with a small bag and a tripod in my hand and do some 4×5 photography. (If I was shooting 4×5 sheet film I think I could carry 3 film holders in the bag instead of the 120 back (giving me 6 photos) + any extra ones in my large jacket pockets. If I want to carry more equipment (such as extra lenses) I can take my Wotancraft 18L backpack like I did for my trip to Budapest.

My best do everything 4×5 camera?

If you want one 4×5 camera to use for perhaps a mix of studio portraits and on location landscape photography the MPP ticks that box for me.  There are lots of large format cameras to chose from but of my 4 different styles of 4×5 cameras the MPP seems to have the best mix of everything I need for general use.

My compact 4×5 camera setup for air travel 

• MPP Mk VII camera
• Compact “normal” lens (120-150mm) to stay mounted during transit
• 300mm f9 compact lens (for more compression)
• Yellow filter + ND grad filter
• Step ring so filters fit all lenses
• Ball head (smaller)
• Carbon fibre full height tripod
• 6×12 Horseman 120 roll film back + spare 120 film
• Shutter release cable (short)
• Focusing loop 
• Jacket (to double as dark cloth)
• Mobile phone for the following apps:
• Viewfinder app (to previsualise composition)
• Film reciprocity app 
• Lightmeter app (if not carrying spot meter)

Budapest photos with a large format camera

The above mentioned “compact 4×5 setup” was more or less my large format kit that I used for my recent Budapest trip. You can see the equipment in action in this YouTube video –

More MPP camera sample photos

All of the film photos shared in this post were shot with the MPP Micro Technical Mk VII camera (unless that camera features in the photos!). Here are some more photos shot with my MPP Mk VII. Click any photo to view full res and to see the lens, film and film developing details.

My preferred “complete” 4×5 setup for UK landscapes use

• MPP Mk VII camera
• Compact “normal” lens (120-150mm) to keep mounted during transit
• 300mm f9 compact lens (for more compression)
• Yellow filter + ND grad filter
• Step ring so filters fit all lenses 
• Geared precision tripod head
• Carbon fibre full height tripod
• 6×12 Horseman 120 roll film back + 120 film
• Loaded 4×5 sheet film holders 3-5 (=6-10 photos)
• Shutter release cable (short)
• Focusing loop 
• Dark cloth
• Sekonic spot meter
• Mobile phone for the following apps:
• Viewfinder app (to previsualise composition)
• Film reciprocity app 
• Lightmeter app (if not carrying spot meter)

UK photo trip todo

I hope to plan some UK large format photo trips and then I can use the above kit and not have the size restrictions that come with air travel. I’ll be sure to make a video and link it here so feel free to follow the blog or subscribe on YouTube so not to miss it.

Kit list changes for 4×5 portrait shoots

• 6×7 or 6×9 Cambo or Calumet (slide in) 120 roll film backs (not clip on Horseman film backs)(for speed)
• 6×7 Cambo back first choice for portrait compositions (vs 6×9 and 6×12)
• Faster lenses for portraits (Perhaps 210mm f5.6)
• MPP camera for a portable setup
• MPP + lens with shutter for portraits with flash 
• Speed Graphic + Aero Ektar combo for home use (limited travel)
• Additional digital camera to warm up the model, have a digital backup of photos and to use as a lazy light meter

A-Z FILM STOCK Reviews

Large format portrait shoot

After getting my MPP I was keen to try it for portraits so I invited a model for a photoshoot. You can check out the video here –

Best lenses for MPP 4×5 camera

This topic is work in progress as I continue hours of research for my own interest. Some things are obvious and some less so. If you want nice shallow DOF from standard 4×5 lenses (ie. those with a built in shutter let’s say), it’s a combination of focal length and maximum aperture. A 210mm f5.6 will give a more shallow depth of field vs. a 180mm f5.6 or 150mm f5.6 (for example). But, it’s not quite that straight forward. Longer lenses get bigger and heavier so a 240mm f5.6 is quite a bit larger than a 210mm f5.6.

Longer lenses also require more bellows extension so my 300mm lens requires the triple rail extension on the MPP for many photos. Wider lenses have the opposite issue. I have 75mm and 90mm and you need to drop the base board to make sure that is not seen in your photo. If you want wider than 75mm you might require a recessed lens board (but you may still see the base board so it’s worth checking).

What lenses fit inside the MPP cameras?

When buying the MPP Micro Technical Mk VII one thing that attracted me was being able to leave the lens mounted when the camera is in transit. This gives both a smaller pack size and a faster set up when you reach your location. What I am coming to realise is not all lenses will fit inside the MPP MK VII camera. My Schneider APO-Symmar 120mm f5.6 will fit and my older Schneider Xenar 150mm f4.5 lens too. The Nikkor M 300mm f9 is very compact for a 300mm lens (52mm filter thread size) but it’s just too big to be able to close the MPP. My learning continues but I’m currently favouring smaller lenses (and ideally small fast lenses).

MPP + projector lenses

For my next model photoshoot I want to explore the idea of using my Leitz Hektor 150mm f2.5 projector lens on my MPP for some super shallow DOF portraits. This lens has no aperture blades and no shutter so the plan is to use the lens cap to start/ stop the exposure time. Wish me luck! (Again, I will link the results here once I’ve done it). Here is a test photo and the lens sharpness is good (despite the light leak)(film was unloaded from a different camera) –

13 benefits of using 120 film vs 4×5 sheet film

It might sound silly to buy a big 4×5 camera setup and then shoot 120 film. It would be much easier to just shoot with 6×7 cameras (such as a Mamiya 7 or RZ67) or 6×9 cameras (like a “Texas Leica” or folding cameras). Here is my reasoning for using a large format camera –

1. 120 film in 4×5 cameras gives you more movement options than a fixed plane standard medium format camera
2. Medium format 120 film is cheaper to buy per photo vs 4×5 sheet film
3. Roll film is much more readily available so you get to shoot with a wider variety of film stocks
4. 120 film is easier to develop at home in a standard Patterson reel tank (but note you can get the Mod 54 kit to then be able to develop 4×5)
5. Roll film is easier to scan at home with a basic flatbed scanner such as the Epson v600 (I had to buy the Epson v800 scanner once I moved to 4×5)
6. 120 film is cheaper to process at a lab (developing costs and scanning costs)
7. Not all film labs will process 4×5 sheet film
8. 120 film can be loaded into roll film backs on location and without a dedicated changing bag/ tent. (4×5 film can’t)
9. Roll film is arguably faster and easier to load (especially for beginners)
10. 120 film backs let your shoot a range of film formats to keep things interesting (6×7, 6×9, 6×12 etc)
11. For panoramic shots 6×12 film backs give you the same film width as 4×5 film (approx) without the “wasted sky” area
12. Roll film backs only use the sharper centre portion of any 4×5 lens image circle giving you higher performance (especially at the edges)
13. If you want to shoot a high number of photos on location 120 backs let you do this without carrying a pile of 4×5 sheet film holders.

In summary, if you love the process of using a large format camera but don’t need the 4×5 output I love the option to use roll film.

5 reasons why you might want to try 4×5 photography 

1. Shallow DOF (If you use a fast lens)
2. More camera movements
3. The 4×5 camera slower process
4. More details captured from the larger negatives
5. You enjoy being precise with your photography

If you enjoyed this article consider following the blog so not to miss future posts. I’m sure my large format adventures are only just starting!