Monster

This is a picture of my large format camera which I used for some of the photos in my portfolio. It is posted more for info and fun rather than serious art :-). The camera takes 4x5 inch sheet film as its staple diet (large format) but will make do with 120 roll film (medium format) when that is not available. It weighs 6lbs without lens or tripod so requires some dedication to cart around. It was made about 1970 by the UK company of MPP and is a good copy of the German Linhof SuperTechnika IV. I find that the difficulty in using it helps me concentrate more on each shot so the pictures from it tend to be better to say nothing of the quality. With a standard lens this cost £300 used ($450 US ?) so is a relatively cheapskate way of getting quality. The US equivalent of this would be a Century Graphic or something like that. All comments welcome!

It's a monster indeed. I like how it works with the background. BTW I responded to your question that you left.

The "7" is more out of envy than anything else. ;-)

Well I appreciate it whatever your motives:-)

Interesting to see it, Colin. I checked out the MPP site a while back. But that isn't the standard lens, is it?

Prehistoric, but I like it! Archeology IS a nice profession. This one looks well preserved, and will be the eyecatcher in the museum for natural history. :-) First I will explore the mamiya 67, later , yes maybe something like this!.

Sandeha that is a Schneider Symmar convertible 210/5.6. Equivalent to a 70mm.

Hans, as long as these beasts are well treated they are very long lived. Extinction is still some way off. There are a couple of pictures here somewhere taken on my 1905 camera. (Not quite as highly evolved). I have always fancied the Mamiya 6 or 7 rangefinder myself. The 67 is a great camera but I like the size of the r/f type. It's the cost of the lenses that really put me off.

you could think of a mamiya press 6x9 or one of the equivalents like the koni? Very reasonable priced. 300- 400 euros on ebay germany and there are real beauties between them!. Decided I wanted the focussing screen above the rangefinder, But don't know what I will do later. (become camera gatherer or something like that :-)

My Large Format camera. All comments welcome!

I certainly have thought of a Mamiya Press especially the Super versions as I believe they have some movements available. I prefer the 6x9 format to 6x6 or 6x7.

Relly like this shot,beacuse I am ready to step in the large format world,now I am exploring the web and trying to find something reasinobly prices,also have some toughts about Mamiya like Hans has mentioned here,or Rollei SL66....hmm,my friends mother (retired photograph) has some Linhof Technika (6x9 and 4x5).....:-))

 

--darko

Darko, If you have not already seen it have a look at QT Luong's website :

 

www.largeformatphotography.info

 

Lots of useful information, camera reviews etc etc.

 

My camera (MPP Mk VII) is a British copy of the Linhof SuperTechnika Mk 4. They are both very strong and reliable cameras. They are maybe not the most versatile but are good to begin with.

 

I recently bought a Mamiya 7 (6x7 rangefinder) I'm finding it quite tricky to use still. - regards Colin

Thanks,I have that link and have already been there so much time,I am glad about Mamiya 7,think that it is very good choice because it merge medium format with rangefinder,congrat...

 

--darko

Good shot of the "Micro Precision Products" version of the Linhof view camera, well titled "The Monster"