MPP Micro Technical mk. VIII and polaroid back

[Meakin]

Well, It seems I have evolved (devolved?) to 4x5 LF. from 35mm.

As of this moment I'm waiting for a MPP mk.VIII to arrive with a couple of lenses and various other bits and bobs, hence my first post in this fine forum.

I am looking to get a polaroid back for it, and have been researching what fits and whats available........the result ? - utter confusion

Seems some backs fit and some don't (depending on who you ask, naturally), and I was hoping somebody here knew something from experience and would care to shed some light on the subject.

So - anybody know what polaroid back's fits the MPP mk.VIII and takes available (as in still being produced) instant film?

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to my new adventure.

Cheers,

Meakin

[ricnak]

My Dad left me the Mark VII when he passed away. Whenever I have had questions about the camera I have started here: http://www.mppusers.com/.

[sevo]

Don't know about the MPP in particular, but the type 100 Polaroid backs for the currently still available 3¼ × 4¼" pack film all seem to have a flexible slider pulled from below - which makes it rather hard to pull/push the slider in a configuration that also allows for access to the instant film. They are often restricted to landscape view even when attached via Graflok sliders, and usually cannot be used with spring loaded ground glass only type attachments (well, unless you attach the back in a dark bag).

[Meakin]

Thanks for the info so far, from both of you.

From what I understand - the 545 backs accepts (among others) the smaller Fuji FB3000B (3x4"/8.5x10.2cm ) film and the 550 backs accepts the larger (4x5"/10.2x12.7cm) Fuji film.

The mppusers.com site lists the 550 back as compatible with the mk.VIII, but I did read on another forum that it is too thick to fit?

Please, feel free too correct/add to any of this - I'm very new to all this polaroid/instant gratification malarkey

Thank in advance.

Cheers,

/Meakin

[sevo]

Originally Posted by Meakin

From what I understand - the 545 backs accepts (among others) the smaller Fuji FB3000B (3x4"/8.5x10.2cm ) film and the 550 backs accepts the larger (4x5"/10.2x12.7cm) Fuji film.

Nope. The 545 was the holder for single sheet 4x5" instant film. Polaroid were the only maker of the film and went belly-up five years ago. As the liquid component has limited shelf life, expired old stock is by now mostly dead - so these holders are useless except as a holder for the (also endangered, but at least at premium prices still available from Japan) non-instant (!!!) Fuji Quickloads.

The Polaroid 550 (or Fuji PA-45) is the 4x5 pack film holder - a bit less pointless than the former, as Fuji only stopped making 4x5 packs last year, so that some shops will still have good old stock. But as legacy users are battling for the last packs, you'll have to pay quite a premium to get any.

Unless you have the money and spirit to start into a dead medium, it will have to be a 405 - these are the appropriate holders for 3¼×4¼" (a.k.a. Type 100) pack film. Fuji still has FP100C colour and FP3000B black and white - their ISO 100 black and white film is gone, though.

Originally Posted by Meakin

The mppusers.com site lists the 550 back as compatible with the mk.VIII, but I did read on another forum that it is too thick to fit?

Any pack film holders will only slide under generously dimensioned spring backs - the MPP as I remember it is not as tight as some other cameras, but packs might be stretching its limits. Backs can often be modified to accommodate pack holders, but YMMV as to whether that is reasonably affordable. IIRC at least the later MPP models had combined spring/Graflok backs, so you could attach the holders via the Graflok sliders after removing the ground glass.

But you might still have the mentioned issue of being unable to access the slider - the 405 type holders are rather nasty regarding that...

[CNNY]

Originally Posted by sevo

The Polaroid 550 (or Fuji PA-45) is the 4x5 pack film holder - a bit less pointless than the former, as Fuji only stopped making 4x5 packs last year, so that some shops will still have good old stock. But as legacy users are battling for the last packs, you'll have to pay quite a premium to get any.

Unless you have the money and spirit to start into a dead medium, it will have to be a 405 - these are the appropriate holders for 3¼×4¼" (a.k.a. Type 100) pack film.

This explains why there has recently been a deluge of 550/PA-45s flooding ebay. Everyone is trying to get top dollar for theirs before the prices plummet.
I have been using the 405 holder with Fuji pack film in a linhof Technika(a distant cousin of the MPP). While I would prefer to be using the full 4x5 format, the reasonable prices of the Fuji packs makes it a guilt free indulgence that I really enjoy.

As for the 545 holder. They are dirt cheap now, and may (fingers crossed) in future be used again with new film:
new55project

[Meakin]

Sevo et al. Thank you for taking the time to explain this for me, very helpfull.
It's all clear now (boy did I get that one mixed up in my mind!)

CNNY - let's hope the new55project actually happens (seems like it's still alive, they have a couple of job offerings on the website).

Cheers,

/Meakin

[graywolf]

It is a conspiracy against me. I loved 4x5 sheet Polaroid, especially the B&W stuff. I also loved 4x5 film packs, especially the even more out of date 12 exposure packs. I loved Ansco Super Hypan. I no longer am willing to say what I like now, because I am afraid they will discontinue it if they find out I like it.