Polaroid MP-4 Quick setup guide

This product has been approved by Under-
rrriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). As a condi-
tion of approval UL requires that the
following safetl- information be provided.
IM PORTANT SAFEGUARDS
AS WITH ANY ELECTRICALLY OPERATED EQUIPMENT, BASIC SAFETY PRE.
CAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED. REMEMBER:
I. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
2. DO NOT LEAVE UNIT UNATTENDED.
3. IF UNIT WILL NOT BE USED FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, UNPLUG
FROM ELECTRICAL OUTLET. GRASP PLUG, NOT CORD, AND PULL TO DIS-
CONNECT FROM OUTLET.
4. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WITH DAMAGED CORD, OR UNIT WHICH HAS
BEEN DROPPED OR DAMAGED, UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY AUTHOR-
IZED SERVICE CENTER.
5. DO NOT LET POWER CORD HANG OVER FRONT EDGE OF TABLE OR
COUNTER OR TOUCH HOT SURFACES.
6. UNiT MUST BE GROUNDED. POWER CORD HAS THREE-PRONGED
GROUNDING PLUG, WHICH MUST BE PLUGGED INTO APPROPRIATE OUTLET. IF
SUCH AN OUTLET IS NOT ALREADY AVAILABLE, EXISTING OUTLET MUST BE
CHANGED. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, REMOVE GROUND PRONG
FROM PLUG*.
7. IF EXTENSION CORD IS NEEDED, USE CORD WITH GROUNDING PLUG*
AND SUITABLE CURRENT RATING. CORDS RATED FOR LOWER AMPERAGE
THAN UNIT MAY OVERHEAT. ARRANGE CORD SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE
TRIPPED OVER OR PULLED.
8. THE LAMPS GET HOT. DO NOT TOUCH THEM OR PLACE THEM EXCES-
SIVELY CLOSE TO CAMERA BELLOWS, DRAPES OR CLOTHING.
9. BEFORE STORING, ALLOW LAMPS TO COOL COMPLETELY. DISCONNECT
POWER CORD AND LOOP IT LOOSELY AROUND CAMERA COLUMN.
10. TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN
SWITCH UNIT OR OUTLET UNITS, AND DO NOT IMMERSE THEM IN WATER OR
OTHER FLUIDS. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT NEAR WATER OR WITH WET HANDS. IF
SERVICE OR REPAIR WORK IS REQUIRED, CONTACT AUTHORIZED SERVICE
CENTER.
-THIS APPLIES ONLY IN COUNTRIES WITH GROUNDED ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES.
PLEASE KEEP TH ESE INSTRUCTIONS

Contents
Camera parts.
The two MP-4 models . . .
Thecameraheads. . .::. . ..
The MP-4 shutter
Lenses for the MP-4
The focusing screens
The reflex viewer and hood
The interchangeable fllm holders . . . . . .
Hol,r'to attach the electrical assembly . .
Attach camera coÌumn to baseboard . . .
Camera assembly
Assembly and use of the sliding
camera head. . .
AssembÌy and use of the 44-40
fixed camera head . .
Assembly and use of the 44-44
fixed camera head . .
Assembly of lighting system
Camera operation
Hor,l'to insert the Polaroid Land
Film Holders
How to use the Polaroid Land
Pack Film Holder 44-48 .
Camera tilt . .
Camera column rotation on MP-4
ModelXLR ......... 32
CamerabodyremovaÌ ......... 33
MP-4shutteraccessories ....... 33
Some other useful camera accessories . . . 34
FiltersfortheMP-4 . .......... 35
MP-4careandmaintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Warranty; Registration; Servicing. . . . . . 36
Polaroid Service Centers and Offices . . . . 37
Free and rapid technical assistance
Ifyou ever need additional help in the use ofyour MP-4 camera, or advice on any other
photographic probÌem, you may call us free of charge, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (East-
ern Time). From an1'where in the continental U.S.A., call toll-free at 800-225-1618. Or,
urite to Technical Assistance, Polaroid Corporation, 784 Memorial Drive 3M, Cambridge,
Ma-ss. 02139. For assistance in other countries, please contact the Polaroid offìce nearest
you (see page 37 for list of addresses).
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lntroduction
The Polaroid MP-4 Land Camera is an
unusually versatile photographic unit. Its
uses in industry, business, medicine,
research, education, the graphic arts, and
in a vast variety of other fields are almost
unlimited. They include photomicrography,
photomacrography, wall chart copying,
slide making, X-ray copying, smalÌ object
photography, gross specimen photography,
and many others.
The camera can be used with almost all
Polaroid Land film types. With these, it can
complete most jobs within seconds, without
a darkroom. The camera can also be used
with wet-process films of some formats.
The selection of lenses, and a special
macro extension, render possible a wide
range of reproduction ratios, from extreme
reduction to high magnification. For even
higher magnification, the camera can be
used together with a microscope.
With its wide selection of accessories, the
MP-4 is much more than just a camera - it
is a complete photographic system.
The versatility of the system is truly lim-
ited only by the imagination and ingenuity
ofthe user.

Camera parts
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A. Slrd ng camera head
B. Camera body
C. Shutter
D. Lens
E. Camera body locking knob
F. Vert cal carriage locking lever
G. Height adjustment wheel and lever
H. Vert ca 1 carriage
l. "Pre-vielv cable release
J. Film holder
K. Counterwerght springs
L. Counterwe ght spring box
M. Spr ng attachment rod
The two MP-4 models
The IIP-I canlera is available in two different
-qizes. The largel model i.c ar,aiÌable with a
rotating colunrn. describetl below. The camera
boclv and basic operation of both MP-4 cameras
is identical.
MP-4 Standard Model:
Total camera height: 46 in. (116 cm)
Column height: il5 in. (90 cm)
Baseboarcl area, overall:
18 x 23 in. (.16 x 59 cm)
Lighting: Four 150 watt 120 volt* reflector
floocls, mn off the 120 voit AC suppiy.
MP-4 ModelXLR:
Total camera height: 66 in. (168 cm)
Column height: 55 in. (140 cm)
Baseboard area, overali:
23 x29 in. (59 x 74 cm)
Lighting: Four 150 u.att 120 volt* reflector
floods, mn off the 120 volt AC supply.
The column can be rotated about the base. to
enable the camera body to be su'ung to the rear
of the baseboard, or to any angÌe in between.
For details on the use of the camera in this rn'av
see page il2.
*22O-24O volt areas: l'or areas of the u'orld
where the voltage is 220-240 volts, a 220-240
volt lighting assembly is provided. Lamps of
the appropriate voltage rating must also be
used in those areas.
N. Focusing knob
O. Millimeter scale (focusing column)
P. Ground glass
Q. Reflex viewer and hood
R. Locking screw
S. "Exposure" cable release
T. Millimeter scale (main column)
U. Lamp arms (adjustable)
V. Electric outlets
W. Baseboard
X. Switch box
Y. Column locking lever (Model XLR only)
Z. Column
MP-4 Stand:rrd (left) has non-rotating column;
MP4 XLR (right) has rotating column.
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The sliding camera head
This feature enables you to view and focus
the camera without removing the fllm holder.
You simply slide the camera head one way in
order to view and focus, and in the opposite
direction in order to take a picture. The left
section of the head is designed to hold the
ground gÌass and reflex viewer and the right
section is for the fiÌm holder.
The fixed camera head 44-4O
(available in U.S.A. only)
This is an adapter which enables any one of
the Polaroid MP-4 film hoiders to be mounted
on the camera. To change from a picture-tak-
ing to a viewing position, the film holder
must be removed from the camera.
The fixed camera head 44-44
This is an adapter which enables you to
mount any one of the Polaroid MP-4 film
holders on the camera. It features a reliable
locking system u,'hich keeps the film hoÌder
secure once it has been inserted. This is espe-
cially useful when the camera body is tilted
or removed from the column; also for photo-
microgtaphy and photomacrography, when
very long exposure times may be necessary.
To change from a picture-taking to a viewing
position, the film holder must be removed
from the camera.
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The MP-4 shutter
The MP-l s]'stem uses a self-cocking, lens-
less shutter. The lenses for the MP-4 do not
have built-in shutters; each lens can be
attached to the one universal shutter, which
is mounted in a ìens board, for easy camera
attachment.
The shutter speeds range from 1 sec. to
1/125 sec., and there is a "8" setting for time
exposures. There is also a flash socket with
"X" synchronization. Lens aperture settings
are incorporated into each lens.
The shutter accessories are described on
page 33.
Lenses for the MP-4
A. 135mm lens; f/4.5 to f/32
B. 105mm lens; f14.5 to fl32
C. 75mm lens: f14.5 to fl32
D. 50mm lens; f14.5 to fl32
E. 35mm lens; f14.5 to fl32
F. 17mm lens; fl4 to fl22
The focusing screens
Three ground glass focusing screens are avail-
able for the MP-4. AII are for use with Polaroid
Land film holders described on the next page.
They also can be used with most wet-process
4 x 5 sheet film holders, and some wet-process
roll film holders.
They are scribed for Polaroid 4 x 5 sheet film
and 3% x 4/a pack fiImformats. (The 4 x 5 pack
film image area extends from the right-hand
marking to about % in. (3 mm) beyond the left-
hand marking.)
Ground glass 44-50: This is a standard ground
glass screen, for general-purpose photography.
Aerial image ground glass 44-51: This is a
ground glass with a clear-glass circle in the
center. The image can be focused on the ground
glass in the normal way, or it can be focused in
the clear spot as an "aerial image." Aerial image
focusing is particularly useful in photomicrog-
raphy and in some areas of low light-level
photography, such as high-magnification
photomacrography.
Calibrated ground glass 44-54: It is caìibrated in
inches and centimeters, to measure reproduc-
tion size.
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The reflex viewer and hood
This accessory snaps onto the ground gÌass in
the way shown. The viewing hood on the
front excludes all ambient light, so that the
image on the ground gÌass may be seen most
clearly.
The viewer contains a mirror, which
directs the ground glass image forward,
rather than upward. This makes viewing and
focusing much more convenient.
The image you see is the same you would
see on the ground glass alone. However,
with the reflex viewer the image will appear
the right way up, but reversed from left to
right. This reversal wiÌl not, of course,
appear in your picture.
The interchangeable film holders
The MP-4 can be used with the following:
1. PoÌaroid #545 Land Film Holder for
Polaroid 4 x 5 Land sheet flÌms.
2. Polaroid #550 Land Film Holder for
Polaroid 4 x 5 Land pack fllms.
Some MP-4 sliding heads and 44-40 flxed
heads must be modified slightly to accept this
film holder. Contact Polaroid Corporation (see
page 3) for details.
3. Polaroid Land Pack FiÌm Holder 44-48, for
3hx4Y^ pack films.
4. Polaroid Land Pack Fiim Holder Model 405,
for 3% x 4% pack filrns.
With the Model 405 pack film holder, the loca-
tion of the image area is not the same as that
scribed on the ground glasses. For accuracy in
composition, a framing template and instruc-
tions for its use are provided u.ith the holder.
The Polaroid 4 x 5 film holders and the Model
405 pack film holder can be used with a wide
variety of 4 x 5 cameras and instruments, as
well as with the MP4.
In addition, a number of roll and sheet film hold-
ers for wet process films can be used with the
MP4,
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How to attach the 120 volt
electrical assembly
Before beginning with the camera assembly,
the electrical circuitrv should be attached to
the baseboard. T[rn the baseboard upside
down and place it on a flat, clean surface.
l. Attach the switch unit: Screw the box
with the two switches firmly to the front cen-
ter of the lo*'er face of the baseboard, using
four of the screws provided. The switches
must face outward, as shown. You will flnd
four screu' holes in the proper Ìocation.
2. Attach the two outlet units: Take the cable
coming from one side of the switch unit and
carefully lead it around the front edge of the
nearest baseboard leg. Lay the cable into the
notch specially provided on the front edge of
the leg.
About tvr.o-thirds of the way toward the
back ofthe baseboard, and near its edge, you
will find another four screw holes. Fasten the
outlet unit to these, using four more of the
screws provided.
Attach the other outlet unit to the opposite
side of the baseboard, in the same manner.
This picture shows how the fully assem-
bled 120 volt circuitry should look.
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How to attach the 220-240 volt
electrical assembly
This circuitry is supplied in one solid U-
A\ shaped unit. Simply screw it to the Ìower
side of the baseboard with the screws pro-
vided, as shown.

Attach camera column to baseboard
MP-4 Model XLR: Fasten the column post to the
baseboard, as shown, using the four nuts and
bolts provided. A special rnrench is supplied for
tightening the nuts; use a suitable screwdriver
to hoid the bolts while you are doing this. The
column post must be positioned as sholm, w'ith
the milled section (A) pointing torn'ard the
center ofthe baseboard. Slide the camera col-
umn onto the post and secure it fumly u'ith the
Ìocking knob (B).
The column of the Model XLR can be rotated
through an angÌe of 180 degrees. For details,
see page 32.
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MP-4 Standard Model: The column is most eas-
ily attached with the baseboard in a vertical
position and the column placed horizontalÌy.
Attach the column to the baseboard in such a
way that the millimeter scale faces toward the
baseboard. Insert the fow bolts, first through
the column base and then through the base-
board. Add the washers, and then the nuts.
Tighten the nuts with the special wrench pro-
vided; use a suitable screwdriver to hold the
bolts while tightening them.
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Camera assembly
1. Attach vertical carriage to column: Loosen
the locking Ìever (A) on the carriage by at
least one full revoÌution.
CarefulÌy push the lower end of the carriage
onto the column, making sure that the trvo
white rollers (B) sÌide down behind the rails
(c).
Lower the carriage further, untiÌ the two
white rollers (D) at the top rest against the
top of the column.
Slowly rotate the height adjustment lever
(E) in a counterclockwise direction and, as
the carriage slowly goes down, make sure
the white rollers feed in behind the rails, as
shown.
Lower the carriage by about tu'o more
inches, and lock it on the column by tight-
ening the locking lever (A).
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2. Attach spring housing
and counterweight spring:
Add the spring housing to
the column by simply
inserting it into the coÌumn
top, as shown, with the
spring ends facing the front.
Reinsert the pin, being sure
that it goes through the loop
(B) at the spring end.
Tighten the pin.
Attach the counterweight
spring to the verticaÌ car-
riage. Remove the pin (A)
by unscrewing it and pulling
it out.
Wind the verticaÌ carriage
down the column, until it is
at an easily accessible
height.
Unlock the vertical car-
riage, bring it all the way to
the top of the column, and
lock it again.
Lock the vertical carriage in
position.
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WARNING: Never loosen or remove the pin (A) unless the vertical
carriage is at the top of the column and locked in position.
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4. Put shutter on camera: Then align the smallest of Push the shutter unit onto
A, First screvv the "exposure" the three tabs (B) on the the camera in that orienta-
' cable release into its socket shutter panel u'ith the tion, and rotate it in a clock-
(A). smailest of the cut-outs (C) wise direction until it comes
on the camera body. to a firm stop.
3. Attach camera body to
vertical carriage: Loosen the
knob (A) until it is in a verti-
cal position, as show-n. Also
loosen the screw (B) by
about three rotations.
Push the camera body on alÌ
the vgay, as shou'n. Rotate it
back and forth slightly, until
you feel it click into the true
vertical position. Tighten
(B) and then (A).
CAUTION: When there is no lens on the shut-
ter, the shutter blades are exposed and
unprotected. They are very delicate; do not
touch them.
5. Attach lens to shutter: Carefully screu'the
lens that is to be used into the shutter in the
manner shown.
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Assembly and use of the
sliding camera head
Assembly:
1. Hook the camera head onto the left side
ofthe camera body, as shown.
2. Lower the head carefully, taking care
that the pins (A) engage in the corresponding
holes on the camera body.
3. Lock the head in place by pushing the
latch (B) in toward the camera bodv.
How the camera head slides: To place the left
opening in the head (the vieu'ing position)
over the camera lens, depress the button (C)
and, while holding it in, push the head to the
right as far as it will go. To pÌace the right
opening (the picture-taking position) over
the lens, depress the button (D) and push the
head all the way to the left.
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4. Connect the long "pre-view" cable release:
Do this with the camera head in the picture-
taking position. It should be pushed all the
way to the left.
Attach the release to the shutter, by
screwing it into the "pre-view" socket (E).
Set the lens at its largest aperture (small-
est f-number).
Look at the shutter from above; the shut-
ter blades should be fully cÌosed. Now push
the head alÌ the way to the right, to the view-
ing position. The shutter blades should open
fully. If the above does not happen, you
should adjust the plunger end (F) of the
release in one direction or the other, until the
shutter functions as described.
WARNING: When using the sliding camera
head together with heavy accessories, such
as one or two macro extensions, aÌrvays lock
the vertical carriage on the column as soon as
you have raised or lowered the camera. If
you do not, the camera may begin to slide
down the column, due to the extra weight.
5. Attach the ground glass: One end of the
ground glass frame has two small protrusions
(G) near its base. Hold the frame in the left
hand, with the protrusions pointing to the
left.
Slide the ground glass frame into the camera
head from the left, as shown. SÌide it in all
the way, so that the two retainer pins on the
ground glass frame engage securely in the
two spring Ìoops on the camera head.
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Assembly and use of the 44-40
fixed camera head
1. Attachment: Hold the head so that the
hinges of the two latches (A) are nearest you.
Open the latches, as shown.
Place the head on the camera body. Be sure
it is seated correctly. Push in the tu'o Ìatches
(A) to lock the head in pÌace.
2. Connect the long "pre-view" cable release:
Attach it first to the shutter, by screu,ing it
into the "pre-view" socket (B).
Set the lens to its largest aperture (small-
est f-number).
Then attach the plunger end of the release to
the camera head, in the following u,'ay. Pull
out the arm (C) as far as it will go. While
holding it there, insert the plunger end ofthe
cable release in the way shou,n. Secure the
plunger end firmly with the two nuts (D).
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Slowly release the arm (C). Its movement
should depress the plunger and cause the
shutter to open fulÌy.
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Insertion of a film holder will cause the arm
(C) to be pushed out again. This should cause
the tension in the cable release to be relaxed
sufflciently for the shutter to close fully.
{^ If the shutter blades do not open fully when
the arm (C) is relaxed, or do not close fully
when that arm is pulled out, then you should
adjust the plunger end (D) of the release in
one direction or the other, until the shutter
functions as required.
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3. Attach the ground glass: First, remove
the U-shaped adapter (shown on page 26)
from the camera head.
Hold the frame in the right hand, with the
small protrusions (E) pointing to the right.
Slide the ground glass frame into the cam-
era head from the right. Slide it in all the
way, so that the two retainer pins on the
ground glass frame engage securely in the
two spring loops on the camera head.
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Assembly and use of the 44-44
fixed camera head
l. Attachment: Hold the head so that the
hinges ofthe two latches (A) are nearest you.
Open the latches, as shown.
Place the head on the camera body. Be sure
it is seated correctly. Push in the two latches
(A) to lock the head in place.
2. Connect the long "pre-view" cable release:
Attach it first to the shutter, by screwing it
into the "pre-view" socket (B).
Set the Ìens to its largest aperture (small-
est f-number).
Then attach the plunger end ofthe release to
the camera head in the folÌowing way: Turn
the knob (C) counterclockwise so that the pin
(D) is in a retracted position. Insert the
plunger end of the cable release as shown
(the tip of the plunger should touch the pin).
Secure the plunger end firmly with the two
nuts (E).
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Turn the knob (C) clockwise. The pin
should depress the plunger and cause
shutter to open fully.
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Ifthe shutter blades do not open fuÌly, adjust
the plunger end (l') of the release until the
shutter functions as required.
-\ 3. Attach the ground glass: HoÌd the ground
glass frame in the right hand, with the small
protrusions (G) pointing to the right. Turn
the knob (C) counterclockwise as far as it will
go, against the pressure of the spring. This
wilÌ raise the arms (H).
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Starting with the side farthest away from
you, slide the retainer pin of the ground glass
frame into the opening of the arm. Now slide
the nearer pin into the nearer arm. If neces-
sarv. null the arm out and over as shown.
^Note: Due to the locking system on this cam-
era head, some earlier model MP-4 ground
glass frames may not flt properly and should
not be used.
(D)
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Assembly of lighting system
1. Fasten lamp arms to baseboard: The two
lamp arms must be fastened to the left and
right sides of the baseboard. Use the special
locations near the rear edge of the
baseboard.
The locking lever (A) on each lamp arm
should face the front of the baseboard, as
shown. Fasten the Ìamp arms securely to the
baseboard, using the screws supplied with
the arms.
2. Angle lamp arms correctly: Angle them as
indicated by the two marks (B), and lock
them in position with the lever (A). This set-
ting will give you the lamp position that is
suitable for most general copy work. For
speciaÌ lighting requirements, the lamp arms
may be angled in any way desired. (See page
22.)
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RIGHT.HAND LAMPARM.
MP-4 MODEL XLR.
RIGHT-HAND LAMP ARM.
MP-4 STANDARD MODEL.
Note: Dimension A is slightly
longer than dimension B.
Correct location of cross bars and lamps: The
diagrams above show the correct location of
arms and lamps for each camera model.
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