MPP Focussing-Hood Problem.

[Keith Tapscott]

The focussing hood on my MPP VIII has stuck in the closed position. Any ideas how to free it?
I don't want to try forcing anything in case I damage the hood. I haven't used the Camera for quite a while.

[Peter B]

Hi Keith, I don't know if the info at the link below is of any use as it's a Mk vii, but it may be a better place to ask the question if you haven't done so yet.

http://www.mppusers.com/mkviihood.htm

[Marizu]

Can you completely remove the hood from the camera?
If you need any pictures of a working one then pm me with your email. It might help to see which nuts are supposed to move in which way.

[Keith Tapscott]

Hi Peter, the hood on the Mk VII in the link, looks identical.
Hi Marizu, I managed to open the hood using a thin blade, but the latch stuck again when I closed the hood. I'm not sure how to completely remove the hood from the Camera.

[Marizu]

Completely removing the hood shouldn't be too difficult.
There are two little silver metal things in the centre at either side of the hood. One of the has a screw in it and the other one is bigger but just looks like a box. Looking at the mppusers page the one with the screw is visible just on the back where you insert the dark slide.
That end is stationary but the bigger box end is sprung. If you pus the hood to the side from the screw side to the box (from left to right on the mppusers page) then the sprung right hand side should yield and the hood will come off.

That said, opening the back is easier and more useful on the camera so look for the catch. The catch is on one of the long sides of the film holder back. You just need to pull it to the outer edge of the camera and then pull the hood open using your fingers alongside the catch. Mine springs open easily due to two springs.
It probably got stiff if that flick catch has been bent in.