[MF3D.FORUM:201] Re: Sputniks

[pennywise@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Fred,
Over the years, comments on the Sputnik have been frequent and 
various, but I feel you must speak as you find. I use Sputniks for 
producing 6X6 slides and Holmes type mounted prints and have 
nothing but praise for it. Mind you, you do have to accept it for what 
it is and correct it's many and various foults before trying to assess 
it's qualities. For a start, 90% of Sputniks leak light - - - lot's of it!!!.
So your first task is to light seal it. Not too hard with some black 
wool and a little "super glue". Then you may notice that the interior 
is very highly glazed. Almost like a black mirror. It has the same 
effect, anyway - reflecting light everywhere except onto the film 
where it is supposed to go. This obviously results in a very 
degraded and low contrast result. Now you must assume that it is 
"in focus" - the left lens may be but that is no guarantee that the 
right will also be sharp. It is possible that at least one of the lenses 
is in agreement with the viewing lens, but really you need some 
sort of agreement between both of them. This, also, is not hard to 
correct and I think Greg Erker may be able to throw some light on 
this job. Never the less, don't be put off of what is essetially a good 
piece of kit once it is going right. I have slides taken with a Bronica 
and slides taken with a Sputnik which are to all intents and 
purposes indistinguishable from each other. The T-22 lens is a 
really well tried and tested lens and if stopped down (f8 - f11 - f16) 
will give really good results. My Spud will go well beyond the f16 
mark down to possibly f32. I would not be without mine, I can 
assure you and with a little time spent on it, a Sputnik would prove 
a good lasting investment. Mind you, you could do what I have also 
done and couple two Lubital tlr's together on a bar. Same T-22 
lenses, of course.
Good luck
Tomy(UK)