[MF3D.FORUM:379] Sputnik fix up kit - Part II

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

So where does the Sputnik fix up kit stand?

If I can borrow a comment Brian made on P3D about making
a twin cable release, and modify it a bit, it would tell
a lot about where the kit stands:

| I have a habit of making projects much more complicated
| than they need to be, and [putting them beyond my skill
| level to complete them] in their overly complicated state.

It's one thing to do something for yourself and your own
equipment, quite another to be satisfied that something
is good enough to sell as product.  (So hats off to the
likes of Alan Lewis who can create something as wonderful
as the MF viewer kit in a form that customers love!)

I could easily provide a kit that has black yarn for the
grooves, velveteen for the door hinge area, flocking paper
to cover the shiny areas, gaffers tape for the camera back,
and the tripod adapters (thanks to Greg E.!)  But I want
to do better than that.  :-)

Due to the very irregular shape of the chambers behind
the lenses, the flocking paper is a hassle to install.
So instead I want to provide a flocking paper-covered
baffle that can be easily built and installed.  I have
used one myself and liked it; the hangup now is coming
up with a way to make them "just right" so they are good
enough to sell.  I spent most of Saturday working with
one design from Don Lopp and another from Tom Deering
trying to get to where I want to be with the baffle.  I
think I can now produce a satisfactory version of the Don
Lopp baffle.  But now I want to add some features of Tom's
baffle to Don's design to potentially improve its overall
effectiveness.

I've purchased and used black yarn for the door groves, but
wanted to investigate supplying something better.  I've
been looking at the light trap material from MicroTools.
Unfortunately their web site uses the same picture for a
half dozen or so different products, and the two or three
I have purchased so far are not what is shown in the picture.
I haven't quite decided the best course of action there.
Yarn does work; light trap strips would be more professional.

I have also purchased and used velveteen for the door hinge
area, but again would like to supply something better.  I
am evaluating both shutter curtain material and light trap
foam from MicroTools.  I like those options better than the
velveteen, so one or the other (or both) will end up in the
kit.

The tripod adapter and gaffers tape at least are pretty
settled.  ;-)

Another issue that is not settled is what to do about
the adhesive for installing the light leak fix materials.
I've been warned that including an adhesive could cause
problems sending the kit via U.S. mail due to prohibitions
against mailing "hazardous materials."  Anyone have any
insight on that?

Finally, although I had not originally planned to do so, I
would like to include sunshades in the kits.  I'm still
clueless, however, as to what those materials are that Greg
used to build his.  After I finish the baffle design, I'll
tackle the sunshade issue.  If anyone else has any nifty
sunshade design tips they would like to contribute, please
feel free to pass them along!  ;-)

Oops, one other thing.  When I've worked on Sputniks for
others, I've used the lightbulb-in-the-camera trick for
checking the results of my light leak fixes.  I'm wondering
whether I should include a battery-opearted light bulb
contraption (Radio Shack battery holder, light bulb, and
wires to connect them together) for folks to check their
light lead fixes.  Or should I just include the fix up
materials and assume that if they are installed as directed,
everything will be OK?  Thoughts?

Paul Talbot