Sputnik Focus Tips (from my archives)

[Stephen Puckett <spuckett@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 09:33:57 -0700
From: Stephen Kearney <slk@xxxxxxxxxx>

> > I have used a Sputnik for some time now and would recommend it to
> > anyone, but having read your shutter adjustment article, I thought
> > you may have some idea how to handle a problem that I have.
> > My left hand lense (looking from behind) is slightly out of focus.
> > How can I release the gearing to refocus the lense, and if I manage
> > to release it - how should I go about focussing the lense before
> > locking it back into place?.

Hi Tony and welcome to the list.

To adjust the lens you need a very small screwdriver, a piece of ground
glass sized to fit the film aperture, and a loupe. Tape the loupe onto
the GG so you can judge the focus accurately without holding the loupe
constantly. You'll find three tiny screws in the geared ring on the front
of the lens. Loosen each a half turn at a time until the ring can be
pulled off. Be extremely careful to avoid dropping any of the screws;
they're really hard to find! Now using the GG and a dark cloth (a shirt
works fine) focus the other lens on something far away at infinity focus.
Now move the GG over and focus the problem lens on the infinity object.
Next place the geared ring back on the lens, being careful to not move
the lens, and tighten the screws a half turn each at a time. This is
important; if you tighten one screw too much it will go past the threads,
fall out, and be almost impossible to find. I dropped one on a clean
hardwood floor and could not see it even using a flashlight shining light
at an oblique angle. Finally I found it by sweeping a large area and
using a magnet on the small pile of dust. Finally focus on something
close like books on a shelf and check both lens' focus.