Re: Spud wish list

[erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Erker)]

>Wow, got my first roll of Velvia back - all shot around f22 or so. I have
>to >say that I'm even more impressed with this Spud's results (at least
>under the >loupe, so far).


  Congratulations. Sound like it worked pretty well
for you.

>Three areas of concern:
>
>Filters - the backgrounds often look hazed-out. Would a UV or haze filter
>help? >What kind can be rigged onto a Spud?

  There might be some kind of Series adapter that
would grab onto the lens. Maybe Sam knows.

>Speeds - With ASA 50 film and tight aperatures, 1/15th or whatever just
>doesn't cut it. I found myself crudely approximating 1/4th sec. with the
>cable release. Is there any known device that would work like a
>self-timer, except that it would give certain timed releases? (I guess
>getting better than 1/125 on the other end is out of the question, too :-)
>).

  I started working on a solenoid/cable release gizmo
that would do just that. I found a solenoid that would
trip the Sputnik shutter when powered by 4 or was it 6
AA nicads.

  That was as far as I got before deciding to do my
Stereo 225 project.

  After the solenoid you would have to rig up a timer
(using a 555 probably) and a driver circuit to switch
the current to the solenoid.

  As far as top end speeds, my 1/100 is actually about
1/60 and slightly mismatched (between lenses) to boot.

  At the low end I have used polarizers as ND filters
to get the exposure time to 1 sec so I could do it by
hand.

  I have also done a 1/4 second jab the shutter exposure
that worked. Only tried this once though.


>Focusing: - I read where someone is talking about replacing the focusing
>screen. What are practical and cost effective substitutes?

  I bought a cheap used Hasselblad screen and
had plans to cut it down and use it in the Spud.
Unfortunately the viewfinder lens has so much
field curvature that the edges will never be in
focus. So I gave up on that plan.

  Don Lopp (in my folio but not on the internet)
told me he had made some kind of wire frame
finder that worked really well. He also said he
had sent one to Joel to try out. But the last time
I mentioned it Joel didn't respond. So I have to
suspect that Joel is trying to get a patent on Don's
idea then sell dozens of them at huge profits :)

Greg