Sputnik

[Paul S. Boyer <boyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On the Sputnik, to Rainer Stotzka.
I purchased mine (a Cyrillic-labeled, non-export edition) at a
used camera store in Warszawa in 1975 for $16 US  (no decimal error).
The Sputnik has a straight-forward, simple design, with all the
heavy-industry
touches one might expect from Soviet productions.  Its uncoated
lenses
are actually geared together with naked pinions for focusing.
The case is plastic, looking like Bakelite.  The viewing lens
is between the taking lenses.  One looks down onto a rather dim
ground glass to focus and frame the scene.
Real proletarian!
The 120 roll-film is loaded by opening the hinged back which opens
in the middle like two barn doors.  A flimsy sliding piece of
aluminum
sheet-metal slides down to close the doors, but none too securely.
I found that I had to tape the back to keep it from flopping open
unexpectedly.  Nonetheless, there is a light leak somewhere, giving
random streaks which are most annoying in stereo.
The Sputnik is fun as a period-piece, and there isn't much else in
6x13 cm format.  My advice: Bitte, sparen Sie sein Geld!
Paul S. Boyer
boyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


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