P3D Re: Sputnik question

[erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Erker)]

>Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 14:38:02 -0700
>From: "W.Walsh" <3dshooter@xxxxxxx>
>To: photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: P3D 2 Part Question
>Message-ID: <358988BA.37EF@xxxxxxx>
>
>Has anyone out there used the Sputnik and if so could they give me
>there opinion of it as far as optics,shutter,construction,light leaks
>etc...Also what are my options out there as far as viewers go for
>the Sputnik.

  They are prone to light leaks, fixable or
you can just tape the seams with black tape.
If you have done a light leak test with some
film you will know where the light is leaking
and can tape only the bad areas.

  If you buy your used Sputnik from Joel
Alpers at Rocky Mountain Memories:
http://www.frii.com/~rkymtmem/cameras/sputnik/sputnik.html
Joel includes an "Improving Your Sputnik" sheet
and a film strip that shows the light leaks on that
camera.

  The optics are 3 element coated lenses. The
quality seems to be somewhat variable. Mine is
excellent at f16 and f22. Contrast is okay but
you may get glare off the semi-glossy black
bakelite inside walls of the camera. I have
some info on my web page about what I did to
improve mine (black flocked paper and a baffle):
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker

  I also show you how to make your own lens
shades which will improve things a bit
as well.

  Construction is okay but remember that this
is a bakelite bodied camera. So don't drop it :)

  The shutter has limited speeds: 1/10 to 1/100
plus B or 1/15 to 1/125 on newer models. On mine
the 1/100 is actually 1/60 and 1/50 is 1/50 so
my speeds are even more limited.

  The viewfinder is quite poor. Clear lens with
a center ground glass focusing spot. Judging best
focus is difficult and framing the shot accurately
is even worse. I find it works good enough for
landscape type photos but have given up on taking
people photos (my kids indoors) with it due to
these problems. On a different list someone mentioned
using a laser pointer as a focusing aid in dim
light conditions. A certain model laser can be wedged
between the supply knob and the viewfinder throwing
its beam on your subject and appearing in the GG
part of the viewfinder. I did a quick trial with
my Sputnik and it helped.

  In spite of all the bad things mentioned, you can
still take spectacular phots with a Sputnik. It is the
only affordable ($200-$300) MF stereo camera AFAIK. To get
something better you need to add a zero to the price and
get a Rolleidoscop.

  My Sputnik is serving me well until I get my
twin TLR stereo camera built. Then it'll be
up for sale.

Regards - Greg



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