Re: [photo-3d] Sputnik Medium Format Cameras - What is your opinion?

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bjorn Larsen wrote:
> What is the pros and cons of the Sputniks?  There seems to be quite
> the cottage industry moving these things from the former Soviet Union
> to the US, if eBay is a gauge.
> 
> I can imaginge some of the cons using this camera, but I am
> particularly interested in the opinion of those of you with first
> hand experience and from "the regulars".
> 
> I am primarily shooting stereo with a Realist.  I've also used medium
> format cameras for several years (and picked up a real good Yashica
> 124G off eBay six months ago, something which rekindled the interest
> in the larger format film).  I'm adding this information to use as a
> yardstick of the problems/quality you think one can expect from the
> Sputnik.
> 

I've had a Sputnik for over six months now.  Before that I used a pair
of Lubitels (6x6 TLRs made by the same company that made the Sputnik)
on a flash bracket.  I switched to the Sputnik because synchronizing
the Lubitels (with a pair of cable releases) was a pain.  I've also
done some MF slidebar pairs and cha-chas with a Yashicamat 124G.

Since you mention the Realist I'm going to include general MF pros and
cons in the list below.

Pros:
-----

1) Film size.  The usable film area with available Spicer mounts from
   Rocky Mountain Memories is 50x50mm.  A Realist frame (not counting
   any cropping by the mount) is about 24x22.5mm.  (Assuming 36mm *
   5/8 for 5 perf frames.)  The MF frame is over 4.6 times larger than
   the Realist frame.  (In fact it is even larger than this would
   indicate since the MF frame size is 56x56mm.)  This means you can
   get sharper images without resorting to really good lenses.  Most
   MF cameras like your Yashicamat have very good lenses.  The Sputnik
   has OK lenses.  The larger film size also means that you don't need
   magnification to mount pairs.

2) Light weight.  My twin Lubitels and my Sputnik are both lighter
   than a Realist.

3) Standard PC flash sync.  The Sputnik has a standard PC flash
   connector.

4) Flash sync at all speeds.  Because it uses a leaf shutter, the
   Sputnik shutter will sync with flash at any speed.

5) Maximum film size.  A pair of 6x6 frames is just about the maximum
   frame size you can use without needing to worry about divergence.

6) Ease of film processing.  Any lab that can handle 120 film (find
   out where the local wedding photographers get their film processed)
   will be able to process stereo pairs without even noticing.  To
   them it will just look like you took every shot twice.  Except for
   2x2x2, 35mm stereo formats aren't supported very well by mainstream
   film processors.

Cons:
-----

1) Bulk.  Although lighter, a Sputnik is bulkier than a Realist.

2) More frequent film changes, and more awkward film handling.  You'll
   only get six pairs on a roll of 120 film with a Sputnik.  Film
   advance is via a knob and red window.  If you're the type who takes
   his time to compose an image and figure out the proper exposure
   this won't be much of a problem.  If you like to shoot rapid
   sequences this is a problem.  You're not likely to be shooting
   rapid squences with an older 35mm stereo camera either.

3) Limited shutter speeds.  The Sputnik has a limited range of shutter
   speeds, and depending on which variant you get they may not be in a
   sequence that you are used to.

4) Tripod highly recommended.  Due to the limited range of shutter
   speeds, and the slower speeds you're going to want to use anyway,
   it is highly recommended that you use the Sputnik on a tripod.  If
   you use a flash you can just set the shutter to it's highest speed
   and not worry.

5) 3/8 inch tripod mount.  To use the Sputnik on most American tripods
   you'll need to get a 3/8x16 to 1/4x20 bushing.  A well stocked
   camera store should have these available.  After leaving my
   external bushing (it looks like a 3/8x16 thumb screw with a 1/4x20
   hole in the head) home while on a trip last week I'm thinking of
   getting one of the bushings that fit within the 3/8x16 socket on
   the camera and Lock-Tite'ing it to the camera.

6) No flash mount.  You'll need to get a flash bracket to hold the
   camera and flash.  Make sure to get one with a 3/8x16 screw (see
   above), or permanently attach a converter to the bracket.  Off
   camera flash is actually a plus.

7) No camera strap lugs.  The case has a strap (and will lessen light
   leaks), but it's a pain to keep the camera in the case.  If you
   keep the camera on the flash bracket or tripod this isn't a
   problem.

8) Light leaks.  The Sputnik can leak light.  Mine doesn't (at least
   not into the image area), but each camera is different.  If you
   keep the camera in its case or in a camera bag when not taking a
   picture you shouldn't have too much trouble.

9) Poor view screen.  The viewing screen is very hard to focus with.
   I only use it for composing.  You can guesstimate range, zone focus
   (based on the aperture you'll use and the hyperfocal distance), or
   use another camera (or a rangefinder) to find the distance.  While
   in Orlando last week I focussed with my Yashicamat (which I was
   using for B&W non-stereo pictures) and if I wanted a stereo pair I
   transferred the distance from the Yashicamat's scale to the
   Sputnik.

10) Flare.  The interior of the Sputnik is glossy and will cause a lot
    of flare if you shoot into a bright light.  Lens shades (which
    you'll have to make yourself), and blackening the interior (either
    with flocking paper or baffles) helps a lot.  I'm just careful
    about lighting conditions when I compose the image.

11) Film choice.  There are a lot of different films available in 120
    format, but there are some 35mm films (like Kodachrome) that are
    not available in 120.

12) No projection.  I've only heard of one or two people projecting MF
    stereo.  I believe that it is mostly done with a pair of single MF
    projectors, similar to projected 2x2x2.  Most people use hand
    viewers.

13) No readily available hand viewers.  Most people build their own
    viewers.  Rocky Mountain Memories offered a viewer kit designed
    and manufactured by Alan Lewis, but a lack of reasonably priced
    lenses has taken this viewer off the market until a new supply can
    be found.

There may seem to be a lot of Cons, but they don't even come close to
out weighting the increase in film size.  To (badly) paraphrase Carol
Shelby, "The only thing that beats square millimeters is rectangular
dollars".  By the way, if you have an excess of rectangular dollars
there are companies in Europe and Japan who would be more than happy
to relieve you of them in exchange for a brand new MF stereo camera.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              | "Oooh!"
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
NAR# 54438                      |       "Dexter's Laboratory"

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