I would be grateful for Spud users thoughts on the possibility of lens
vibration in my Spud.

I have just got around to putting some films through a Spud I purchased
last year. In spite of the well-documented idiosyncrasies of the beast,
I found the impact of the MF stereo pictures (in a 3D World viewer)
worth the trouble! The camera has no mods or tweaks (yet). I had gaffer-
taped the doors etc and used the lens shades, got no flare or light
leaks, and exposures were fine, however the right-hand images were
generally softer. On close inspection there seems to be evidence of
vertical movement. When I checked that the two viewing lenses
harmonized on a ground-glass screen on the film plane (they did), I
became aware of slop in the lenses in general and the right hand one in
particular. Thinking that it could be the lens vibrating during the
exposure, I have stretched a 45mm rubber "O" ring around all 3 lenses,
which appears to have removed the play in the lenses. I also put some
foam slivers behind the 2 pressure plates in case the film wasn't flat.
Of course the next film show if my temporary modification has helped!

Regards, Mike.

lensation wrote:

> .... I found the impact of the MF stereo pictures (in a 3D
> World viewer) worth the trouble!

You bet'cha it is :)

> - snip - the right-hand images were generally softer. On close
> inspection there seems to be evidence of vertical movement. -
> snip -

This is a pretty common problem with the Sputnik.
Some solve it, as you have, by damping the motion with a band.
It's cheap and easy.

If you have the front element off the lens, however, it is also
cheap and easy to clean the old grease off the threads and
reinstall the element with a fresh coating of nyogel damping grease.
http://www.nyelubricants.com/damping.php

John "A Little Dab'll Do Ya!" Thurston
Juneau, Alaska

Thanks John. If the band doesn't work then it'll have to be those pesky
little grub screws then! I realise now you alluded to vibration in your
July 2007 posting in connection with the sale of your Spud. Also I had
been wondering previously, how many owners have persevered with the
original lenses and not gone for replacements? Clearly you had stuck by
them.

Regards, Mike.

lensation wrote:

> Thanks John. If the band doesn't work then it'll have to
> be those pesky little grub screws then!

You'll have to work with those little screws if you ever
want to adjust the focus on your camera. When that time
comes, be sure to take the time to
A) start with good quality screwdrivers
B) file them fit as closely as possible
C) work over a tray to catch the screw if you back it out
too far

The steel screws are sometimes so soft that think the
soviets may have substituted stale chewing gum to save on
metal. Make sure your screwdrivers fit well before attacking
those screws.

> Also I had been wondering previously, how many owners
> have persevered with the original lenses and not gone for
> replacements? Clearly you had stuck by them.

I'm not aware of many who have replaced the lenses on their
sputnik. Some have installed lenses from other Lubitel
cameras, but I hardly consider those to be replacements.

Alan Lewis is one who has put Mamiya lenses on a Sputnik and
written it up.
http://www.seriousviewers.com/projects/mfcam2/mfcam.htm


--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us