Re: I'm going Sputnik shopping

[pennywise@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Date sent:      	Wed, 24 Feb 1999 12:24:12 -0500
To:             	rkymtmem-3d@xxxxxxxx
From:           	Tom Deering <tdeering@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject:        	I'm going Sputnik shopping
Send reply to:  	rkymtmem-3d@xxxxxxxx

> Hello,
> 
> I will be travelling to the Czech Republic in a few weeks.  I am going to
> actively look for a Sputnik or two while I am there.  If anyone can help
> me, I need two kinds of information.
> 
> 1. Has anyone purchased cameras in the former Soviet Union or the former
> Czechoslovakia?  Are there any places I should look for cameras?  Are
> camera shops the best place to look, or is there another way to find these
> cameras?
> 
> 2. What should I look for?  What should I guard against?  I've heard the
> Sputniks are prone to light leak and internal reflection problems, but is
> there anything else I should be aware of?  I mean, besides the standard
> camera stuff like working shutters?
> 
> 3. In American Dollars, what is a "good" price?  eBay shows two that sold
> for $180 and $255.  At what price should I simply plunk down my Koruna?
> 
> Thanks to all.
> 
> Tom
> 
> I picked up a Sputnik 18 months ago in Prague in a shop for the equivelent of £130
sterling. I don't know how this equates with US dollars, but it is about £50 cheaper than it would have
been if I had bought it in the UK. Light leaks are simply solved but 
internal reflections are hell. One of my Sputniks has flock paper 
(black, of course) glued to the inside panels and that works quite 
well. The second had the internal surfaces lightly abraided with 
medium wet & dry paper until they were flat aqnd almost non 
reflecting. There is very little difference between the results of either.
While you are there, try and get one of the new FED "BOY" stereo 
camera's. Fully automatic and really lovely optics (35mm).
Tony (UK)
>