Sputnik

[Robert Thorpe <thorpe@xxxxxxxx>]

For the last month or so there has been a Sputnik on Ebay. It goes 
through the bid cycle and the seller presumably has set such a high
reserve on it that no one ever gets it. The first time I saw it, it 
drew $282. The second time it drew $300. Well, it's up there again.

     http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=37448951

The seller thinks he will get $400-$500 according to the description.
I see Joel doesn't have any Sputniks for sale on the Rocky Mountain
Sputnik page and therefore, no prices to compare to, but weren't they 
going for about $250? Maybe the seller should be happy with the bids
he's getting and let the thing go. Although, if he puts it up enough
times maybe he'll get what he wants.

======================
Robert Thorpe
Cedar Rapids, IA
thorpe@xxxxxxxx
http://www.skep.com


Sputnik description:

This is a Sputnik stereo camera, made by GOMZ in the old U.S.S.R. during
the 1960's,...makes 6 x
     13 cm stereo pairs on #120 rollfilm! It's in EXCELLENT+ overall
condition and comes complete
     with its original case and lens caps. The simple 75mm F4.5 lenses
are very clean and clear, the
     shutter speeds (1/15 to 1/125 second plus B) are accurate, the
simple reflex viewing (with the tiniest
     ground glass focusing spot you will ever see) works quite
effectively, and the bakelite body is
     absolutely solid and devoid of any cracks. Hey, people love to poke
fun at these ungainly little
     beasts, but,...1) they take seriously GREAT pictures; 2) they are
so darn simple that just about
     anybody can fix them with a piece of gum and a rubber band, if you
know what I mean; 3) they are
     the ONLY stereo #120 rollfilm cameras available for anything
resembling a reasonable price. You
     want to go pay nearly $1000 for one of those "classic" German #120
rollfilm stereo cameras??? Are
     you kidding?!? The Sputnik is listed up to $500 in the current
McKeown's Price Guide and they
     have been selling regularly for under $400 at camera shows this
year. Here's your chance to pick up
     a beauty, a seriously exceptionally nice example, right now!!! High
bidder will please prepay and
     add $6 for S&H within the United States. I don't have a scanner to
show pictures of my items, so I
     allow a ten day inspection period and money back guarantee.