Other/Uncategorized Ever heard of a USA made Leica copy?

[marke]

I was at a camera collectors show a couple weeks ago, and I saw an American made LTM that looked just like a Leica III. I can't remember the name of it, but I'm just wondering if anyone here is familliar with such a thing. The top plate was engraved with the name and "Made in USA". The vendor told me that they were made during WWII. His price was $1500.

 

[dexdog]

Sounds like the the Kardon camera. The price quoted is pretty fair for a camera in good shape, with the appropriate 47mm Ektar lens. Originally made during WW2 and shortly thereafter.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

No, no, no,

He's having a laugh.

 

[dexdog]

A laugh on the price? They seem to be all over the place on price, but occasionally sell for silly money on eBay. Depends on the condition of course, as with all collectables

 

[marke]

Kardon, yes that was it. It was in very good shape and sported the Ektar lens. In fact, it looked just like the civilian model featured in this link, complete with the geared focusing design:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Kardon-USA-Civilian-Camera-w-Kodak-47mm-F2-Ektar_W0QQitemZ270355557385QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item270355557385&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

 

[Roger Hicks]

Allegedly -- I've never owned or even handled one -- the quality control of the Kardon was wobbly. But it's rarer than the (better-made, but slightly later) British Reid, which I have had (I and III) and which was very usable.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[Al Kaplan]

At least they had the good sense to put the Kodak lens on them. Kodak made some great lenses back then, a lot better than what Wollensack was turning out.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

A Reid with a TTH lens is a very nice camera for a gentleman photographer.

 

[marke]

From what I've read up on them so far, it seems that the parts often had to be tweaked for each camera. Not very practical for mass-production, I suppose.

It sounds to be a camera that would appeal to a collector, esp. someone looking for American-made models, but not for someone lokking to actually use it a lot.

Allegedly -- I've never owned or even handled one -- the quality control of the Kardon was wobbly. But it's rarer than the (better-made, but slightly later) British Reid, which I have had (I and III) and which was very usable.

Tashi delek,

R.