Pakmanpdx
Member
So I was hanging out at home when I decided to go out for a quick cup of joe. I thought maybe I would go to a coffee shop further afield as I love their coffee and I could also haunt one of my favorite thrift stores. Lo and behold but what should be hanging out in the camera bins but a Zorki 4 w/ Jupiter 8 and a strange (yet familiar looking) Kardon with a 47mm Ektar with a focusing wheel and a tall shutter release. I had read a little online about the Kardons but wasn't aware how rare they seem to be. It is in pretty good shape; apperantly it's a military model from what I can glean online but someone has wiped the lettering off the back plate(!). The lens is in fantastic shape and the body fires pretty accurately it seems to my ear! I'm super excited but am thinking maybe it's worth a kings ransom and I should sell it? Anyone know anything about these beasts...it also has the original case and had a Leitz 5cm brightline (SBOOI) attached to the strap. (sorry for the crappy pictures BTW)
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photobizzz
Speak of the Devil
Not really sure about how much the Kardon is worth but the SBOOI is worth about $50-150 depending on how good shape it is in. PM me if you want to get rid of the SBOOI.
emraphoto
Veteran
yup, it's worth a few bucks. i saw a BGN civillian version over at keh? (can't quite remember) for about $550. the millitary will fetch more. i also saw an original case for 250 BUCKS?!?!? wow!
SCORE!
SCORE!
emraphoto
Veteran
does it have a millitary "badge" of sorts on the back?
photobizzz
Speak of the Devil
I just looked up the Kardon Military and there is one going for $2395 from collectiblecameras.com! You may have really hit the jackpot! I would contact a few of the senior members like our bartender or LeicaTom for a bit of help so you dont get ripped off.
emraphoto
Veteran
emraphoto
Veteran
Pakmanpdx
Member
RE: Kardon
RE: Kardon
Thanks for the replies! Wow, I guess I did hit the jackpot..I figured it was worth something but had no idea it might be worth that much- too much money to shoot, thats for sure. and yes it does have a badge on the back but soweone took paint remover or something to it, as it just has a serial number on it, but it does hav the extra large wind knob and tall shutter release with no serial on the top plate. as for the 5cm brightline it looks "sweet" on top of my IIIc!
RE: Kardon
Thanks for the replies! Wow, I guess I did hit the jackpot..I figured it was worth something but had no idea it might be worth that much- too much money to shoot, thats for sure. and yes it does have a badge on the back but soweone took paint remover or something to it, as it just has a serial number on it, but it does hav the extra large wind knob and tall shutter release with no serial on the top plate. as for the 5cm brightline it looks "sweet" on top of my IIIc!
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Very kool.....I know a friend`s looking for one of these, so check out your email, I sent you his infos 
Tom
Tom
David Murphy
Veteran
Your camera is rare and valuable -- congratulations. I found a Leica I in a thrift strore $20 once -- the Kardon however is extremely rare.