Premier Instrument (Kardon) Kardon Rangefinder

Kardon Rangefinder

The Kardon Rangefinder is a 35mm Leica screw-mount camera produced by Premier Instrument Corporation of New York. It was developed during and shortly after World War II as an American substitute for the Leica rangefinder, at a time when German camera imports and supply were disrupted [1][2].

The camera uses the Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM, M39 or Leica screw mount. It accepts Leica-compatible screw-mount lenses, making it directly relevant to LeicaLensList’s camera scope [1].

The Kardon was closely based on the Leica IIIa concept, but it was not a simple low-cost copy. Premier Instrument re-engineered many internal parts and built the camera with a strong emphasis on precision manufacture, serviceability and military durability. Mike Eckman describes it as one of the closest American attempts to matching or exceeding the quality of a Leica rangefinder [1].

The standard lens supplied with the camera was a Kodak Ektar 47mm f/2 in a Premier-made focusing mount. Although the lens was made by Kodak, the focusing mount was specific to the Kardon system. The body mount itself remained the same 39mm Leica screw thread, allowing broad compatibility with LTM lenses [1][2].

Mechanically, the Kardon uses a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter. Published specifications list T, B and speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 second. The camera has no built-in exposure meter, no battery-dependent functions and no flash synchronization [1].

History

Development and Launch

The Kardon project began when the United States needed precision 35mm cameras for wartime use. The New York office of Ernst Leitz was under government control, but it could not easily manufacture new Leica cameras in quantity. The work was eventually subcontracted to Peter Kardon and Premier Instrument Corporation [1][2].

Premier Instrument initially worked from Leica IIIa bodies supplied for study. The goal was to create an “American Leica” that could serve military needs while remaining compatible with the Leica-style 35mm rangefinder system [1].

Civilian Version

The camera was not completed before the end of the war. After the military contract changed, Premier released a civilian Kardon version in 1947. Pacific Rim Camera notes that the camera struggled commercially because cheaper Japanese Leica copies became available, and it estimates that fewer than 2,000 civilian Kardons were built [2].

For LeicaLensList, 1947 is the safest release year for the civilian Kardon Rangefinder. Earlier dates such as 1945 may refer to development samples or military-context dating rather than regular market release.

Military PH-629/UF Version

The military version was known internally as PH-629/UF. It was modified for cold-weather and field use, with changes such as a larger advance knob, taller shutter release, eyepiece extensions, a slow-speed dial handle, satin chrome finish and a rear Signal Corps plate [1].

Mike Eckman states that 1,654 military Kardons were ordered and delivered, while Pacific Rim gives a similar figure of about 1,650, plus an additional overrun sold publicly [1][2]. These military examples should be treated as an important variant of the Kardon Rangefinder, not as a different basic camera system.

Relationship to Leica IIIa

The Kardon should not be entered as a Leica camera. It is a Leica-compatible American rangefinder produced by Premier Instrument, visually and mechanically inspired by the Leica IIIa. CollectiBlend describes the military Kardon as a Leica IIIa copy with a large advance knob and tall release button [3].

Make and Naming

For LeicaLensList, the clean display structure can be Make: Kardon and Name: Rangefinder. The historical manufacturer should be described as Premier Instrument Corporation in the long description and source notes. This keeps ad matching simple while preserving the correct production history.

Seller listings may use names such as Kardon Rangefinder, Kardon Camera, Kardon Civilian, Kardon PH-629/UF, Premier Instrument Kardon or Kardon Leica Copy. These should all link to the same base camera entry, with civilian or military status stored as variant metadata.

Collector Notes

The Kardon Rangefinder is rare and highly collectible because it is one of the few serious American Leica-compatible rangefinder cameras. It combines LTM compatibility, a 1/1000 second cloth shutter, separate rangefinder and viewfinder windows, and a Kodak Ektar lens connection.

Collectors should check whether the camera is a civilian or military version. Military examples often have the rear Signal Corps plate, enlarged advance knob, tall shutter release, satin chrome finish and cold-weather control changes. Civilian examples usually have a more conventional appearance and visible serial/model markings.

Because the Kardon was produced in small numbers and many examples have mixed civilian and military features, serial-number matching should be handled carefully. LeicaLensList should avoid publishing a precise serial-number range unless supported by a stronger dedicated Kardon source.

For LeicaLensList, the Kardon Rangefinder should be stored as a separate LTM camera entry. It belongs in the database because it is a Leica-compatible M39 rangefinder and an important American branch of the Leica-copy ecosystem.

Sources

• [1] Mike Eckman. Premier Instrument Kardon, 1947. https://mikeeckman.com/2021/07/premier-instrument-kardon-1947/
• [2] Pacific Rim Camera. Premier Instrument, Kardon. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/premier.htm
• [3] CollectiBlend. Premier Instruments: Kardon, Military. https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Premier-Instruments/Kardon-%28Military%29.html
• [4] Flints Auctions. A Premier Instruments Military Kardon Rangefinder Camera. https://www.flintsauctions.com/auction/lot/lot-227---a-premier-instruments-military-kardon-rangefinder-camera/