Leica to Auction 120 Famous Photos, Including One Expected to Sell for Nearly $300,000 https://petapixel.com/2025/10/01/leica-to-auction-120-famous-photos-including-one-expected-to-sell-for-nearly-300000/ #leitzphotographicaauction #leica100thanniversary #Culture #auction #history #Analog #leicaI #leica #News
#leitzphotographicaauction
Pope Francis’ Leica M-A Set to be Auctioned for Charity https://petapixel.com/2025/09/09/pope-francis-leica-m-a-set-to-be-auctioned-for-charity/ #leitzphotographicaauction #leitzphotographica #popefrancis #auction #leica #News #pope
Leica 0-Series Prototype Camera Sells for $8.5 Million https://petapixel.com/2025/06/30/leica-0-series-prototype-camera-sells-for-8-5-million/ #leitzphotographicaauction #100yearsofleica #leicaprototype #leica0series #Equipment #Culture #auction #leicam3 #Analog #leicaI #leicam #leica #News
Historic Leica 0-Series Prototype Expected to Sell for Over $2 Million https://petapixel.com/2025/06/17/historic-leica-0-series-prototype-expected-to-sell-for-over-2-million/ #leitzphotographicaauction #leica0series #luxurycamera #rarecamera #Equipment #Culture #auction #history #Analog #leicaI #leica #leitz #News
Soviet Spy Cameras Disguised as Briefcases For Sale at Leica Auction https://petapixel.com/2025/05/16/soviet-spy-cameras-disguised-as-briefcases-for-sale-at-leica-auction/ #leitzphotographicaauction #leitzphotographica #russianspycamera #sovietunion #coldwarera #russianspy #spycamera #coldwar #leica #News #kgb
Leica 0-Series Prototype Camera Expected to Fetch Millions at Auction https://petapixel.com/2025/03/05/leica-0-series-prototype-camera-expected-to-fetch-millions-at-auction/ #leitzphotographicaauction #leica0series #oskarbarnack #worldrecord #Equipment #expensive #Culture #auction #history #Analog #leicaI #leica #News
Rare Prototype Leica M Expected to Sell for Over $750,000 at Auction https://petapixel.com/2024/11/04/rare-prototype-leica-m-expected-to-sell-for-over-750000-at-auction/ #leitzphotographicaauction #rarecamera #Equipment #Spotlight #prototype #history #Analog #leicam #leica #leitz #News #rare
Iconic Nan Golden Photo Sells for $71K at Leitz Photographica Auction https://petapixel.com/2024/10/31/iconic-nan-golden-photo-sells-for-71k-at-leitz-photographica-auction/ #leitzphotographicaauction #photograph #nangoldin #auction #prints #leica #leitz #News #sale
Ultra-Rare Leica MP2 Black Paint Camera Sells For Nearly $1.7 Million https://petapixel.com/2024/06/11/ultra-rare-leica-mp2-black-paint-camera-sells-for-nearly-1-7-million/ #leitzphotographicaauction #rarecamera #Equipment #rarelens #Culture #auction #history #Analog #leica #leitz #News
Super-Rare Leica Rifle Camera Expected to Sell for $280,000 https://petapixel.com/2024/05/06/super-rare-leica-rifle-camera-expected-to-sell-for-280000/ #leitzphotographicaauction #riflecamera #leicarifle #Equipment #auction #leica #News
A Look at the Rarest, Most Expensive Cameras to be Sold in 2022
#features #news #20thanniversary #auction #charity #collection #collectors #film #leica #leitz #leitzphotographicaauction #oskarbarnack #rare #sale #vintage
Rare 0-Series Leica From 1923 Estimated to Fetch $3.2 Million at Auction
#equipment #news #1923 #auctio #expensive #historic #history #leica #leicahistory #leitz #leitzcamera #leitzphotographicaauction #oskarbarnack #photohistory #rare
1957 Leica MP Camera Sells for a Staggering $1.34 Million at Auction
The 39th Leitz Photographica Auction recently concluded and a rare 1957 Leica MP Black Paint edition camera went for the highest value by far, commanding a final price of 1,200,000 Euros (about $1,344,366).
The Leica MP is one of only 412 ever produced, making it one of the rarest Leica models of all time. The Leitz Photographic auction says that this version was acquired mainly by professional photographers and that many of the most famous Magnum photographers of the time used Leica MP cameras.
"Today it is among the most sought-after Leicas of all," the auction writes. "The idea which led to the production of the MP model came from several well-known American press photographers, who wanted to make use of the advantages of the Leicavit (available at that time for IIIf only) on their Leica M cameras as well. It was mainly the suggestion of Alfred Eisenstaedt and David Douglas Duncan which aroused the interest of Dr. Ludwig Leitz, who was the director of the development and construction department in 1955."
The specific Leica MP that was offered at auction this past week was listed as in "beautiful" condition, with only a few minimal signs of use. Leitz Photographica specifically notes that it is one of the best examples of this particular camera model its experts had ever seen and was originally delivered for sale to Leitz London on July 24, 1957.
"The Leica MP is one of the most important Leica cameras made and probably the one that started the trend of black paint M cameras being used by professionals and loved by collectors nowadays," Leitz Photographica says.
The Leitz MP was estimated to be valued at between 300,000 and 3500,000 Euros (about $336,091 and $392,106) before the auction, started bidding at 150,000 Euros (about $168,045), but after what must have been a serious and spirited bidding session, the final hammer price saw the value balloon to an enormous 1,200,000 Euros (about $1,344,366).
This final value greatly eclipses the other highest selling items, including a Contax Rifle camera that sold for 120,000 Euros (about $134,436), a Prototype Summarit lens that sold for 264,000 Euros (about $295,760), and a Leica M3 that sold for 264,000 Euros (about $295,760).
The top seven items from the auction are listed on the Leitz Photographica Auction's website and a full list of all items and their final sale values can be found in a detailed PDF document.
#equipment #news #1957 #auction #leica #leicacamera #leicamp #leicampblackpaint #leitzphotographica #leitzphotographicaauction #rare
This Rare Contax ‘Rifle’ Camera is Valued at More Than $80,000
Ahead of the 39th Leitz Photographica Auction that is scheduled to take place on November 20, the organization has published a full catalog of all items that are scheduled to appear, with particular attention paid to a few rare and unusual items.
While the full catalog contains 24 pages of cameras and lenses, the Leitz Photographica Auction has called particular attention to seven items that it thinks are of note, including a 1957 Leica MP valued at between $350,000 and $400,000, a prototype 50mm f/1.4 valued between about $140,000 and $163,000, and a Contax "rifle" developed for a sports photographer in 1936 valued at between about $70,000 and $81,000.
Leica MP Black Paint No.55
The Leitz Photographica Auction says that this Leica MP is one of only 412 ever produced, making it one of the rarest leica models of all time. The organization says that the black-paint version was acquired mainly by professional photographers and that many of the famous Magnum photographers used MP cameras.
"Today it is among the most sought-after Leicas of all," the Leitz Photographica Auction writes. "The Leica MP is one of the most important Leica cameras made and probably the one that started the trend of black paint M cameras being used by professionals and loved by collectors nowadays."
Leitz Photographica says that this particular sample is in beautiful conditions with only minimal signs of use and it is expected to draw between $350,000 and $400,000.
Summarit M 1/4 / 5CM First One Prototype No.A
Leitz Photographica describes this lens as a "sensational new discovery" and an important part of Leica's history. The lens features a serial number of "A" which denotes it as a prototype. It shares some of the characteristics of early Summarit 50mm f/1.4 prototypes but has a few other unique features that separate it, such as an "unusual" focus tab and reversed knurling on the focus ring. It is believed to be the first 50mm f/1.4 from Leica with a Leica M bayonet.
Leitz Photographica says it is in almost perfect condition and it is expected to draw between about $140,000 and $163,000.
Contax Rifle 543/75 Outfit
Not even the auction house has much information on this one, but the Contax Rifle -- also known as the Zeiss Ikon rifle 543/75 -- was apparently developed 80 years ago for the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany by sports photographer Lothar Rübelt and is considered to be one of the rarest accessories for the Contax. It contains what the auction house calls a very rare, directly mounted Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 chrome lens along with a cable release and a matching viewfinder. It is described as being in "good" condition.
The Contax Rifle is valued at between about $70,000 and $81,000.
The remaining highlighted items can be viewed at the Leitz Photographica Auction website, and a full catalog of all items being offered in November can be perused through an interactive catalog.
Image credits: All photos via the Leitz Photographica Auction.
#equipment #news #contax #expensive #leica #leitzphotographica #leitzphotographicaauction #rare #rarecamera #riflecam #riflecamera #unusual
Someone Bought a Leica for $24,000 in 2019 and Sold for $480,000 in 2021
Talk about the ultimate camera flip: it has come to light that some savvy camera collector (or investor) won a rare Leica camera at auction in 2019 for $24,000 before turning around two years later and re-selling it at auction for a staggering $480,000.
Leica Rumors reports that one of its readers (who wishes not to be named) won the black-painted Leica IIIg camera at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in April 2019 for a final price of £17,500 (~$24,000).
"Produced from 1957-1960, the Leica IIIg was the last screw-mount model produced," the auction listing's description stated. "Most were produced in chrome, but 125 black versions were produced for the Swedish army. Other than these, which are all engraved with three crowns, the Leica IIIg being offered for sale here is the only other black paint version known to exist and predates the Swedish versions."
The camera came with a letter of authentication from Leica itself (which stated the camera was "produced by a Leitz technician as a final test project"), a black Leicavit base plate with integral rapid winder, a Leitz Summarit 50mm f/1.5 lens, a Summarit lens hood, a Leitz Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 black lens, and an embossed brown leather hard case.
A photo from the original Dominic Winter Auctioneers listing showing the camera, two lenses, and proof of authentication from Leica. Photo: Dominic Winter Auctioneers. The 2019 auction listing showing the sale price of £17,500.
Two years later, the new owner put the same camera (serial number 909908) up for sale at the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction in Vienna in June 2021.
Although the pre-sale estimate pegged the value at €24,000 to €26,000 (~$28,000 to $30,500), the camera somehow ended up selling with a hammer price (including buyer's premium) of €408,000 (~$479,200).
The 2021 auction showing the sale price of €408,000. Photo: Leitz Photographica Auction.
In other words, the anonymous person behind this unbelievable "flip" enjoyed a nearly 1,900% return on investment in two short years.
As one commenter at Leica Rumors puts it: "Buy a camera for the price of used car; sell it for the price of a new house."
Hopefully the previous owner isn't kicking themselves too hard for not holding out for a higher price…
Image credits: Header photograph via Dominic Winter Auctioneers
#culture #equipment #news #auction #camera #cameracollecting #dominicwinterauctioneers #investing #leica #leicaiiig #leitzphotographicaauction #rare #sold
‘Top Secret’ 1943 Russian FotoSniper Prototype Sells for $170,000
Leitz Photographica Auction
The 38th Leitz Photographica Auction recently concluded and several cameras and lenses went from significant sums. Among them was a Leica IIIg and Elmarit 90mm f/2.8, a Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/0.7, and an unusual Russian Marine Rifle prototype camera that was once classified as "top secret."
Supposedly created in 1943 and developed for the Soviet Baltic Fleet Navy, the FS-3 FotoSniper was designed for long=range reconnaissance missions and was equipped with a 600mm f/4.5 lens.
Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica Auction
According to Leitz Photographica, the project was listed as "top secret" and even now, the only vintage documentation the auction house could find for the lens is a copy of a photograph that shows a marine officer testing it.
Leitz Photographica Auction
According to the listing, no comparable camera is known to exist and it may be the only example ever made. Its rarity did not go unnoticed, as the original estimate considered its value between €60,000 and €70,000 (about $71,230 to $83,100), but it sold for well more than double its maximum estimation at €144,000, or about $170,900.
Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica Auction
Despite that high price, the FotoSniper was not the most expensive piece of camera equipment to sell. Above it were three Leica Cameras -- headlined by the Leica IIIg black paint outfit with an Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 -- and a Carl Ziess Planar 50mm f/0.7 lens that was originally made for NASA.
The Leica IIIg is described as a "famous" and "beautiful" camera body that has a unique black-painted Summarit 50mm f/1.5 lens along with an equally black-painted Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 lens. The camera and two optics are described as very rare, as it is the only black IIIg model besides examples that were ordered by the Swedish Army in 1959. According to some sources, Leitz Photographica says that this particular model of the camera was made by a Leitz technician as a final test before the Swedish Army version was issued.
Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica Auction
The camera had an estimated high value of €26,000 (about $30,900) but smashed that expectation when it was finally sold for €408,000, or about $484,400. It was the most any item from this particular auction sold for, and was so by over $170,000.
Also of note a Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/0.7 lens, which the auction house describes as the “most famous lens produced by Zeiss.” The Planar 50mm f/0.7 was designed to photograph the moon’s far side during the NASA lunar missions. The Leitz Photographica Auction says that it was incredibly fast -- about two stops faster than the available lenses of the time. More information about the lens and its history can be read in PetaPixel's previous coverage here.
Leitz Photographica Auction
The lens was slated to begin auction at about €100,000 (about $119,00) and was expected to draw as much as €120,000 (about $142,500), which was a rather notable increase in value versus its original estimated price range of $67,000 to $146,000 when the lens was first reported as becoming available. It broke that estimation handily when it sold for a final price of €180,000, or $213,700.
Leitz Photographica Auction
All 469 lots of the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction results can be perused here.
#equipment #news #auction #camerarifle #fotosniper #leica #leitzphotographica #leitzphotographicaauction #prototype #prototypecamera #prototypelens #rare #rarecamera #valuable
Rare Zeiss 50mm f/0.7 Lens Made for NASA To Fetch Up To $146,000
Leitz Photographica Auction
On June 12, the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction is set to offer a large assortment of rare and highly collectible camera products, the most notable of which is a rare Zeiss Planar 50mm f/0.7 lens designed in 1966 for NASA Apollo missions.
Described as the "most famous lens produced by Zeiss," the Planar 50mm f/0.7 was designed to photograph the moon's far side during the NASA lunar missions. The Leitz Photographica Auction says that it was incredibly fast, about two stops faster than the available lenses of the time.
In 1975, Stanley Kubrick used three of these lenses to film Barry Lyndon, a period drama based on the 1844 novel The Luck of Bary Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray. According to the auction listing, this lens's unique properties allowed Kubrick to film some of the most iconic visuals known in cinematography.
Leitz Photographica Auction Leitz Photographica Auction
Some scenes were lit only by candlelight and shot with the lens on a modified Michell camera. Its fast aperture allowed Kubrick to shoot in exceedingly low light conditions. The film won the 1976 Oscar for cinematography.
This particular lens is listed as in "beautiful condition" and with "clean optics." It is mounted on a modified Nikon F body and includes a removable tripod mount. The lens is slated to begin auction at about $67,000 and is expected to draw as much as $146,000.
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Only 10 of these lenses were ever produced. Six of them were supplied to NASA and three of them to Kubrick, which left only one in the Carl Zeiss factory museum. In an interview with Insider, Andreas Schweiger of Leitz Photographica Auction believes that most likely this is one of the lenses that was supplied to NASA.
The full 38th Leitz Photographica Auction catalog can be viewed here, and one camera that is conspicuously absent despite considerable publicity earlier this year is the Leica prototype designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The camera was expected to draw over $200,000 at auction, but according to Schweiger, the seller decided last minute to pull the camera.
No details on why the camera's seller decided to pull the item from the auction were provided.
#equipment #news #50mm #apollomissions #auction #leitz #leitzphotographicaauction #nasa #nikonf #rarelens #stanleykubrick #zeiss #zeissplanar50mmf07
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