Leitz Photographica Auction

Name: Leitz Photographica Auction
Address: Westbahnstraße 40, Wien, 1070, AT
Telephone: +4315235659
Price range: ££££

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österreich
Wien
Leitz Photographica Auction

Leitz Photographica Auction is the official auction house of Leica Camera AG It is the second-highest price ever paid for a camera!

CAMERA-AUCTIONS

Leitz Photographica Auction has established itself as the biggest auction house for cameras in the world and has some record-breaking results to show: in the 22nd Camera Auction in November 2012 the legendary M3D owned by the LIFE photographer and Picasso intimate David Douglas Duncan was sold for price of 1,680,000 Euro (opening bid: 150,000 Euros) and became the most expensive c

amera from a serial production ever. The gold-plated ‘Luxus’ Leica, dated 1929 sold for 1,020,000 Euro (opening bid: 70,000 Euro), was the second most expensive camera of the auction. The very first serial-production M3 (1953, serial number 700001), formerly owned by Willi Stein, chief engineer of Leitz, was sold at a top price of 900,000 Euro (opening bid: 80,000 Euro)

These three cameras are therefore the most expensive cameras from serial production, ever sold. The 0 series Leica sold for 2,160,000 Euro at the 21st Leitz Camera auction in May 2012 was a prototype. We are continuing our efforts to search for the most beautiful and rare pieces for you. Our international network of dealers and collectors enables us to offer you the most interesting and sought after pieces of camera history. More than 18.000 lots were sold to aficionados and collectors in the past 36 Camera Auctions. We are always accepting unique high-quality pieces or complete collections for our next auctions. Here you can find further information on the consignment of lots.

07/06/2026

With just one week remaining until bidding closes in Leitz ON, there is still time to discover lots such as this Leica IIf red scale with Elmar 3.5/5cm.

The camera is a relatively late example and remains in very good cosmetic condition, showing only a few dents on the top plate, while the shutter requires attention. The matching Elmar 3.5/5cm lens, delivered together with the camera to Frankfurt in 1955, shows light haze in the optics.
The lot also includes a chrome FISON hood, yellow filter, front lens cap, German instructions, leather eveready case, quality control tag, and the camera’s original maker’s box.

🔗 Explore the full catalogue via the link in bio.

06/06/2026

Among the rarest versions of the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 1.9/50mm is this exceptionally early pre-series example in Leica screw mount.
The lens bears the hand-engraved marking “V1” on the underside of the mount ring, with “V” standing for Versuch (research), a designation used by Meyer-Optik Görlitz for early development and pre-series production. It also differs from the standard production version through the absence of the two aperture adjustment pins, resulting in a particularly clean appearance.
The lens is preserved in very good condition and shows exceptionally clean optics, which is a remarkable feature for a Primoplan of this age.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

04/06/2026

The charity lot of our upcoming camera auction gives a rare look behind the scenes of Leica’s development process: an original Leica M10-P Safari prototype.

Unlike the final production version, this camera features a much brighter green finish, revealing an earlier stage in the evolution of one of Leica’s most popular modern special editions. The prototype is engraved with P08/08 beneath the base plate, and is preserved in beautiful, almost mint condition.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

03/06/2026

This Leica Ic “Betriebskamera” brings together several rare experimental components in one set. The camera is engraved “Betriebskamera” on the top plate and is preserved in very good condition. It is offered with a prototype Super-Angulon 4/21mm no. 127-0003, an exceptionally early lens distinguished by its non-standard engraving style from the initial development phase.

Also included is a prototype 21mm viewfinder with integrated bubble level, a non-standard finder that was never part of regular production, as well as a specially modified IWKOO hood with additional slots for gelatin filters.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

02/06/2026

Among the highlights of our upcoming camera auction is this very early Leica M3, which shows the distinctive corner at the front of the top plate, a detail found only on the earliest examples of the model.

The camera retains numerous original early-production features, including the first casting type (Guss number 455), long strap lugs, early viewfinder, early back door, and the absence of the later “L” seal. It is offered together with a matching early collapsible Summicron 2/5cm no. 1116588 with Thorium glass elements.
Both camera and lens were delivered to Manca, New York, on March 12, 1954. Preserved in very good condition, the set remains a remarkable example from the earliest phase of Leica M3 production.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

01/06/2026

This original black paint Leica M2, offered in our upcoming camera auction, shows the attractive, even patina that only decades of professional use can create. The black lacquer finish displays natural brassing on the edges and high points, which gives the camera the characteristic appearance so highly valued by collectors.

What makes this example particularly special is its provenance. It was originally delivered to Manca, New York, on October 8, 1965, and was the personal camera of American photographer Dwight Dolliver. Both the camera and the accompanying New York Leica Motor are engraved with his name, providing a direct and documented link to its original owner.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

31/05/2026

Bidding is underway on Leitz ON, our online-only auction featuring over 200 exceptional lots, offered in addition to our camera and photographs auctions.

From everyday cameras and sought-after accessories to photographs spanning a century of history, there is still time to explore the catalogue and place your bids online, in three simple steps until June 14th.

30/05/2026

One of the rarest modern Leica lenses, offered in our upcoming camera auction, is this Noctilux-M 0.95/50mm Titanium Prototype.

It was produced as the second of only two known prototypes for the titanium edition, limited to 100 units, and therefore bears the special engraving P2/2, identifying it as the second prototype. The lens is preserved in unused condition and is offered complete with both titanium caps, front lens cap, leather pouch, presentation box, and maker’s box.

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

29/05/2026

Bidding is underway on Leitz ON, our online-only auction featuring over 200 lots, offered in addition to our regular camera and photographs auctions.

From everyday cameras and special accessories to photographs spanning a century of history, there is still time to explore the catalogue and place your bids online, in three simple steps until June 14th.

28/05/2026

“KRIEGSSCHATZ”, engraved across the back of this Leica M2 black paint, became one of the recurring motifs in the work of the well-known French conceptual artist Sarkis Zabunyan, who used the camera for many years.

Offered in our upcoming camera auction, the camera is paired with a brass-mount Summicron 2/50mm lens and accompanied by a signed copy of the sought-after art book Blackout Leica Museum (Berlin, 1976).

🔗 Full details available in the catalogue – link in bio.

Adresse

Westbahnstraße 40
Wien
1070

Telefon

+4315235659

Webseite

http://www.leitz-auction.com/

Benachrichtigungen

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