Leitz Photographica Auction 48

Rare reportage camera sells for 600,000 euros, 1938 Leica exceeds estimate tenfold 

Wetzlar, 15th June 2026. Leica cameras from the 1950s ranked among the most coveted highlights of Leitz Photographica Auction 48, held on 13th June at World of Leica in Wetzlar. On June 13, at Leica Welt in Wetzlar, the Leica MP-33 (produced in 1957) was auctioned for 600,000 euros including premium, while the Leica Ig Prototype No. 750000 (ca. 1955) achieved 540,000 euros including premium. The biggest surprises of the morning included a Leica IIIb black paint from 1938, which sold for 312,000 euros including premium — nearly ten times its estimated value — as well as the Leica MP 10323 ‘Meister Edition Berlin’ Outfit from 2017. Estimated at 26,000 to 30,000 euros, the comparatively young model ultimately sold for 132,000 euros including premium. The charity lot, the Leica MP10-P Safari prototype (2018), raised 16,000 euros for a good cause.

“We are delighted to see — and also take it as confirmation of the intensive work carried out over recent years — that enthusiasm for historic cameras and historic camera accessories remains as strong as ever,” says Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leitz Photographica Auction. According to Sedlak, rarities and special editions are also increasingly in demand among more recent models. While rare cameras that appeal as both collectors’ items and potential investment pieces can already be acquired at auction for four-figure euro sums, it is still the cameras in the five- and six-figure range that generate the greatest attention. Leading the highlights of the Leitz Photographica Auction 48 was the Leica MP-33.

Rarity in black paint

With only 402 units – just 141 of them in black paint – ever produced, the “M Professional” (MP) ranks among the rarest Leica cameras ever made. The concept originated from requests by prominent American press photographers such as Alfred Eisenstaedt and David Douglas Duncan who sought to combine their M-series cameras with the advantages of the Leicavit rapid winder, then available only for the Leica IIIf. The example sold at Leitz Photographica Auction 48, MP no. 33, was originally delivered to Brandt, Sweden, on 29 July 1957 and was accompanied by a matching black paint Leicavit and a black paint / brass-mount Summicron 2/5cm lens no. 1474885. The Leica MP-33 was auctioned for 600,000 euros including premium.

Experimental prototype with special serial number

Representing a fascinating stage in the evolution of the screw-mount Leica line during the early 1950s, the Leica Ig prototype no.750000 holds a fascinating place in the history of photography. Produced circa 1953, this unique experimental camera features a completely distinctive top plate design, combining stylistic and construction elements of the Leica Ic, If and Ig models into a single transitional configuration. The pronounced raised flash platform — unlike the standard flat-top production Ig – gives the camera its characteristic appearance. Its special, round serial number 750000, makes the camera particularly interesting for collectors, which already became evident in the pre-auction bidding stage. The prototype was sold for 540,000 euros including premium.

Leica IIIb black paint

The Leica IIIb was produced between 1938 and 1941 and is normally encountered in chrome finish. It is documented at the Leica Archives that only five examples, serial numbers 295301–295305, were produced in black paint and supplied to New York on 3 September 1938 under the codename “LUDOO schwarz.” The camera was offered with a Leitz Summar 2/5cm lens, serial no.496615, and a special black leather case, featuring the correct small 1/4" tripod screw as supplied for this rare camera. The Leica IIIb Black Paint ultimately achieved 312,000 euros and thus almost ten times its estimate of 32,000 to 36,000 euros.

Popular combination of rare and recent

The fact that cameras produced within the past ten years can also generate strong demand was demonstrated, among others, by the Leica M6 Black Paint ‘Leitz Auction’ Set and the Leica M Edition 70. Part of a limited edition of 20 and priced at 25,980 euros in the year of its release (2023), the set now achieved a final auction price of 48,000 euros including premium. The Leica M Edition 70 (2024) also recorded a notable increase in value: with a result of 36,000 euros including premium, it significantly exceeded its original retail price of 22,500 euros. The Leica MP 10323 ‘Meister Edition Berlin’ Outfit proved even more coveted. Issued in 2017 to commemorate 10 years of Leica Store Berlin in a special edition of only 10 cameras, the outfit had already significantly exceeded its estimate of 26,000 to 30,000 euros during pre-bids and ultimately sold for 132,000 euros including premium.

Charity Lot for “Licht ins Dunkel”

A prototype of the Leica M10-P Safari was auctioned for charity. The prototype differs significantly from the final production model by its much brighter green finish instead of the darker, more subdued tone chosen for the commercial release. The camera is engraved under the base plate with the prototype marking P08/08, and represents a rare insight into the development process of one of Leica’s most popular modern special editions. The camera was provided by the auction house and sold without premium. The total proceeds of 16,000 euros will go to the charitable organization “Licht ins Dunkel”.

Live on site, in written form, online or by telephone

In autumn, Leitz Photographica Auction will host two additional sales. On 9th October, the photographs auction “Perspectives” will take place at Leica Galerie Vienna, followed by the Leitz Photographica Auction 49 on 28th November, once again at Leica Welt in Wetzlar.

As usual, bids can be submitted in advance online (www.leitz-auction.com), in written form, or by telephone. Live bidding during the auction will be available via www.leitz-auction.com and www.liveauctioneers.com.

About Leica Camera Classics

The German Leica Camera AG has two branches in Vienna: Leica Camera Austria and Leica Camera Classics. The latter specializes in vintage cameras and has approximately 1,500 devices on display in its store at Westbahnstraße 40. The location also houses the largest spare parts warehouse for historic Leica cameras in the world. Because of this unique inventory, on-site technicians can inspect historic Leica cameras to the highest collector standards and restore them as needed before they are auctioned.
Twice a year – in mid-June and late November – Leica Camera Classics organizes the Leitz Photographica Auction, the world's most important auction of vintage cameras, attracting bidders from over 100 countries. In addition, around 5,000 products are permanently offered in the LCC online store.

About Leica Camera

Leica Camera AG is an international, premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics. As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its portfolio to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality spectacle lenses and watches, and is also represented in the home cinema segment with its own projectors.
Leica Camera AG, having its headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, operates a global network of its own distribution companies with around 120 Leica Stores worldwide.
The Leica brand stands for excellence in quality, German craftsmanship and industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. An integral aspect of the brand culture is the promotion of the culture of photography, with around 30 Leica Galleries worldwide, the Leica Akademie and international awards such as the Leica Hall of Fame Award and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).

Leica Camera India (FCE Lifestyles Pvt Ltd)

FCE Lifestyles Pvt Ltd is the official partner with Leica Camera for its operations in India, with a registered office at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Leica Camera Asia Pacific appointed FCE as the exclusive Leica authorized distributor for India and operates the only Leica Stores in India, located in Mumbai and New Delhi.