Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 3.5/28mm
The Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 3.5/28mm is a wide-angle prime lens from the French maker Angenieux, built around the retrofocus design Pierre Angénieux pioneered in the 1950s to clear the mirror box of SLR cameras. With a 28mm focal length and an f/3.5 maximum aperture, it was aimed at reportage and general wide-angle work on 35mm SLRs of the period.
At UK auction the R11 28mm f/3.5 has a thin but consistent record, with hammer prices ranging from £130 to £200 and a midpoint around £165 between the two recorded sales — figures that reflect wholesale saleroom levels rather than dealer retail. As of 2026 a clean, working example tends to sell for the upper end of that band, while copies with cosmetic or optical faults are worth closer to the lower figure. Mount variant and overall condition are the main drivers of value, so the price a given example fetches can swing meaningfully on those points.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £625 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 191) Title: A P.Angenieux Alpa Retrofocus f/3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
Alpa mount, black, serial no. 1292469, body, VG, elements, VG, some light internal haze, complete with maker's box |
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| Oct 2025 | £130 | Tennants Auctioneers | |
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Auction: Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools (Lot 232) Title: P Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 f3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
no.789675 |
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| Dec 2024 | £188 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 286) Title: A P. Angenieux f/3.5 28mm Retrofocus Type R 11 Lens
Description:
black, serial number 482588, barrel VG, optics G with light haze to front element and light marks to rear element, with front cap. |
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| Jun 2022 | £250 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 98) Title: A P. Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 f/3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
Exakta mount, black/chrome, serial no. 464971, body, F-G, elements, G, some marks to the front element and some internal haze Note: Lot imported |
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| Feb 2022 | £325 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 594) Title: A P. Angenieux 'Alpa' Retrofocus f/3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
Alpa mount, chrome, serial no. 789976, body, VG, elements, G, some internal haze and very light internal fungus, complete with maker's caps |
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| Nov 2021 | £285 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 319) Title: A P. Angenieux Retrofocus R11 f/3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
Exakta mount, black, serial no. 429390, body, VG-E, elements, G-VG, some light internal haze and light internal marks, complete with maker's caps |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37648) Title: Angenieux f. Exakta Retrofocus Type R11 3.5/28mm
Description:
wide angle lens for Exakta, in beautiful, near mint condition, with clean optics, with rare original maker's box Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Oct 2019 | £312 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 287) Title: A P. Angenieux Type Retrofocus R11 f/3.5 28mm Lens
Description:
Rectaflex mount, black, serial no. 828227, body, VG-E, elements, G-VG, some internal haze, complete with makers cap and card tube. |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 200 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34486) Title: Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 3.5/28mm
Description:
in Exakta mount, in very good condition with good optics (only few cleaning marks), with original front cap Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33709) Title: Angenieux Retrofocus Type R11 3.5/28mm
Description:
in Alpa mount, early version in near mint condition (optics with slight cleaning marks on front element), front and rear cap Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 1,700 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_30078) Title: Angenieux 3.5/28mm Type R11
Description:
Retrofocus Angenieux for M39 screw mount, slightly hazy with some small cleaning marks Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,500 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 532 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22981) Title: Angenieux 28/3,5 Retrofocus chrome
Description:
Neuwertiges chrom 28mm Automatik-Objektiv mit Deckel Estimate: EUR 8,580,180 - EUR 4 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 354 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22980) Title: Angenieux 28/3,5 Retrofocus
Description:
Schwarzes 28mm Automatik-Objektiv mit Deckel, Lederköcher Estimate: EUR 12,924,950 - EUR 4 |
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| Jun 2003 | £940 | Christie's | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 129) Title: Type R11 Retrofocus 28mm. f/3.5 no. 374167
Description:
Type R11 Retrofocus 28mm. f/3.5 no. 374167 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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