Asahi Pentax Asahiflex IIB
The Asahiflex IIB is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced by Asahi Optical in 1954. It uses a 37mm screw lens mount and waist-level reflex viewing, and sits among the earliest Japanese SLRs, predating the pentaprism-equipped Pentax line that followed later in the decade.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Asahiflex IIB have ranged from around £81 to £190 across recent saleroom results, with a median close to £150. In 2026, clean working examples continue to sell for roughly £100–£150 at auction level, and the model's value is tightly linked to cosmetic condition, shutter function and the presence of a period Takumar lens. Earlier high-water results in the region of £180–£190 indicate what exceptional examples are worth when they appear.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: June 2026
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| Jun 2026 | £112 | £90 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 187) Title: An Asahi Optical Asahiflex IIB 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, serial number 38516, body G, shutter works, evidence of oily residue on both curtains, viewfinder clear, with a Takumar f/3.5 50mm lens, |
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| Feb 2026 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 179) Title: An Asahiflex IIB 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 84218, body VG, shutter working, with an Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 50mm f/3.5 lens, optics G-VG, (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2025 | £100 | £100 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 120) Title: An Asahi Asahiflex II B SLR Camera
Description:
An Asahi Asahiflex II B SLR Camera, serial no 77578, shutter working, body G-VG, with slow shutter dial plate on front, Asahi Kogaku 50mm f/3.5 lens, |
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| Mar 2023 | £112 | £90 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 111) Title: An Asahi Asahiflex IIB SLR 35mm Film Cameras
Description:
1954-57, serial no.58026, with a Takumar f/3.5 50mm lens, shutter fires but often sticks at slower speeds, body G, lens F, haze with ever ready case |
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| Jan 2023 | £175 | £140 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 306) Title: An Asahi Asahiflex IIB Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 84213, with Asahi-Kogaku Takumar f/3.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 92448, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some very light |
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| Jun 2022 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 466) Title: An Asahi Opt. Co. Asahiflex IIb 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no.78382, late model with slow speed blank, body VG-E, shutter working, with Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 50mm f/3.5 lens, optics G-VG, some (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2022 | £81 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 464) Title: An Asahi Opt. Co. Asahiflex IIb 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no.62771, body VG, instant return mirror, vertical strap lugs, shutter working but curtains never change speed & mirror is stuck in (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 180 | £158 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35515) Title: Asahi Asahiflex IIB
Description:
the first SLR with quick-return mirror, with Takumar 3.5/50mm no.89247, in good condition with beautiful serial number, provenience: the former Pentax distributor in Finland, Fotolux oy Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 350 |
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| Feb 2005 | £192 | £160 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 119) Title: Asahiflex IIb no. 72630
Description:
Asahiflex IIb no. 72630 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Sep 2003 | £223 | £190 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 279) Title: Asahiflex IIb no. 63979
Description:
Asahiflex IIb no. 63979 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 250 | £178 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_21523) Title: Asahi Asahiflex IIB
Description:
with a Takumar f/2.4 58mm lens, very good condition Estimate: EUR 1,954 - EUR 62,739 |
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| Mar 2001 | £211 | £180 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 127) Title: Asahiflex IIB no. 82347
Description:
Asahiflex IIB no. 82347 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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| Nov 1999 | £345 | £300 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 395) Title: Asahiflex IIB no. 84053
Description:
Asahiflex IIB no. 84053 Estimate: £280 - £350 |
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| Nov -0001 | £150 | — | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 689) Title: An Asahi Optical Asahiflex IIb SLR 35mm Camera
Description:
chrome, 1954, serial no. 46255, with an Asahi-Kogaku Takumar f/3.5 50mm lens, shutter working, mirror return intermittent, body G, crack to Galilean |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Asahiflex IIB worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices place the Asahiflex IIB at roughly £100 to £150 for typical working examples, with clean or complete outfits occasionally reaching £180–£190.
How much does an Asahiflex IIB sell for at auction?
Recorded hammer results range from £81 at the low end to £192 at the high end, with a median price of about £150.
What affects the value of an Asahiflex IIB?
Shutter accuracy, mirror condition, cosmetic wear and the presence of a matching-period Takumar lens are the main factors determining the price an individual camera sells for.