Balda-werk Baldamatic III
The Balda-werk Baldamatic III is a 35mm film rangefinder camera produced by the West German maker Balda-werk during the 1960s. It sat at the upper end of Balda's fixed-lens rangefinder line, aimed at enthusiasts looking for a compact metered camera at a mid-market price when new.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Baldamatic III have sat in a narrow £25–£80 band, with a median around £53 based on the limited sales on record. As of 2026, this is a thinly traded model and what a Baldamatic III sells for today hinges heavily on cosmetic condition and whether the shutter and rangefinder are still working, since non-functional examples struggle to reach the upper end of that range.
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.
Prices updated: May 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| May 2025 | £80 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 95) Title: A Balda Baldamatic III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Balda Baldamatic III Rangefinder Camera, serial no 207619, shutter working, light cell responsive, rangefinder working, body G-VG, some slight |
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| Oct 2022 | £25 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 213) Title: A Balda Baldamatic III 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
chrome, body G, shutter stuck, rangefinder patch bright & clear, meter untested, with Schneider-Kreuznach Balda-Xenon f/1.9 50mm lens, optics G, some (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Balda Baldamatic III worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results place the value of a Baldamatic III between roughly £25 and £80, with clean, fully working examples achieving prices toward the top of that range.
How much does a Baldamatic III sell for at auction?
The recorded UK hammer prices sit around a £53 median, so most examples sell for somewhere in the £25–£80 bracket depending on condition and whether the meter still responds.
Is the Baldamatic III a good buy at this price?
At this price level it is a low-risk entry into 1960s German rangefinders, but buyers should budget for a service since shutter and meter faults are common and can eat into the modest value.