Bentzin Primarette (Makro Plasmat f2.7)
The Bentzin Primarette is a German-made folding roll-film camera dating from the early 1930s. This particular configuration is fitted with a Makro Plasmat f/2.7 lens, an uncommon high-speed optic that puts the camera into the collector tier rather than the general user market.
With only a single documented UK auction result to reference, the Primarette in this Makro Plasmat f/2.7 configuration sells for around £4,500 at hammer (a 2018 saleroom result), and as of 2026 there is no broader public price spread to quote. Value is driven almost entirely by the rare lens: a standard-lens Primarette is worth a fraction of what this variant achieves, so condition of the optic and matching serial numbers are the decisive factors in today's market.
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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02187) Title: Bentzin Primarette with Makro Plasmat 2.7/7.5cm
Description:
Rare twin-lens folding camera (not a reflex camera!) for 8 exposures 4x6.5cm on 127 film, separate bellows for taking and viewing lens, early version with front shutter release, in good condition, with sought-after Makro Plasmat 2.7/7.5cm no.581504 mounted in Compur shutter, good optics, note the automatic parallax correction, with rare original leather case. |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 4,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35814) Title: Bentzin Primarette with Makro Plasmat 2.7/7.5cm
Description:
rare twin-lens folding camera (not a reflex camera!) for 8 exposures 4x6.5cm on 127 film, separate bellows for taking and viewing lens, early version with front shutter release and no ground glass magnifier, with sought-after Makro Plasmat 2.7/7.5cm no.581903 (clean optics) Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bentzin Primarette with Makro Plasmat f/2.7 worth?
On the only verified UK auction record, an example sold for £4,500 at hammer in 2018; with just one data point, that figure is indicative rather than a reliable market median.
How much does a Bentzin Primarette sell for at auction?
The Makro Plasmat f/2.7 version has a recorded hammer price of £4,500, but standard-lens Primarettes trade for considerably less — the lens, not the body, sets the price.
Why is the Makro Plasmat version so much more valuable?
The Makro Plasmat f/2.7 is a scarce high-speed lens sought after by collectors, so a Primarette fitted with one is priced as a lens-plus-body package rather than as a general-purpose folding camera.