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 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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | EUR 5,000 | £4,400 | 🇦🇹 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 | £3,973 | 🇦🇹 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.