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Canon 28mm f/3.5

The Canon 28mm f/3.5 is a wide-angle rangefinder lens in Leica Thread Mount (L39), part of Canon's post-war screw-mount line built for Leica-compatible rangefinder bodies. It predates the FD bayonet system and was intended as a moderately wide reportage and landscape optic for 35mm film rangefinders.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for this lens have clustered tightly, with a sale at £260 in 2023 and an earlier result of £240 in 2008 — giving a median around £250 at saleroom level. As of 2026, that is broadly what a clean, working copy sells for at auction, though retail dealer asking prices typically sit above these wholesale figures. Condition, clarity of glass and the presence of the correct finder or caps are the main factors that move the price within this narrow band.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
FD — — 8 £25 – £52
FL — — 3 £30 – £95
Serenar — — 6 £130 – £1,769
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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: August 2026

Date Price Value GBP Source Variant
Aug 2026 £40 £40 🇬🇧 eBay FD
Aug 2026 USD 70 £52 🇺🇸 eBay FD
Aug 2026 USD 40 £30 🇺🇸 eBay FD
Aug 2026 £25 £20 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jul 2026 £59 £59 🇬🇧 eBay FL
Jul 2026 £37 £37 🇬🇧 eBay FD
Jul 2026 USD 40 £30 🇺🇸 eBay FD
Jul 2026 USD 55 £41 🇺🇸 eBay FD
Jul 2026 USD 60 £45 🇺🇸 eBay FD
Oct 2023 £25 £25 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services FD
Oct 2023 £30 £30 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services FL
Oct 2023 £260 £260 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services —
Oct 2023 £170 £170 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services Serenar
Oct 2023 £220 £220 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services Serenar
Oct 2023 £150 £150 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services Serenar
Jan 2022 £118 £95 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions FL
May 2009 EUR 2,000 £1,769 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction Serenar
Nov 2008 EUR 240 £199 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction Serenar
Nov 2008 EUR 240 £199 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2005 EUR 17,325 £11,769 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2004 £155 £130 🇬🇧 Christie's Serenar
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Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon 28mm f/3.5 L39 worth today?

On the basis of UK auction hammer results, a clean example is worth roughly £240 to £260, with a median near £250. Retail prices from dealers are typically higher than these wholesale saleroom figures.

How much does a Canon 28mm f/3.5 sell for at auction?

Recorded UK auction sales show the lens selling for £260 in 2023 and £240 in 2008, so the typical hammer price sits in the mid-£200s.

What mount does this Canon 28mm f/3.5 use?

It is an L39 screw-mount (Leica Thread Mount) lens, so it fits Leica-compatible rangefinder bodies and adapts to mirrorless cameras via an L39 adapter.

What should I check before buying one?

Look for fungus, haze, coating marks, oil on the aperture blades and stiff focus, as these are the most common issues on Canon rangefinder glass of this era and the main factors that reduce the price.

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