CameraWorth.com

Canon L-3

The Canon L-3 is a 35mm rangefinder camera using the Leica thread mount (also known as Canon's screwmount rangefinder system). It sits within Canon's late-1950s rangefinder line, positioned below the top-tier L-models as a more accessible screwmount body.

At UK auction in recent years, hammer prices for the Canon L-3 have ranged from about £90 to £300, with only a small number of recorded sales to draw on. As of 2026 the value of any individual example is highly condition-dependent, and the thin sales record means a single clean body can sell for materially more than a worn one — buyers asking what an L-3 is worth today should treat the wholesale saleroom range as a guide rather than a firm price.

I have one to sell

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: October 2025

Date Price Source
Oct 2025 £90 Tennants Auctioneers
Jan 2024 £300 Flints Auctions
Oct 2023 £70 Special Auction Services
Feb 2022 £188 Flints Auctions
May 2009 EUR 600 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon L-3 worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £90 and £300, so a working example typically sells for a price in that range depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

How much does a Canon L-3 sell for at auction?

The two most recent UK saleroom results were £90 and £300, giving a wide spread that reflects how much condition drives the price on screwmount Canon bodies.

What lenses fit the Canon L-3?

The L-3 uses the Leica thread mount (M39 screw), so it accepts Canon's own screwmount rangefinder lenses as well as other LTM-compatible optics.

Other Canon cameras