Canon L1 'Navy'
The Canon L1 is a 35mm rangefinder camera with a Leica screw mount (M39) lens fitting, produced by Canon in the late 1950s. The 'Navy' designation refers to a small batch of L1 bodies supplied to military buyers, making it a scarce variant among Canon's screwmount rangefinder line.
Auction evidence for the Canon L1 'Navy' is extremely thin: the only recorded UK hammer result in our dataset is a single sale at £900 in 2008, so a meaningful current price band cannot be drawn today. As a wholesale saleroom figure that excludes buyer's and seller's commission, this one data point suggests the variant sells for a clear premium over a standard L1, but a fresh sale would be needed to confirm what one is worth in the current 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 2008
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2008 | EUR 900 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17954) Title: Canon L1 Navy
Description:
engraved with the symbol of Japanese Navy + No.1016, very rare military camera in original condition, Canon Lens 2.8/50mm no.38690 Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,900 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Canon L1 'Navy' worth today?
Auction data is very limited: one UK hammer sale is recorded at £900, so the price a clean example sells for today would need to be confirmed by a fresh saleroom result rather than extrapolated from a single figure.
Why does the 'Navy' version command a higher price than a standard L1?
The 'Navy' L1 was produced in small numbers for military supply, and that scarcity, combined with collector interest in marked military variants, lifts its value above an unmarked L1 body in comparable condition.
How much does a Canon L1 'Navy' sell for at auction?
The only verified UK auction hammer result in our records is £900, achieved in 2008; current realisations may differ and depend heavily on condition and the authenticity of the Navy marking.