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Canon VI-L

The Canon VI-L is a 39mm screw-mount rangefinder camera produced by Canon in the late 1950s. The L designation refers to the lever-wind variant of the VI series, positioned as a professional 35mm rangefinder during Canon's final screw-mount generation before the move to the Canon 7.

At UK auction in recent years, hammer prices for the Canon VI-L Chrome have ranged from around £69 to £160, with a median near £100 — wholesale saleroom levels that exclude buyer's and seller's commission. As of today in 2026 the model sells for modest money relative to its professional origins, and what a VI-L is worth on any given day is heavily tied to cosmetic condition and whether the rangefinder remains accurate. Prices in this bracket reflect body-only lots; clean working examples sit at the upper end of the range.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
black — — 3 £1,645 – £3,600
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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: June 2025

Date Price Source Variant
Jun 2025 EUR 3,600 Leitz Auction black
Oct 2023 £160 Special Auction Services —
Oct 2023 £100 Special Auction Services —
Oct 2023 £160 Special Auction Services —
Feb 2022 £69 Flints Auctions —
Nov 2021 £434 Flints Auctions —
Mar 2014 EUR 2,600 Leitz Auction black
Jun 2001 £1,645 Christie's black
Jan 1998 £368 Christie's —

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon VI-L Chrome worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £69 and £160, with a typical body-only value around £100 depending on condition and rangefinder accuracy.

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

Chrome bodies have sold for £69 to £160 at UK auction, with the price driven largely by cosmetic condition and whether the shutter and rangefinder are functioning correctly.

Is the Canon VI-L the same as the VI-T?

No — the VI-L uses a conventional lever wind, while the VI-T uses a trigger wind mounted on the baseplate; both share the same 39mm screw mount and core rangefinder design.

What lenses fit the Canon VI-L?

The VI-L takes Canon 39mm screw-mount rangefinder lenses, which are compatible with Leica Thread Mount (LTM) optics of the same era.

Other Canon cameras