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Concava Tessina 35

The Concava Tessina 35 is a Swiss subminiature camera that uses 35mm film loaded into proprietary cassettes, producing small rectangular negatives in a twin-lens reflex layout. Made by Concava SA in Lugano, it was introduced in the late 1950s and positioned as an ultra-compact camera small enough to be worn concealed or on a wrist strap.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Tessina 35 have typically sat between roughly £180 and £610, with a median close to £320 across the sales on file. A clean example made £605 at saleroom level in 2025, while an exceptional cased outfit once reached £2,800 in 2005, so condition, completeness of accessories and presentation drive a wide spread in today's market. These are UK auction hammer results — wholesale levels rather than retail asking prices — so dealer and specialist prices for comparable examples tend to sit higher.

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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: November 2025

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £325 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £300 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £605 Chiswick Auctions
Mar 2025 £400 Flints Auctions
Jan 2022 £124 Flints Auctions
May 2020 £270 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £180 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £240 Flints Auctions
Mar 2018 EUR 320 Leitz Auction
Jun 2007 £312 Christie's
Feb 2006 £420 Christie's
May 2005 EUR 2,800 Leitz Auction
May 2005 £384 Christie's
May 2004 £382 Christie's
Mar 2004 £286 Christie's
Nov 2003 £528 Christie's
Nov 2003 £176 Christie's
Sep 2003 £235 Christie's
Mar 2001 £470 Christie's
Aug 2000 £411 Christie's
Jul 1998 £253 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Concava Tessina 35 worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Tessina 35 is typically worth between about £180 and £610, with a median price near £320; exceptional cased sets have sold for considerably more.

How much does a Tessina 35 sell for at auction?

Most examples sell for a few hundred pounds at UK auction, and a good chrome body with cassettes and accessories sold for £605 in 2025.

Why do some Tessina 35 prices look so high?

Complete outfits with original case, chain, spare cassettes and meter or prism accessories command a clear premium, which is why one well-presented example reached £2,800 at auction in 2005.

Does the Tessina 35 use standard 35mm film?

It uses standard 35mm film, but the film must be loaded into the camera's own proprietary cassettes, so the price and value of a Tessina 35 is closely tied to whether usable cassettes are included.

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