Contax 139 Quartz
The Contax 139 Quartz is a 35mm film SLR introduced in the late 1970s as part of the Contax/Yashica line, positioned as a compact electronically controlled body using the C/Y bayonet mount and quartz-timed shutter.
UK auction hammer results for the 139 Quartz are limited, with a recorded sale at £50 in 2023 — a wholesale level achieved in the saleroom rather than a dealer retail figure. On the basis of the single data point available today, what a 139 Quartz is worth at auction sits in the modest two-figure range, though clean, fully working bodies with Zeiss glass attached can sell for more.
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
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| Aug 2026 | EUR 112 | £96 | 🇪🇺 eBay | |
Title: Contax 139 Quartz Vintage SLR Film Camera Working w/ Carl Zeiss 50mm F/1.7 Lens
Description:
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| Jul 2026 | £150 | £150 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera with Elicar Lens Used Condition
Description:
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera with Elicar Lens Used Condition at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products! Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom |
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| Jul 2026 | £116 | £116 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera Yashica 50mm f2 & winder
Description:
Mirror bumper looks fine but light seals look like they need replacing. Marks to bottom plate. Location: Market Harborough, United Kingdom |
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| Jul 2026 | £79 | £79 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Contax 139 Quartz 35mm Film Camera & Zeiss Planar T* f1.7/50 mm Lens Film Tested
Description:
Lens clear and moves/functions smoothly. All operations work;. Location: London, United Kingdom |
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| Jun 2026 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 154) Title: A Contax 139 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body G, elecrtronics power up, shutter works, with a Yashica ML f 2.8 28mm lens, |
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| Jan 2026 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 106) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body VG-E, powers up, shutter works, appears to be almost new, in maker's packaging. |
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| Sep 2025 | £56 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 192) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body G, light brassing, shutter works, meter responds, viewfinder clear, with a Yashica DSB f/2.8 28mm lens, barrel G optics F with haze. Note: |
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| Sep 2025 | £60 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 42) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera, advance lever jammed, meter responsive, body G, some lifting to leatherette on front, with Carl Zeiss T* 50mm f/1.7 |
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| Jul 2025 | £35 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 498) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body F, wear to leatherette, brassing to |
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| Oct 2024 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 83) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body VG, small dents to base plate, serial number 165339, shutter works, internal LED works, metering responds to light, with a Yashica ML f/1. |
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| Oct 2024 | £70 | £70 | 🇬🇧 David Duggleby | |
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Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3025) Title: Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR camera body serial no. 143176, with Carl Zeiss Planar 1,7/50 T...
Description:
Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR camera body serial no. 143176, with Carl Zeiss Planar 1,7/50 T... |
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| Jun 2024 | £162 | £130 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 270) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera Body in Manufacturers Packaging
Description:
body E, powers up and works, internal display is working, appears to be new and unused, in complete original packaging with guide book. |
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| Nov 2023 | £125 | £100 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 180) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no.124096, with a Carl Zeiss Planar T* f/1.7 50mm lens, shutter working, LEDs light up in viewfinder, body G-VG, lens G, very light |
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| Aug 2023 | £150 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 155) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working when batteries are inserted, together with motor-drive grip, working when batteries are inserted, also with a Carl (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2023 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 564) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera, shutter inconsistent, not working, meter responsive, scuffs and scratches to leatherette, with Carl Zeiss T* 50mm f/1. |
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| Jun 2023 | £50 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 494) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax 139 Quartz SLR Camera, shuuter working, occasionally slow to re-set, meter working, responsive in auto mode, body G, some scuffs/scratches |
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| Aug 2022 | £81 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 367) Title: A Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body P-VG, shutter working, LEDs light up, the exterior of the camera is well worn & leatherette has deteriorated, with Zeiss Planar f/1.7 (Qty: 1) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Contax 139 Quartz worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record available, a 139 Quartz body has sold for around £50 at hammer, though the sample size is very small and condition will move the price.
How much does a Contax 139 Quartz sell for at auction?
The one verified UK saleroom result on file shows a hammer price of £50; bodies bundled with a Zeiss lens typically sell for more.
Is the Contax 139 Quartz a good buy at this price?
At current values it is an inexpensive route into the C/Y system, but the price reflects the risk of electronic faults — budget for a possible service.