Debrie Parvo G
The Debrie Parvo G is a French-made 35mm cine camera, part of the Parvo series of compact wooden-bodied motion picture cameras introduced in the early twentieth century for professional cinematography. It was positioned as a portable hand-cranked camera for studio and location film production.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Parvo G have sat in a wide £1,600–£5,000 range, with a midpoint near £3,300 reflecting how few examples reach the saleroom. As of 2026 the value is driven heavily by completeness — original wooden case, magazines and crank — and only two recorded results make any single figure for what one sells for today indicative rather than firm.
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: March 2018
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35914) Title: Debrie Parvo G „Leni Riefenstahl“
Description:
this 35mm movie camera formerly belonged to Otto Wlk, an Austrian engineer who started as a cameraman for Ufa and later became the technical director of the “Wien-Film” film production company. In his Ufa years Wlk also worked at the 1936 Olympic games and covered the sport events for Leni Riefenstahl’s famous Olympia documentaries "Fest der Völker" and „Fest der Schönheit“ with his camera. Although both films set new standards in terms of cinematography, they are considered to be masterworks of Nazi propaganda and are still restricted for public screening in Germany and Austria. The camera on offer has never been restored and is in the original used condition. It comes “ready to shoot” with an optical view finder, a hand crank, two matte boxes, electric vario-speed motor, 2 x 60m magazines and a set of lenses: Zeiss Tessar 6.3/18cm no.808004, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/10cm no.429997, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/7.5cm no.540418, Zeiss Tessar 2.7/4cm no.903220, Zeiss Triotar 3.5/3.5cm no.641558, E.Krauss Tessar 4.5/2.8cm no.149625. The camera runs smoothly when hand cranked, the electric motor is not tested. Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 2,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33888) Title: Debrie Parvo G „Leni Riefenstahl“
Description:
this 35mm movie camera formerly belonged to Otto Wlk, an Austrian engineer who started as a cameraman for Ufa and later became the technical director of the “Wien-Film” film production company. In his Ufa years Wlk also worked at the 1936 Olympic games and covered the sport events for Leni Riefenstahl’s famous Olympia documentaries "Fest der Völker" and „Fest der Schönheit“ with his camera. Although both films set new standards in terms of cinematography, they are considered to be masterworks of Nazi propaganda and are still restricted for public screening in Germany and Austria. The camera on offer has never been restored and is in the original used condition. It comes “ready to shoot” with an optical view finder, a hand crank, two matte boxes, electric vario-speed motor, 2 x 60m magazines and a set of lenses: Zeiss Tessar 6.3/18cm no.808004, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/10cm no.429997, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/7.5cm no.540418, Zeiss Tessar 2.7/4cm no.903220, Zeiss Triotar 3.5/3.5cm no.641558, E.Krauss Tessar 4.5/2.8cm no.149625. The camera runs smoothly when hand cranked, the electric motor is not tested. Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11701) Title: Debrie Parvo G „Leni Riefenstahl“
Description:
this 35mm movie camera formerly belonged to Otto Wlk, an Austrian engineer who started as a cameraman for Ufa and later became the technical director of the “Wien-Film” film production company. In his Ufa years Wlk also worked at the 1936 Olympic games and covered the sport events for Leni Riefenstahl’s famous Olympia documentaries "Fest der Völker" and „Fest der Schönheit“ with his camera. Although both films set new standards in terms of cinematography, they are considered to be masterworks of Nazi propaganda and are still restricted for public screening in Germany and Austria. The camera on offer has never been restored and is in the original used condition. It comes “ready to shoot” with an optical view finder, a hand crank, two matte boxes, electric vario-speed motor, 2 x 60m magazines and a set of lenses: Zeiss Tessar 6.3/18cm, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/10cm, Zeiss Tessar 3.5/7,5cm, Zeiss Tessar 2.5/4cm, Zeiss Triotar 3.5/3.5cm, E.Krauss Tessar 4.5/2,8cm. The camera runs smoothly when hand cranked, the electric motor is not tested. Estimate: EUR 9,000 - EUR 11,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Debrie Parvo G worth today?
Based on two UK auction hammer results, a Parvo G has sold for between £1,600 and £5,000, so its value sits somewhere in that band depending on completeness and condition.
How much does a Debrie Parvo G sell for at auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices are £1,600 and £5,000, giving a very small sample but indicating the price a Parvo G sells for is typically in the low thousands of pounds.
What affects the price of a Debrie Parvo G?
Condition of the wooden body, working order of the hand-crank movement, and the presence of original magazines and case are the main factors that move the price up or down.