Kiev III (pre-series)
The Kiev III (pre-series) is a 35mm rangefinder camera built in Ukraine, derived from the Contax II design that came to Kiev after the Second World War. Pre-series examples sit at the very start of post-war production and were made in small numbers before the standard III went into wider manufacture.
With only a single recorded UK auction result to draw on, the available data point is a £6,000 hammer price from June 2022 — a wholesale saleroom figure that reflects the rarity of pre-series examples rather than what a standard Kiev III is worth today. On that evidence, a verified pre-series Kiev III sells for several thousand pounds at auction, but a single sale is not enough to define a reliable price range, and condition, completeness and provenance would heavily influence value.
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 2022
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2022 | EUR 6,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 40 (Lot AI_40_40382) Title: Kiev III 1948 pre-series
Description:
extremely rare early Kiev in very good condition, no.B61584 engraved on the chassis, with Contax back (matching no.B61584 engraving), note also the interesting modified rewind crank, with matching Sonnar-Krasnogorsk 2/5cm T no.001110 (good lenses). While a first relocation of the Contax production line from Zeiss Ikon Dresden to Kiev in 1945 was a failure, two other production lines made by Carl Zeiss Jena were probably relocated to Kiev successfully in 1947. It seems that the 'Kiev', as it was called now, was a mixture of „Jena“ and „Dresden“ shaped parts from the start, as it can be seen in this example. Some parts of this camera are shaped just like Dresden parts, (for example the focusing scales and the frame counter), while other important parts are shaped like „Jena“ parts. In later 1948 and 1949 the „Jena“ parts were gradually omitted during production in favour of „Dresden“ shaped parts. All in all this camera is an interesting document of the Kiev history in beautiful condition. According to some sources only two of these cameras are known - an unique opportunity for Zeiss and Kiev collectors! Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2019 | EUR 14,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37484) Title: Kiev III 1948 pre-series
Description:
extremely rare early Kiev in excellent original condition, with matching Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1.5/5cm T no.2724869. While a first relocation of the Contax production line from Zeiss Ikon Dresden to Kiev in 1945 was a failure, two other production lines made by Carl Zeiss Jena were probably relocated to Kiev successfully in 1947. It seems that the 'Kiev', as it was called now, was a mixture of „Jena“ and „Dresden“ shaped parts from the start, as it can be seen in this example. Some parts of this unnumbered camera are shaped just like Dresden parts, (for example the focusing scales and the frame counter), while other important parts are shaped like „Jena“ parts. In later 1948 and 1949 the „Jena“ parts were gradually omitted during production in favour of „Dresden“ shaped parts. All in all this camera is an interesting document of the Kiev history in beautiful pristine condition. According to some sources only two of these cameras are known - an unique opportunity for Zeiss and Kiev collectors! Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kiev III (pre-series) worth today?
Based on the one UK auction record available, a pre-series Kiev III achieved a £6,000 hammer price in 2022, but with only a single data point this should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market value in 2026.
How much does a Kiev III (pre-series) sell for at auction?
The only verified UK saleroom result on file is £6,000 at hammer, excluding buyer's premium; standard production Kiev III bodies sell for far less, so correct identification of the pre-series variant is essential to the price.
Why is the pre-series Kiev III more valuable than a standard Kiev III?
Pre-series examples were made in very small quantities at the beginning of post-war production in Kiev, which makes them scarce and of interest to collectors, whereas later Kiev III and IIIa bodies were produced in much higher numbers.