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Kodak 7 Inch f/2.5 Aero Ektar

The Kodak 7 Inch f/2.5 Aero Ektar is a large-aperture aerial lens originally produced for US military reconnaissance cameras during the 1940s. It covers 4x5 inch format and has developed a following among large format photographers who adapt it to press cameras for its shallow depth of field and distinctive out-of-focus rendering.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 7 Inch f/2.5 Aero Ektar have spanned roughly £190 to £450, with a median result near £300 — these are wholesale saleroom figures rather than dealer retail. As of today in 2026, the value of a given example is highly condition-sensitive, with haze-free glass, smooth iris action, and intact cell threads separating lenses that sell for around £200 from those that price toward the upper end of the range.

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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.

Date Price Source
Oct 2024 £454 Chiswick Auctions
Jan 2023 £225 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Oct 2017 £312 Flints Auctions
Nov 2011 EUR 190 Leitz Auction

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