Kodak Retina IIIc (021 I)
The Kodak Retina IIIc (type 021) is a folding 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Kodak AG in Stuttgart during the mid-1950s. It features a coupled rangefinder, an uncoupled selenium meter, and interchangeable front lens elements mounted in a leaf shutter. When new it sat at the top of Kodak's German-built Retina line, positioned above the meterless IIc.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Retina IIIc (021) have ranged from about £56 to £240, with a median around £100 across 2024–2025 sales. As of today the market is condition-sensitive: clean, working examples with a responsive meter and clear rangefinder sell for more, while examples with haze, fungus or a dead selenium cell sell for the lower end of that range. A standout 2025 result of £239 shows what a tidy outfit is worth to collectors, while scruffier bodies sell for well under £100 at saleroom level.
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
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Aug 2026 | USD 199 | £149 | 🇺🇸 eBay | |
Title: Kodak Retina IIIC Rangefinder Xenon 50mm f2 From JAPAN
Description:
I always show as best I can any flaws, markings, etc in the pictures and/or describe what you need to know here. Location: Richland, Washington, United States |
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| Aug 2026 | USD 347 | £260 | 🇺🇸 eBay | |
Title: [Near MINT] Kodak Retina IIIC Big C Rangefinder Film Camera 50mm F2 From JAPAN
Description:
Near MINT Condition! It is clean and clear. Visibility is in good condition. tiny scuffs from normal use. Weekends are not available because office is closed. There is no fog. ■ Condition Beautiful condition. Location: Nishinomiyashi, HYOGO, Japan |
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| Jul 2026 | USD 395 | £295 | 🇺🇸 eBay | |
Title: MINT Kodak Retina IIIC BIG C with 50mm Schinder f:2.0 lens FULLY SERVICED
Description:
Viewfinder is clean & supper bright. Focusing ring is smooth. Location: San Jose, California, United States |
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| Jul 2026 | USD 350 | £262 | 🇺🇸 eBay | |
Title: [MINT] Kodak Retina IIIC BigC 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera 50mm f2 From JAPAN
Description:
By weight and shape of each product, I use 13 kind of cushioning materials and pursue safety and weight reduction. There is no dirt. Weekends are not available because office is closed. There is no balsam separation. Location: MATSUBARA, OSAKA, Japan |
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| Jul 2026 | £38 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 277) Title: A Kodak Retina IIIc Rangefinder Camera
Description:
body G, opens and closes correctly, exposure meter responds, RF patch visible and moving, shutter works, with case. |
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| Jun 2026 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Kodak Retina IIIc 35mm Rangefinder Camera W/ 50mm 2.8 Xenon And Lens Hood
Description:
Lovely condition Kodak IIIc. Comes with Hood and Leather Case. All works beautifully, operates well and smoothly, all shutter speeds sound right to my ear. Lens has some dust but nothing to affect image quality. Offers welcomed. Accessories listed on my page. Location: Barnsley, United Kingdom |
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| May 2026 | £294 | £294 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Vintage Camera Kodak Retina IIIc Fab Condition Working Order Nr Mint
Description:
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Camera Kodak Retina IIIc Fab Condition Working Order Nr Mint at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products! Location: Hereford, United Kingdom |
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| Sep 2025 | £120 | £120 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 484) Title: A Kodak Retina IIIc Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Kodak Retina IIIc Rangefinder Camera, shutter working, light cell responsive, rangefinder working, body G, with Schneider Kreuznach 50mm f/2 lens, |
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| Aug 2025 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 54) Title: A Kodak Retina IIIC 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
silver, body G, shutter not working, camera winds & fires but leaf blades stay closed, lens optics G-VG, rangefinder patch is bright & very clear, (Qty: 1) |
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| Mar 2025 | £239 | £190 | 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 435) Title: Kodak Retina IIIc & IIIC CRF Cameras.
Description:
Kodak Retina IIIc & IIIC CRF Cameras. Comprising Kodak Retina IIIC (Big C) with 50mm f2 Heligon and a 80mm f4 Heligon in keeper. Also a Kodak Retina ... read more |
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| Jun 2024 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 185) Title: Two Kodak Retina IIIc Cameras
Description:
Two Kodak Retina IIIc Cameras, a type 021 1, shutter working, light cell responsive, body G, with Schneider Kreuznack 50mm f/2 Xenon lens, G, a type |
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| Jan 2024 | £56 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 152) Title: A Kodak Retina IIIc (21-1) Folding 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1954-57, serial no.676377, with a Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon C f/2 50mm lens, serial no.4923320, shutter sticking at slowest speeds, |
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| May 2009 | EUR 160 | £142 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18758) Title: Kodak Retina IIIc outfit
Description:
IIIc type 021 with Xenon C 2/50mm no.4482394 in good working condition, ever-ready case, hood in maker's box, special case for standard lens in maker's box, plastic accessory case in maker's box, close-up rangefinder in maker's box, three close-up lenses in maker's boxes, 6 filters in maker's boxes, instructions, brochures Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 320 | £266 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_18038) Title: Kodak Retina IIIc outfit
Description:
Type 021 in good working order with Xenon C 2/50mm no.4368980, Curtar-Xenon C 5.6/35mm no.3944193, Longar-Xenon C 4/80mm no.6928655, 35+80mm finder, caps, hoods, close-up lenses, close-up rangefinder, yellow filter, papers - all in fitted outfit case Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| May 1998 | £57 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 209) Title: Retina IIIc no. 586116
Description:
Retina IIIc no. 586116 Estimate: £20 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Kodak Retina IIIc (021) worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit in the £56–£240 range, with a median close to £100 for a typical working example.
How much does a Retina IIIc sell for in clean condition?
A clean, fully functional IIIc with a responsive meter and clear rangefinder has sold for around £240 at UK auction in 2025, while average examples change hands closer to £80–£120.
What affects the price of a Retina IIIc?
The biggest value drivers are a working selenium meter, clean optics, a light-tight bellows and a serviced shutter; the presence of matched accessory front lens elements and the original case also lifts the price.
Is the Retina IIIc the same as the Retina IIIC?
No — the small-c IIIc (type 021) has a smaller viewfinder than the later big-C IIIC, and the two models trade at different price points, so it is worth confirming which variant you are buying.