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Leica CL (2017)

The Leitz CL is a compact 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1973, developed jointly by Leitz and Minolta and sometimes referred to as the 'Compact Leica'. It uses the Leica M bayonet mount and was positioned as a smaller, lighter, more affordable entry to the M system, aimed at travellers and second-body users rather than professional reportage shooters.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Leitz CL have ranged from roughly £110 to £760, with a median around £600 for clean, working bodies. As of 2026, condition drives nearly everything: cosmetically tidy examples with a responsive meter and accurate rangefinder sit at the upper end of that range, while bodies with cosmetic wear or a dead meter sell for value prices well under £200. These are saleroom hammer results, not dealer retail, so what the CL is worth in private sale or shop windows tends to run noticeably higher.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
Cut-Away — — 0 —
Dummy — — 0 —
Dummy (w/hand) — — 0 —
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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 Variant
Aug 2026 £1,097 £1,097 🇬🇧 eBay —
Aug 2026 £1,017 £1,017 🇬🇧 eBay —
Aug 2026 EUR 650 £555 🇪🇺 eBay —
Jun 2026 EUR 1,000 £864 🇪🇺 eBay —
Jun 2025 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
May 2025 £400 £400 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services —
Mar 2025 £756 £600 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions —
Jan 2025 £605 £480 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions —
Apr 2023 £650 £650 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services —
Nov 2016 EUR 450 £391 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2013 EUR 500 £425 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2005 EUR 530 £360 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Dec 2003 £305 £260 🇬🇧 Christie's —
Nov 2003 EUR 469 £325 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2003 £352 £300 🇬🇧 Christie's —
Sep 2003 £493 £420 🇬🇧 Christie's —
Sep 2003 £470 £400 🇬🇧 Christie's —
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Frequently asked questions

What is a Leitz CL worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices put the value of a Leitz CL body at roughly £110 to £760, with most working examples selling for around £400 to £650 depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

How much does a Leitz CL sell for at auction?

Clean, fully functional bodies typically sell for £600 or more at UK auction, while rough or non-working examples can sell for around £100 to £200.

Is the Leitz CL the same as the Leica CL?

Yes — the camera is marked 'Leitz' on earlier bodies and 'Leica' on later ones, but it is the same model, co-produced with Minolta and using the Leica M mount.

Does the meter still work on most examples?

A significant proportion of CL bodies on the used market have degraded or dead meters, which is the single biggest factor separating a £150 price from a £650 price, so always confirm meter response before buying.

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