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Leitz 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH

The Leitz 28-35-50mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH is a three-focal-length M-mount rangefinder lens, sometimes nicknamed the MATE, offering 28mm, 35mm and 50mm settings at a constant f/4 maximum aperture. Designed for Leica M bodies, it was aimed at travelling reportage and landscape photographers who wanted to cover the classic wide-to-normal range in a single compact lens rather than carry three primes.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Tri-Elmar-M ASPH have ranged from £900 in May 2024 up to £2,356 in April 2021, with earlier saleroom results of £1,200 in 2014 and £1,375 in 2004 sitting between those extremes. The median of the four recorded hammers is around £1,288, so as of 2026 a clean, fully working copy typically sells for mid-four-figure sums at auction, while tired or cosmetically marked examples are what pull the lower end down. Buyers should remember these are wholesale-level results and that condition, completeness of hood and caps, and which version (early 49mm filter vs. later 55mm filter) is on offer all influence what any individual lens is worth.

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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
Nov 2024 EUR 7,500 Leitz Auction
May 2024 £900 Flints Auctions
May 2024 £1,750 Flints Auctions
Nov 2022 £2,000 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £1,736 Flints Auctions
Apr 2021 £2,356 Flints Auctions
Nov 2020 £2,100 Flints Auctions
Mar 2014 EUR 1,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2013 EUR 10,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 EUR 1,375 Leitz Auction

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