Leitz 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario-Elmar-R
The Leitz 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario-Elmar-R is a variable-aperture standard zoom in Leica R bayonet mount, intended for the Leica R-series SLR bodies. It covers a wide-to-short-telephoto range suited to general reportage, travel and everyday shooting on the R system.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 28-70mm Vario-Elmar-R have settled well below historic peaks: the two most recent results sold for £150 and £250 in 2024-2025, giving a current median around £200. Older Leitz-specialist sales from 2006-2007 saw the same lens sell for as much as £700-£1,100, so today's saleroom value for a clean copy is a fraction of what it once fetched, and buyers entering the market in 2026 should treat the sub-£300 band as the realistic benchmark. Condition drives the spread — a lens showing haze or stiff zoom action will sit at the lower end of what it is worth.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | £125 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 9) Title: A Leica Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm Lens
Description:
black, barrel VG, optics G with light haze, with caps Note: A 5% import VAT applies to this lot for UK bidders only. International buyers are exempt |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2025 | £212 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 61) Title: A Leitz Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm 'Olympische Spiele '92' Lens
Description:
3-cam, black, serial no. 3583868, body, VG, elements, G-VG, some internal haze, complete with maker's caps Note: Special edition lens for the 1992 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Sep 2025 | £138 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 506) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Vario-Elmar-R 28-70mm Lens
Description:
black, barrel G-VG, optics G, with cap. Note: For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Apr 2025 | £250 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 331) Title: A Leica Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm Lens
Description:
black, serial number 3826330, barrel VG, optics VG, with caps, in maker's box. |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2024 | £160 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 380) Title: A Leica 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario Elmar-R E 60 Lens
Description:
A Leica 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Vario Elmar-R E 60 Lens, ROM lens, designed by Leica Camera MFO in Japan, barrel G, some fading to grips, elements VG, with |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2024 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 49) Title: A Leica Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm Lens
Description:
black, serial 1991, no.3545170, made in Japan, body G, optics G, fungus wisp, with caps and maker's box |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2007 | EUR 1,100 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20070) Title: R-E Olympia
Description:
set for Olympic games 1992 in Barcelona, special number L249 with edition Vario-Elmar-R 3.5-4.5/28-70mm no.3584653, unused in original maker's boxes with papers Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Nov 2006 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15032) Title: R-E Olympia Set 10810
Description:
edition for Olympic games 1992 in Barcelona, special number L268, Vario-Elmar-R 3.5-4.5/28-70mm Olympia 1992 no.3584672, cap, ever-ready case, all original maker's boxes, certificate Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,800 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||