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Leitz 280mm f/4.8 Telyt

The Leitz 280mm f/4.8 Telyt is a long telephoto lens from the Leica Visoflex era, designed for use on rangefinder bodies via a mirror housing and also offered in screw and M-bayonet configurations. It was aimed at wildlife, sports and distant subject work where the standard rangefinder range of focal lengths ran out, and remains one of the more affordable routes into vintage Leitz telephoto glass today.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 280mm Telyt have mostly landed between £65 and £130, with a median around £100–£106 based on 2024–2025 results — these are saleroom wholesale figures, not dealer retail. Cleaner or boxed examples have pushed higher, with one 2020 result at £196 and an exceptional specialist Leitz sale reaching £1,300 in 2016, suggesting that condition, completeness and originality drive most of the price spread rather than the base optic itself. As of 2026, the lens still sells for modest money compared with Leitz's shorter, faster telephotos, which is part of its appeal as an entry point.

Variants

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
LTM — — 2 £100 – £250
M — — 0 —
Visoflex — — 2 £65 – £1,300
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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 Variant
Apr 2026 £94 Flints Auctions —
Apr 2025 £112 Flints Auctions —
Apr 2025 £100 Flints Auctions —
Apr 2025 £106 Flints Auctions —
Oct 2024 £100 Flints Auctions LTM
Oct 2024 £65 Harper Field Auctions Visoflex
Apr 2024 £130 Special Auction Services —
Feb 2024 £130 Special Auction Services —
May 2020 £196 Flints Auctions —
Apr 2018 £96 Flints Auctions —
Nov 2016 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction Visoflex
Nov 2016 EUR 1,800 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2008 EUR 310 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2005 EUR 250 Leitz Auction LTM
Jun 2003 £235 Christie's —
Nov -0001 £119 Flints Auctions —

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