Leitz 50mm f/3.5 Elmar
The Leitz 50mm f/3.5 Elmar is the original standard lens for Leica screw-mount (LTM / L39) rangefinders, a compact collapsible design that defined the Leica look from the late 1920s through the 1950s. Because this listing covers unspecified variants, prices can span everyday user copies through to the very earliest and most collectible examples.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for typical user-grade 50mm Elmars have landed between roughly £75 and £700, with a median around £330 across the last two decades of saleroom results. Rare early or collectible variants sit far above that everyday band — examples have fetched £8,000 in 2020 and as much as £32,000 in 2025 — so in today's market the value of a given copy depends heavily on version, finish and condition rather than the 'Elmar 50/3.5' name alone.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTM | — | — | 5 | £88 – £214 |
| M | — | — | 2 | £88 – £130 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | £1,071 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 239)
Description:
Serial no: 1133607 Shutter: working Lens: Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar (1147285) Optics: G - light internal dust Notes: complete with rapid rewind crank |
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| Jan 2026 | £88 | Flints Auctions | LTM | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 4) Title: A Leica Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible Lens
Description:
L39 / Leica screw mount, serial no. 432440, body VG, aperture mechanism works correctly, focus throw medium-heavy, lens optics F, some internal haze (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2025 | £130 | Special Auction Services | M | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 478) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens, L39 mount, serial no 1939, barrel G, some paint wear to bezel, light scratches to barrel, elements G, in Leitz |
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| Oct 2025 | £239 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 175) Title: Collapsible Leitz 5cm f3.5 Elmar M Lens.
Description:
#1147543. Signs of normal use, optics OK with light to moderate cleaning marks. With caps. |
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| Jun 2025 | EUR 32,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01787) Title: Elmar 3.5/5cm prototype
Description:
A very interesting early prototype of the M-mount Elmar 3.5/5cm. This unnumbered lens features an entirely different construction from the production version. The shape of the focusing mount is similar to that of the famous dual-lever Summicron 5cm prototypes, and the bayonet design also differs in many details from the later series version. The lens is in beautiful condition with good optics. It comes with expertise from Mr. Ottmar Michaely. Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| May 2025 | £80 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 498) Title: A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Lens
Description:
A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Lens, L39 mount, serial no 432123, 1938, barrel G, some light scratches to barrel, elements G, with front cap |
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| Mar 2025 | £214 | Chiswick Auctions | LTM | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 203) Title: A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible LTM Elmar Lens
Description:
A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible LTM Elmar Lens Serial No: NA Barrel: VG Optics: VG - typical internal haze Notes: with rear cap and Russian lens hard (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Feb 2025 | £75 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 268) Title: Leitz Elmar 5cm 1:3.5 lens, serial number 543055, circa 1940, with rear cap, three filters, lens
Description:
Leitz Elmar 5cm 1:3.5 lens, serial number 543055, circa 1940, with rear cap, three filters, lens |
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| Oct 2024 | £162 | Flints Auctions | LTM | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 7) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Elmar f/3.5 50mm Collapsible Lens
Description:
chrome, body G, optics F-G, moderate haze |
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| May 2024 | £238 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 35) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm Lens
Description:
pre-1932, nickel, no serial number, body, VG, elements, VG, complete with maker's lens caps |
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| Apr 2024 | £120 | Special Auction Services | LTM | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 549) Title: A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible Lens
Description:
A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible Lens, L39 mount, red scale, distance in feet, serial no 1242824, 1955, barrel G, light scratches to barrel, |
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| Nov 2023 | £400 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 25) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm Lens
Description:
1933, nickel, serial no. 163476, body, VG, elements, VG, some internal haze, complete with maker's caps |
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| Nov 2023 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 16) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm Camera Lens
Description:
nickel, serial no. 172853, body G-VG, optics G, some cleaning marks & haze present, (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2023 | £120 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 138) Title: A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens
Description:
A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens, L39 mount, serial no 478870, 1938, barrel G, some light scratches to barrel, elements G, in maker's bible base |
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| Aug 2023 | £170 | Special Auction Services | LTM | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 71) Title: A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Red Scale L39 Mount Lens
Description:
A Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 Red Scale L39 Mount Lens, serial no 1010917, 1952, barrel G-VG, elements G, light fungus spots, with front cap, in maker's |
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| Apr 2023 | £140 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 468) Title: A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens
Description:
A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens, red scale Elmar, serial no 1065528, 1953, barrel G, light wear, elements G, light fungus, with front and rear caps |
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| Apr 2023 | £140 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 467) Title: A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens
Description:
A Leitz 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lens, serial no 893860, 1951, barrel G, light wear, elements G, some light spotting, with lens cap, in bottom half of maker's |
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| Apr 2023 | £80 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 559) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible Elmar M Lens
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar 5cm f/3.5 Collapsible Elmar M Lens, serial no 1333853, 1956, barrel G-VG, elements F, fungus, with Elmar 5cm hood, in maker's bubble |
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| Mar 2023 | £88 | Flints Auctions | M | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 15) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 5cm Camera Lens
Description:
chrome, serial no. 435548, body G-VG, optics G, some cleaning marks to rear element, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2022 | £250 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 13) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm Lens
Description:
1947, chrome, serial no. 639053, body, VG, elements, VG-E Note: Lot imported under Temporary Admission. 5% UK import VAT will be charged on the |
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| Jun 2022 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 40 (Lot AI_40_40483) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm dummy
Description:
very interesting and rare unfinished Elmar nickel used as a dummy, only one lens has been mounted in front, without aperture iris, in mint condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 8,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38824) Title: Elmar 3.5/5cm Red Scale prototype
Description:
A unique prototype of a Red Scale Elmar with a distinctive aperture control, in beautiful, near mint condition, very good optics Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38879) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm in Compur Shutter
Description:
Rare Elmar in Compur shutter, factory converted in coupled M39 screw mount, in very fine condition, rare original yellow filter 3, rear cap, special Leitz leather case, yellow filter - ex Bawendi collection Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2018 | £156 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1018) Title: A Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm Lens
Description:
pre 1932, nickel, serial no. 74973, body, G-VG, slight ding to rim, elements, G, cleaning marks to front element, with maker's caps |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 850 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33440) Title: Beier Beira Okula Elmar
Description:
24x36mm, very rare camera with coupled rangefinder (Jena RF prism - Jenaer Einstellfernrohr Okula), Leitz Elmar 3.5/5cm no.109278 in Compur-Rapid, in very good original condition - in total only 130 cameras were equipped with the Leitz Elmar lens Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32451) Title: Standard black
Description:
in beautiful original condition, with nickel Elmar 3.5/50mm no.183727 Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10709) Title: Ig
Description:
in near mint condition with un-numbered red scale Elmar 3.5/5cm (cap) Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 650 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10889) Title: I Mod. A Elmar
Description:
6th version (lit. Von Einem "Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica I A mit Elmar 1:3.5 F=50mm") in fine good condition and good working order, Elmar with depth of field scale and winding knob 8.5mm (upgraded c.1930) Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 240 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_12010) Title: Elmar 3,5/50mm 'Close Focus'
Description:
close-focus lens for I Mod.A Elmar, scale to 1.5 feet Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 190 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11108) Title: Elmar 3,5/50mm Nickel
Description:
nickel Elmar for Leica I Mod.A in good condition, meter scale Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 400 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11024) Title: I Mod.A Elmar 'Close-Focus'
Description:
uncommon export version with close-focus Elmar 3.5/50mm, some parts repainted, cap, FOFER rangefinder, matching early everready case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19671) Title: II Mod.D chrome
Description:
in very fine condition with chrome Elmar 3.5/5cm no.358957 Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 3,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20301) Title: I Mod.A Elmar 'Close-focus'
Description:
very nice, clean, rare and very early export version with close-focus Elmar 3.5/50mm, all features original (feathered arrows on knobs, mushroom release button, early leather and base plate), rare unmarked lens cap, special leather case ETRUX first version, FODIS rangefinder in Feet (engraved: Germany, with leather case), ABLON nickel template, red maker's box with gold imprinting 'Leitz Leica' and stamped 'GERMANY' in circle on base - a very unusual outfit especially in this condition, see also von Einem: 'Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica I A mit Elmar 1:3.5 F=50mm' Estimate: EUR 2,600 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 320 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16435) Title: Elmar 3.5/5cm
Description:
coated Elmar without serial number, NOOKY close-up attachment, FISON hood in maker's box (3) Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 360 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16436) Title: Elmar 3.5/5cm
Description:
late red scale Elmar in near mint condition, cap Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 350 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 340 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16394) Title: Standard chrome
Description:
in perfect working condition with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.261591, clean finder Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 220 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26337) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm Nickel
Description:
very early 11' Elmar for I Mod.C, clean lenses Estimate: EUR 350 - EUR 400 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 330 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_26006) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm Nickel
Description:
a very clean 7° nickel Elmar (mtr), clean lenses Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 350 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 330 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25181) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm nickel
Description:
coupled 11°° Elmar 50mm, for Leica IC, very early version in good condition Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 360 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25280) Title: Elmar 3.5/5cm
Description:
very early lens for M3 in mint condition, in meter, both caps Estimate: EUR 350 - EUR 450 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 250 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_21983) Title: Elmar 3.5/50mm nickel
Description:
coupled, 7°° Elmar 50mm, for Leica III, brown bakelite box Estimate: EUR 1,932 - EUR 152,735 |
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| Jun 2001 | £293 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 201) Title: Elmar f/3.5 5cm. no. 1088409
Description:
Elmar f/3.5 5cm. no. 1088409 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Jul 2000 | £82 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 30) Title: Elmar f/3.5 50mm. un-numbered
Description:
Elmar f/3.5 50mm. un-numbered Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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