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Leitz 65mm f/3.5 Elmar

The Leitz 65mm f/3.5 Elmar is a short-telephoto Leica lens designed for use with the Visoflex reflex housing, offered in Leica screw-mount (LTM) and a dedicated Visoflex focusing-mount configuration. It was intended for close-focus, portrait and copy work where rangefinder coupling was impractical, and remains popular with users adapting vintage Leitz glass to modern bodies.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for clean examples have sat in the £80–£188 range, with a 2023–2025 median close to £115 — wholesale saleroom levels rather than dealer retail. Earlier hammer results between 2007 and 2017 were markedly higher at £400–£1,300, so today's market value for the 65mm Elmar has softened significantly compared with a decade ago. One 2022 Leitz auction lot sold for £10,000, an outlier that almost certainly reflects a special set or cased presentation rather than what a standard user-grade lens sells for today.

Variants

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
LTM — — 0 —
Visoflex — — 4 £400 – £10,000
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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 2025 £188 Flints Auctions —
Jun 2024 £119 Flints Auctions —
Aug 2023 £80 Special Auction Services —
Jun 2023 £112 Flints Auctions —
Jun 2022 EUR 10,000 Leitz Auction Visoflex
Nov 2021 EUR 300 Leitz Auction —
Jun 2017 EUR 550 Leitz Auction —
Dec 2009 EUR 400 Leitz Auction Visoflex
May 2009 EUR 650 Leitz Auction —
Jun 2008 EUR 550 Leitz Auction Visoflex
Nov 2007 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction Visoflex
May 2005 EUR 600 Leitz Auction —

Other Leitz lenses