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Leitz 90mm f/2.2 Thambar

The Leitz 90mm f/2.2 Thambar is a short-telephoto soft-focus portrait lens in Leica screw mount (LTM/M39), introduced by Leitz in the mid-1930s. It was designed specifically for flattering portraiture, using a removable centre-spot filter to exaggerate spherical aberration and produce the glowing, low-contrast rendering the lens is famous for. Production was short and numbers were small, which is why the Thambar remains one of the most collectible pre-war Leitz lenses.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 90mm f/2.2 Thambar have ranged from around £2,000 to £6,000, with a median close to £2,604 across the sales on record. A clean example fetched £5,000 in June 2025, while a standout copy sold for £6,000 at saleroom level in 2021, showing how much condition, completeness (particularly the original centre-spot filter and hood) and cosmetics affect what a Thambar sells for today. As of 2026, the lens is still worth well into four figures even in average condition, and exceptional examples continue to push the upper end of that price band.

Variants

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
LTM — — 4 £776 – £1,410
M — — 0 —
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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
Jun 2025 EUR 5,000 Leitz Auction —
May 2024 £2,250 Flints Auctions —
Jun 2023 EUR 2,000 Leitz Auction —
Jun 2021 EUR 6,000 Leitz Auction —
Jun 2019 EUR 1,600 Leitz Auction —
Apr 2019 £2,880 Flints Auctions —
Nov 2018 EUR 2,800 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2005 EUR 1,200 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2005 £1,320 Christie's LTM
Nov 2004 £896 Christie's LTM
Nov 2004 EUR 5,313 Leitz Auction —
Sep 2004 £776 Christie's LTM
Nov 2003 EUR 2,604 Leitz Auction —
Jun 2003 £1,410 Christie's LTM
Jun 1998 £2,185 Christie's —

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