Leitz Focotar Enlarging Lens
The Leitz Focotar is an enlarging lens made by Leitz for darkroom use, designed to project negatives onto photographic paper rather than for taking pictures on a camera. It was offered in several focal lengths over many decades to suit different negative formats, and is mounted in an enlarger via the standard Leitz threaded barrel.
With only a single recorded UK auction result, the Focotar's value at saleroom level is thinly documented: one example sold for £212 at hammer in August 2022, and that figure is the only firm price reference we have as of today in 2026. As a single data point it indicates roughly what a clean copy sells for in the auction market, but it is not a reliable median, and condition, focal length and the specific Focotar version will move the price either side of that figure.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50mm f/4.5 | — | — | 0 | — |
| 95mm f/4.5 | — | — | 0 | — |
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.
Prices updated: August 2022
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2022 | £212 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 764) Title: A Leitz V35 Photographic Enlarger
Description:
complete with colour filter set, carrier, & power lead, also with Leitz Focotar f/2.8 40mm lens, optics G, with slight haze, (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Feb 2022 | £19 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 542) Title: A Leica Focotar f/4.5 50mm Lens
Description:
DOOCQ, in maker's bubble |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
Frequently asked questions
What is a Leitz Focotar enlarging lens worth?
On the limited evidence available, one example sold for £212 at UK auction in 2022, so that figure is the only concrete guide to current value, with condition and focal length likely to shift the price in either direction.
How much does a Leitz Focotar sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK hammer price in our data is £212, achieved in August 2022; with only one sale on file this should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market price.
Is the Focotar a camera lens or an enlarging lens?
It is an enlarging lens, designed to be fitted to a darkroom enlarger to project negatives onto photographic paper, not to be mounted on a Leica camera body.
What should I check before buying a used Focotar?
Inspect the glass for fungus, haze, separation and coating scratches, confirm the aperture blades are clean and oil-free, and make sure the focusing or mounting threads turn smoothly and are undamaged.