Leitz Ig
The Leitz Ig is a 35mm screw-mount (LTM) camera introduced in 1957 as a stripped-down sibling to the IIIg, supplied without built-in rangefinder or viewfinder. It was aimed at scientific, reproduction and microscope applications, where focusing was handled by a copy stand, microscope adapter or Visoflex reflex housing rather than through the camera body.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Leitz Ig have ranged from around £280 to £1,900, with a median of roughly £500 across the sales on file. Condition and completeness drive the spread: in today's market a clean, working body with original accessory finder tends to sell for the higher figures, while worn or incomplete examples make up the lower end. These are saleroom results — the price at which the camera actually sells, not dealer retail — so retail asking prices for comparable examples are typically higher.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24x24 prototype | — | — | 0 | — |
| 24x27 prototype | — | — | 0 | — |
| Betriebskamera | — | — | 0 | — |
| Bundeswehr | — | — | 0 | — |
| no low speed no viewfinder | — | — | 0 | — |
| Post | — | — | 0 | — |
| Repro | — | — | 0 | — |
| Self-Timer | — | — | 0 | — |
| Siemens Microscope | — | — | 0 | — |
| w/Leicavit | — | — | 0 | — |
| w/Visoflex | — | — | 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.
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Nov 2025 | EUR 1,500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02357) Title: Leica Ig outfit
Description:
Very nice outfit including a Leica Ig in almost mint condition, interesting '13' in a circle engraved on the back, with Leicavit rapid winder, Elmar 2.8/5cm no.1540598, SBOOI 5cm finder, Telyt 4/20cm no.1899687 (front lens cap), Visoflex II, OTXBO magnifier and OUBIO adapter ring. |
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| Nov 2025 | £1,875 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 12) Title: A Leica IG 'Betriebsk' Body
Description:
1957-60, chrome, serial no. 529, body, VG, shutter working Notes: These 'work cameras' were used internally by Leitz company employees, and were |
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| Apr 2024 | £280 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 520) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Ig Camera Body
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Ig Camera Body, serial no 925468, 1958, shutter sluggish in one second, responsive through other speeds, body G-VG, some light |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 9,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41482) Title: Leica Ig Post
Description:
the rarest variant of the Leica Post cameras - a special Leica Ig, with modified Summaron 3.5/3.5cm no.1520925 (fix focus, black painted mounting ring, focusing lever removed), in beautiful, near-mint condition Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2022 | £350 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 6A) Title: A Leica Ig Body
Description:
chrome, serial no. 925615, c.1958, body VG, shutter working (Qty: 1) |
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| Apr 2022 | £812 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 15) Title: A Leica Ig Camera
Description:
1957, chrome, serial no. 909391, with Voigtlander Skopar f/4 25mm lens, chrome, serial no. 9920506, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, VG-E, complete |
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| Nov 2021 | EUR 550 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 39 (Lot AI_39_39653) Title: Leica Ig
Description:
Body in very good condition and working order, with coated Elmar 3.5/5cm no.730296 (1949) showing some cleaning marks, clear 50mm finder SBOOI and front lens cap Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Jun 2021 | EUR 550 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 38 (Lot AI_38_39186) Title: Leica Ig Self-Timer
Description:
a very rare variant of the early Ig equipped with self-timer, in near-mint condition (base plate cond. B) and good working order Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Apr 2021 | £930 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 14) Title: A Leica Ig Body
Description:
1957, olive repaint, serial no. 887531, body, E, shutter working |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 400 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38660) Title: Leica Ig + MIKAS microscope adapter
Description:
Body in near mint condition and good working order, with a late version MIKAS microscope adapter and double cable release Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Apr 2019 | £276 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 147) Title: A Leica Ig Body
Description:
1957, chrome, serial no. 887531, body, shutter sticking; From the first batch produced with numbers starting at 887000. |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 1,500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36964) Title: Leica Ig 'Siemens'
Description:
rare factory-modified Ig for use in Siemens electron microscopes (without accessory shoe, strap lugs, synchronization), special low-profile winding knob with drive pin, in excellent condition, with body cap Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Apr 2018 | £276 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1031) Title: A Leica Ig Body
Description:
1957, chrome, serial no 887912, body, VG, shutter working, slowest speed sticking, with maker's body cap |
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| Apr 2018 | £276 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1033) Title: A Leica Ig Body
Description:
1958, chrome, serial no. 926248, body, VG-E, shutter working, with maker's body cap |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 450 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35474) Title: Leica Ig
Description:
almost mint body in perfect working order from the first batch in 1957, body cap Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 650 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32477) Title: Ig
Description:
in almost perfect condition, with clean collapsible Summicron 2/5cm no.1104335, SBOOI finder and lens cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10135) Title: Ig
Description:
body in good working order with matching serial number inside, red scale Elmar 3.5/5cm no.1164926 (cleaning marks, SBOOI 5cm BL finder, FISON hood) Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 650 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19713) Title: Ig
Description:
very late Ig in good working order with Elmar 2.8/5cm no.1634315, 5cm SBOOI finder, ever-ready case Estimate: EUR 900 - EUR 1,100 |
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| Jul 2006 | £540 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras. The John Patrick Duigenan Collection (Lot 104) Title: Leica Ig no. 926326
Description:
Leica Ig no. 926326 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Jul 2006 | £600 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras. The John Patrick Duigenan Collection (Lot 103) Title: Leica Ig no. 908321
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908321 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 2005 | £504 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 50) Title: Leica Ig no. 907202
Description:
Leica Ig no. 907202 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Feb 2005 | £720 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 9) Title: Leica Ig no. 925225
Description:
Leica Ig no. 925225 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 2004 | £310 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 61) Title: Leica Ig no. 925639
Description:
Leica Ig no. 925639 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 2,313 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24304) Title: Ig Betriebskamera
Description:
rare and original Ig Leitz Betriebskamera for internal use, number 603 is also engraved inside, very good condition Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Sep 2004 | £597 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 21) Title: Leica Ig no. 925225
Description:
Leica Ig no. 925225 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Jun 2004 | £657 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 310) Title: Leica Ig no. 907627
Description:
Leica Ig no. 907627 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Dec 2003 | £470 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 55) Title: Leica Ig no. 887103
Description:
Leica Ig no. 887103 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Sep 2003 | £705 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 10) Title: Leica Ig no. 924671
Description:
Leica Ig no. 924671 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Jun 2003 | £822 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 94) Title: Leica Ig no. 908099
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908099 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Jun 2003 | £411 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 95) Title: Leica Ig no. 925429
Description:
Leica Ig no. 925429 Estimate: £180 - £250 |
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| Sep 2001 | £822 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 5) Title: Leica Ig no. 908946
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908946 Estimate: £600 - £1,000 |
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| Aug 2000 | £1,410 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 45) Title: Leica Ig no. 909506
Description:
Leica Ig no. 909506 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Jun 1999 | £805 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 180) Title: Leica Ig no. 987509
Description:
Leica Ig no. 987509 Estimate: £550 - £650 |
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| Jun 1999 | £805 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 179) Title: Leica Ig no. 887760
Description:
Leica Ig no. 887760 Estimate: £350 - £500 |
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| Oct 1998 | £920 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 52) Title: Leica Ig no. 907799
Description:
Leica Ig no. 907799 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Jun 1998 | £1,092 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 267) Title: Leica Ig no. 908949
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908949 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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| Jun 1998 | £828 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 266) Title: Leica Ig no. 887495
Description:
Leica Ig no. 887495 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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