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
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| 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.
Prices updated: November 2025
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| Nov 2025 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02391) Title: Leica Ig 'Siemens'
Description:
Very rare and late factory-modified Ig for use with Siemens electron microscopes, serial numbers 987XXX are usually allocated to Post cameras, delivered on 15.09.1960, note the absence of accessory shoe, the blinded flash synchronization, the special low-profile winding knob with drive pin, unusual strap lugs filed off, this camera is one of the last Ig (production ends with no.987600), and is in mint condition, with body cap. |
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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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| Jun 2025 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01607) Title: Leica Ig Post
Description:
The rarest variant of the Leica Post cameras - a special Leica Ig, with modified screw-mount Summaron 3.5/3.5cm no.1553332 (fix focus, focusing lever removed), in near-mint condition, including lens cap, delivered to Zürich in 1958. Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Jun 2024 | EUR 3,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 44 (Lot A00547) Title: Leica Ig + Super-Angulon 4/21mm chrome
Description:
Beautiful unusual body in mint condition and working order with body cap, leather case, German leaflet and maker's box, together with a rare early screw-mount Super-Angulon 4/21mm no.1604630 designed by Schneider, in mint condition, with good optics, only 1462 units were produced in Leica M39 mount, with a rare plastic keeper, front lens cap and 21mm finder (leather case). Estimate: EUR 3,200 - EUR 3,600 |
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| Jun 2024 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 44 (Lot A00678) Title: Leica Ig 'Siemens'
Description:
Very rare and late factory-modified Ig for use with Siemens electron microscopes, serial numbers 987XXX are usually allocated to Postcameras, note the absence of accessory shoe, the blinded flash synchronization, the special low-profile winding knob with drive pin, and the strap lugs (very uncommon for this variant), this camera is one of the last Ig (production ends with no.987600), and is in almost mint condition and working order, with body cap. Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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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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| Jun 2020 | EUR 60,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38072) Title: Leica IIg
Description:
very unusual IIIg without slow speeds, delivered as GOOMI (IIIg + 2/5cm Summicron) to New York on March 8th, 1957. Only very few of these IIg cameras without slow speeds are known to exist. All in a similar serial number range, which suggests a small production batch. The offered camera is pictured in Lager Vol.1 'Cameras' on page 165. Comes with a Summicron 2/5cm no.1480223 and Leicavit Estimate: EUR 34,000 - EUR 36,000 |
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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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| Nov 2018 | £3,840 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1010) Title: A Leica IG 'Betriebsk' Body
Description:
1957-60, chrome, serial no. 529, body, VG, shutter working; These 'work cameras' where used internally by Leitz company employees, and were sometimes |
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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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| 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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| Oct 2017 | £420 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 7) Title: A Leica Ig Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 907825, with Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 772731, body, VG-E, shutter working, slow speeds sticking, lens, VG, |
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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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| Jun 2015 | EUR 800 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 27 (Lot AI_27_32173) Title: Ig outfit
Description:
Leica Ig no.907716, Hektor 4.5/135mm lens head no.1647718, Bellows I UXOOR-HEFAR no.8987 with hood UZEOO, OZUPO Visoflex I no.16258 with PEGOO magnifier, OOZAB focusing stage, adapter rings UYCOO and UOOWV, OZWTO double cable release, KGOON ball head - fantastic outfit in mint condition in original UYOOQ fitted case with original Leitz instructions Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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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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| Mar 2001 | £705 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 9) Title: Leica Ig no. 908575
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908575 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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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 2000 | £763 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 112) Title: Leica Ig no. 924879
Description:
Leica Ig no. 924879 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 1999 | £1,092 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 260) Title: Leica Ig no. 908737
Description:
Leica Ig no. 908737 Estimate: £500 - £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 | £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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| 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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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leitz Ig worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a standard Leitz Ig is typically worth between roughly £280 and £900, with exceptional or variant examples having sold for close to £1,900.
How much does a Leitz Ig sell for at auction?
Recent UK hammer prices sit in a broad £280–£1,900 range, with a median around £500; the price a given body sells for depends heavily on condition, completeness and whether it is a scarce variant.
Why does the Leitz Ig have no viewfinder?
The Ig was designed for scientific and reproduction use where the camera is mounted to a copy stand, microscope or Visoflex reflex housing, so an integral rangefinder and viewfinder were omitted to reduce cost and height.
Which lenses fit the Leitz Ig?
The Ig uses the Leica 39mm screw thread (LTM), so it accepts Leitz screw-mount lenses; focusing is done via an external device rather than a coupled rangefinder.