Leitz IIIb (G)
The Leitz IIIb is a 35mm screw-mount rangefinder introduced in 1938, the successor in the Leica III series that brought the rangefinder and viewfinder eyepieces closer together for easier use. It was positioned as a top-tier professional rangefinder when new and saw military as well as civilian distribution, which is why a long list of service-marked variants (Wehrmacht Heer, Luftwaffen Eigentum, Kriegsmarine and others) exists alongside standard chrome bodies.
At recent UK auction, standard civilian IIIb bodies have been hammering in a fairly tight band: the five most recent sales (2024–2025) run from £140 to £280, with a median around £240. These are wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer asking prices, and as of 2026 that is broadly what a plain chrome example is worth today; military-marked and presentation variants sell for considerably more, with one Leitz-auction example reaching £700 in 2020 and an earlier Christie's lot realising over £1,100, so variant identification has a direct effect on value.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 0 | — |
| chrome | — | — | 10 | £139 – £1,116 |
| Cut-Away | — | — | 0 | — |
| DANA (Allgemeine Nachrichtenagentur) | — | — | 0 | — |
| Heer | — | — | 0 | — |
| Luftwaffen Eigentum | — | — | 0 | — |
| M (Kriegsmarine) | — | — | 0 | — |
| military | — | — | 0 | — |
| N-L (Netherlands Odin) | — | — | 0 | — |
| Royal Air Force | — | — | 0 | — |
| S-T (Specialite Tiranty) | — | — | 1 | £1,000 – £1,000 |
| W.H. (Wehrmacht Heer) | — | — | 0 | — |
| with MOOLY | — | — | 1 | £1,875 – £1,875 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02455) Title: Leica IIIb chrome with Leica-Motor MOOLY
Description:
Beautiful Leica IIIb chrome in almost mint condition, with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.544890 (front lens cap), good optics only showing a few light cleaning marks, with Leica-Motor MOOLY no.1905 with release linkage, export version with 'Germany' engraving. |
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| Nov 2025 | £1,875 | Flints Auctions | with MOOLY | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 7) Title: A Leica IIIb 'Spécialités Tiranty' Paris Rangefinder Camera
Description:
with MOOLY Motor, 1939, chrome, serial no. 321062, with Leitz Summar f/2 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 482453, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, |
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| Jul 2025 | £275 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 5) Title: A Leica IIIb 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 326124, body G, shutter speeds all work with a slight squeak from the second curtain, with a Elmar f/3.5 5cm collapsible lens, |
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| Jun 2025 | EUR 1,700 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01873) Title: Leica IIIb chrome with MOOLY
Description:
Beautiful Leica IIIb chrome in almost mint condition, with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.742340 (front lens cap, FISON hood and SBOOI finder with leather case), optics showing some cleaning marks, with Leica-Motor MOOLY no.2248 with release linkage, with original bottom plate. Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Apr 2025 | £350 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 28) Title: A Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 326722, body G, usage marks to top and bottom plate, shutter working, rangefinder patch moving, with f/2 5cm Summar lens, |
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| Mar 2025 | £139 | Chiswick Auctions | chrome | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 212) Title: A Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera Serial No: 281103 (1938) Body: F - some vulcanite lift and marks to chrome Shutter: working Lens: Leitz 9cm f/4 Elmar (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Oct 2024 | £240 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1673) Title: Leica IIIb 35mm rangefinder camera, serial number 328205, circa 1939, with Ernst Leitz Summar f=
Description:
Leica IIIb 35mm rangefinder camera, serial number 328205, circa 1939, with Ernst Leitz Summar f= |
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| Oct 2024 | £190 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 396) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera, serial no 231845, shutter sticking, rangefinder working, body G, some surface oxidation to two screw |
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| Aug 2024 | £275 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 6) Title: A Leica IIIb 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
chrome, serial number 351346, body G, light marks to the bottom plate, shutter works, rangefinder clear, self-timer works, with Leitz Summitar f/2 |
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| Jun 2024 | £240 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 303) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Model G Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Model G Rangefinder Camera, serial no 283342, 1930, shutter working, body F-G, brassing to shutter speed dial, some |
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| Jun 2024 | £275 | Flints Auctions | chrome | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 24) Title: A Leica IIIb Rangefinder Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 283868, body, G, shutter working, small mark to bottom plate, with Leitz Elmar f/2.8 5cm lens, serial number 1618198, chrome, |
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| Apr 2024 | £220 | Special Auction Services | chrome | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 545) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Model G Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Leica IIIb Model G Rangefinder Camera serial no 350886, 1940, shutter working, rangefinder working, body G, some light marks to top & |
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| Aug 2022 | £475 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 299) Title: A Leica IIIb 35mm Rangefinder Camera Outfit
Description:
c.1937/8, chrome, serial no. 240727, body G, shutter working, RF patch bright & clear, alignment appears good, viewfinder window clear & bright, some (Qty: 1) |
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| Apr 2022 | £1,000 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 6) Title: A Leica IIIb British Military Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1938, chrome, serial no. 294050, with Leitz Summitar f/2 50mm lens, 1939, chrome, serial no. 523768, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG-E Note: |
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| Nov 2021 | £744 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 17) Title: A Leica IIIb 'Luftwaffe-Eigentum' Rangefinder Body
Description:
1939/40, chrome, serial no. 346401, body, F-G, shutter working, slow speeds sticking Notes: Engraved 'FI. No.38079' to top plate and blanking plate |
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| Nov 2021 | USD 2,000 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2021 Auction Results (Lot 182) Title: Leica IIIb “Luftwaffen Eigentum” Nr. 348459 "Bud" Rawlings
Description:
Leica IIIb “Luftwaffen Eigentum” Nr. 348459 "Bud" Rawlings |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 7,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38576) Title: Leica IIIb chrome 'Royal Air Force'
Description:
very rare IIIb with military engravings of UK Royal Air Force, special number '14A/1970', matching Summar 2/5cm no.269640 with engraving 'RAF' on the barrel, and well-made custom leather case Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,400 |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | chrome | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38198) Title: Leica IIIb
Description:
body in very good condition (vulcanite repair on the back), with chrome Summar 2/5cm no.448812 (slight cleaning marks), inclusive stereo-attachment Stereoly no.1987 Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37604) Title: Leica IIIb 'S-T' (Specialites Tiranty)
Description:
quite rare Leica IIIb engraved on top plate 'S-T' for the sales agent in France, in good original condition Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36923) Title: Leica IIIb 'N-L'
Description:
IIIb in good condition, shutter needs service, N-L engraved for the Leitz agency Odin in the Netherlands, with Summitar 2/5cm no.528709, meter scale, with cap Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 1,300 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35919) Title: Leica IIIb 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum'
Description:
IIIb for German Air Force, top plate engraved 'FL No.38079', 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum' stamped on vulcanite, with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.533687 (cap), camera delivered as LEYOO to Luftwaffe BLN Berlin on February 26th, 1940 (delivery number 7989), with brown everready case 'Luftwaffeneigentum' - IIIb military cameras are much more rare than IIIc cameras Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 1,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35329) Title: Leica IIIb 'German Army'
Description:
early military IIIb, rear of top plate stamped with 'Reichsadler', Elmar 3.5/5cm no.436282 with same engraving Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 450 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35158) Title: Leica IIIb chrome
Description:
in near mint condition and perfect working order, with body cap Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33400) Title: Leica IIIb chrome
Description:
in near mint condition, with chrome Elmar 3.5/5cm no.731131, front cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 900 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13976) Title: IIIb + MOOLY
Description:
IIIb body with Leica-Motor MOOLY no.2170, engraved 'Germany', release arm, cap Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 610 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11968) Title: IIIb + MOOLY
Description:
war-time body with unnumbered Elmar 3.5/5cm, MOOLY Leica-Motor no.596 with transmission arm, FISON hood Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11063) Title: IIIb Chrom Schnittmodell
Description:
very rare original Leitz cut-away model in near mint condition Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 360 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_19083) Title: IIIb 'N-L'
Description:
IIIb in good working order, N-L engraved for the Leitz agency Odin in Netherlands, Elmar 3.5/5cm no.871377, meter scale, cap, OKARO rangefinder orange filter Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Jun 2007 | £1,440 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica, Nikon, 35mm & Other Photographic Equipment (Lot 209) Title: Leica IIIb no. 348455
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 348455 Estimate: £900 - £1,200 |
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| Jul 2006 | £144 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras. The John Patrick Duigenan Collection (Lot 61) Title: Leica IIIb no. 281774
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 281774 Estimate: £100 - £140 |
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| May 2006 | £168 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: Cameras, Magic Lanterns and Photographs (Lot 117) Title: Leica IIIb no. 351634
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 351634 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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| Feb 2006 | £132 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment including the Property of a Photographer (Lot 17) Title: Leica IIIb no. 323441
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 323441 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Jun 2005 | £144 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 274) Title: Leica IIIb no. 418210
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 418210 Estimate: £180 - £220 |
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| Jun 2005 | £168 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 273) Title: Leica IIIb no. 351300
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 351300 Estimate: £180 - £250 |
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| Nov 2004 | £119 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 81) Title: Leica IIIb no. 265765
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 265765 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Sep 2003 | £1,116 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 25) Title: Leica IIIb no. 335426
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 335426 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Feb 2002 | £293 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 24) Title: Leica IIIb no. 283734
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 283734 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Jul 1998 | £230 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 46) Title: Leica IIIb no. 345322
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 345322 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Jun 1998 | £207 | Christie's | chrome | |
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Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 207) Title: Leica IIIb no. 284303
Description:
Leica IIIb no. 284303 Estimate: £20 - £300 |
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