CameraWorth.com

Leitz Leica CL 50 Anniversary

The Leica CL 50 Anniversary is a commemorative variant of the compact 35mm rangefinder Leica CL, a Leitz M-bayonet body produced in collaboration with Minolta in the mid-1970s. Issued to mark Leitz's 50th anniversary, it is a small-bodied, fully mechanical rangefinder positioned beneath the full-size M cameras when new.

At UK auction, hammer prices for the CL 50 Anniversary have ranged from roughly £900 to £1,600, with the limited dataset sitting around a £1,300 midpoint between the two recorded results. As a low-volume commemorative, the price a clean example sells for today is condition-sensitive: complete sets with the original anniversary presentation and unmarked top plate engraving achieve the upper end at saleroom level, while user-grade bodies are worth less. Buyers researching what this camera is worth in 2026 should expect wide swings driven by cosmetic state and provenance rather than mechanical condition alone.

I have one to sell

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 2020

Date Price Source
Nov 2020 USD 1,600 pedia_sales_tamarkin
Jun 2020 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 USD 900 pedia_sales_tamarkin
Jun 2019 EUR 380 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 USD 350 pedia_sales_tamarkin
Nov 2004 EUR 1,250 Leitz Auction
Dec 2003 £423 Christie's
Jun 1999 £1,150 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Leica CL 50 Anniversary worth today?

Recorded UK auction hammer results place the value between roughly £900 and £1,600, with condition and completeness of the anniversary presentation determining where a given example lands.

How much does a Leica CL 50 Anniversary sell for at auction?

Documented hammer prices sit around £900 at the lower end and £1,600 at the upper end, so a typical clean example sells for a price near the middle of that band.

Is the CL 50 Anniversary more valuable than a standard Leica CL?

The commemorative cosmetics and lower production volume mean the Anniversary version generally commands a premium over the standard CL when sold at auction, provided the anniversary markings are unworn.

What should I check before buying one?

Verify the meter responds correctly, the rangefinder patch is bright and aligned, the cloth shutter is free of pinholes, and the anniversary engraving and finish are intact, since cosmetic wear has an outsized effect on price.

Other Leitz cameras

Similar cameras