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Leitz Leica CL

The Leica CL is a compact 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1973, developed jointly by Leitz and Minolta and produced until 1976. It uses the Leica M bayonet mount and features through-the-lens metering, positioning it when new as a smaller and more affordable companion to the full-size M-series bodies.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Leica CL body have spanned roughly £200 to £600, with a 2025 Chiswick result at £605 and a Special Auction Services sale at £460 bracketing where clean examples sell for today. Across the longer saleroom record the overall range is about £120–£900, with a median near £420, and condition, completeness of the meter and the presence of the matching 40mm Summicron-C drive most of the price variation in the auction market.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary) 4 £382 – £881
Betriebskamera 0
Cut-Away 0
Dummy 0
Dummy (w/hand) 0
Everest Expedition outfit 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: June 2026

Date Price Source Variant
Jun 2026 £400 Flints Auctions
Mar 2026 £140 Special Auction Services
Nov 2025 £400 Flints Auctions
Nov 2025 EUR 1,500 Leitz Auction
Jul 2025 £202 Chiswick Auctions
Jul 2025 £605 Chiswick Auctions
Jun 2025 £119 Flints Auctions
May 2025 £460 Special Auction Services
Apr 2025 £625 Flints Auctions
Nov 2024 EUR 850 Leitz Auction
Oct 2024 £650 David Duggleby
Oct 2024 £750 Harper Field Auctions
Oct 2024 £550 Harper Field Auctions
Oct 2024 £260 Special Auction Services
Nov 2023 EUR 1,300 Leitz Auction
Nov 2023 £812 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £1,000 Flints Auctions
Jun 2023 EUR 2,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2022 EUR 2,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2022 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
Oct 2022 £500 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £600 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £500 Flints Auctions
May 2022 £400 Flints Auctions
Dec 2021 £149 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £719 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £496 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £769 Flints Auctions
May 2021 £260 Harper Field Auctions
May 2021 £400 Harper Field Auctions
Nov 2020 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Oct 2019 £624 Flints Auctions
Jun 2019 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 £720 Flints Auctions
Apr 2018 £624 Flints Auctions
Mar 2018 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Oct 2017 £576 Flints Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 850 Leitz Auction 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary)
Nov 2014 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 850 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 950 Leitz Auction
May 2010 EUR 12,500 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 460 Leitz Auction
Jun 2007 £384 Christie's
Jun 2007 £288 Christie's
May 2006 EUR 770 Leitz Auction
May 2006 £264 Christie's
Feb 2006 £420 Christie's 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary)
Nov 2005 £240 Christie's
Sep 2005 £600 Christie's
May 2005 £780 Christie's
Nov 2004 EUR 859 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 EUR 688 Leitz Auction
Sep 2004 £382 Christie's 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary)
Feb 2004 £478 Christie's
Dec 2003 £282 Christie's
Dec 2003 £117 Christie's
Apr 2003 £705 Christie's
Nov 2002 £293 Christie's
Nov 2002 £352 Christie's
Jul 2002 £352 Christie's
Jul 2002 £446 Christie's
Feb 2002 £646 Christie's
Feb 2002 £293 Christie's
Nov 2001 £646 Christie's
Oct 2000 £646 Christie's
Jun 2000 £881 Christie's 50 Jahre Leica (50th Anniversary)
May 2000 £493 Christie's
Sep 1999 £690 Christie's
Sep 1999 £345 Christie's
Jun 1999 £552 Christie's
Nov 1998 £632 Christie's
Sep 1998 £402 Christie's
Jul 1998 £586 Christie's
Jun 1998 £517 Christie's
Mar 1998 £253 Christie's
Mar 1998 £437 Christie's
Mar 1998 £414 Christie's
Mar 1998 £437 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Leica CL worth today in 2026?

Working bodies in honest cosmetic condition typically sell for around £400–£600 at UK auction, with tatty or non-metering examples dropping toward £200 and exceptional outfits with the 40mm Summicron-C reaching higher.

How much does a Leica CL sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices range from about £200 for a body-only example to £605 for a cleaner one, broadly in line with the longer-term median value of roughly £420.

Does the Leica CL take Leica M lenses?

Yes, the CL uses the Leica M bayonet and accepts M-mount lenses, though some later and longer focal lengths can foul the internal meter arm and are not officially recommended.

Is a Leica CL with a broken meter still worth buying?

It can be, but the price should reflect it: meter-dead bodies generally sell at the bottom of the range because CdS cell replacement is specialist work and parts supply is limited.