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Leitz MDa

The Leitz MDa is a 35mm camera built on the Leica M-series body, produced from the late 1960s into the 1970s. It was designed for technical, scientific and reproduction work — supplied without a viewfinder or rangefinder so it could be mounted to microscopes, copy stands, bellows units and Visoflex housings using the Leica M bayonet.

At recent UK auction, MDa bodies have sold in a tight band, with hammer prices for clean examples typically between about £260 and £410 and a median close to £400 across the last few years. Because these figures are wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer retail, what an MDa is worth to a private buyer in 2026 sits a little higher than the numbers shown; the most recent result, in late 2025, was £400, in line with the 2023 sale. Condition of the shutter and trim, and the presence of the correct baseplate and cassette-loading key, are the main factors pushing a body toward the upper end of that range.

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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

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £400 Special Auction Services
Apr 2025 £525 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £280 Harper Field Auctions
May 2024 £600 Flints Auctions
Jul 2023 £400 Flints Auctions
Nov 2022 £475 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £362 Flints Auctions
Jun 2022 £475 Flints Auctions
Nov 2020 EUR 360 Leitz Auction
Jun 2020 EUR 1,600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Apr 2019 £264 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £288 Flints Auctions
Nov 2008 EUR 460 Leitz Auction
Jun 2007 £360 Christie's
Nov 2006 £240 Christie's
Feb 2005 £288 Christie's
Nov 2004 £179 Christie's
Dec 2003 £199 Christie's
Sep 2003 £282 Christie's
Jun 2003 £293 Christie's
Apr 2003 £293 Christie's
Jun 2002 £763 Christie's
Feb 2002 £293 Christie's
Jun 2001 £705 Christie's
Jun 2001 £587 Christie's
Jun 2001 £493 Christie's
Mar 2001 £587 Christie's
Jan 2001 £528 Christie's
Jun 2000 £411 Christie's
Jun 1999 £632 Christie's
May 1999 £345 Christie's
May 1999 £253 Christie's
Nov 1998 £299 Christie's
Oct 1998 £230 Christie's
Sep 1998 £368 Christie's
Aug 1998 £322 Christie's
May 1998 £345 Christie's
Jan 1998 £437 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Leitz MDa worth today?

In the current UK auction market a working MDa body is worth roughly £260 to £410 at hammer, with recent sales clustering around £400.

How much does a Leitz MDa sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices sit near £400 for a clean, functional body, with tired examples selling closer to £260.

Why does the MDa have no viewfinder?

The MDa was built for technical, copying and microscope work where the camera is aimed through an external optical system, so Leitz omitted the viewfinder and rangefinder to keep the top plate simple.

Does the MDa take Leica M lenses?

Yes — it uses the standard Leica M bayonet, so M-mount lenses and Visoflex reflex housings fit directly, though you need an accessory finder or reflex unit to compose.

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