Leitz MS
The Leitz MS is a 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Leitz. It appears infrequently at UK auction, where its value is shaped largely by condition and completeness rather than by a steady supply of comparable examples.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Leitz MS have ranged from roughly £4,000 to £16,000, with a median around £9,000 across the limited sales on record. The wide spread reflects how condition-sensitive and thinly traded this model is — wholesale saleroom results in 2026 still hinge heavily on cosmetics, mechanical health and any accompanying paperwork, and a single clean example can sell for several times what a tired one is worth.
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 | |
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| Apr 2025 | £4,000 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 52) Title: A Leica MP 0.72 Rangefinder Camera
Description:
2002, black, serial no. 2889406, body, E, shutter working |
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| Oct 2024 | £4,100 | Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1756) Title: Leica MP 0.72 35mm rangefinder black camera body, serial number 2889277, circa 2002, together with
Description:
Leica MP 0.72 35mm rangefinder black camera body, serial number 2889277, circa 2002, together with |
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| Oct 2024 | £20,000 | Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1744) Title: Leica MP 35mm rangefinder camera with chrome body, serial number 394, circa 1957, with Leicavit
Description:
Leica MP 35mm rangefinder camera with chrome body, serial number 394, circa 1957, with Leicavit |
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| Nov 2023 | EUR 1,100,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 43 (Lot A00247) Title: Leica MP black paint no.60 'Yul Brynner'
Description:
The MP-60 is in similar cosmetic condition as its sibling, the MP-59. It shows an attractive patina of use around the edges, it is also in perfect working condition. This special Leica includes a matching, sought-after black paint Leicavit MP and a rigid chrome Summicron 2/5cm no.1513257.These Leica MP cameras, totaling only 141 in production, were symbolic of Brynner's commitment to the art of photography. However, it was his extensive body of work, consisting of thousands of photographs, that truly exemplified his photographic prowess. Brynner's photographs tell stories, capturing moments in time with the same dedication and precision he brought to the stage and screen, leaving an enduring legacy in both the worlds of cinema and photography.It was at the 'Photokina' fair in Cologne in 1956 when the new Leica MP was introduced to the public. It was much more than a mere variation of the Leica M3. It was the only serial model which has an individual number, differing fundamentally from the usual fabrication numbers of all other Leica cameras. With only 412 units produced, the MP is among the rarest Leica models of all time. The black-paint version was produced only 141 times and acquired mainly by professional photographers. Many famous professional photographers used MP cameras. Today it is among the most sought-after Leicas of all. The idea which led to the production of the MP model came from several well-known American press photographers, who wanted to make use of the advantages of the Leicavit (available at that time for IIIf only) on their Leica M cameras as well. It was mainly the suggestion of Alfred Eisenstaedt and David Douglas Duncan which aroused the interest of Dr. Ludwig Leitz, who was the director of the development and construction department in 1955.Brynner is certainly not the first actor to photograph as a hobby - there have been plenty actor-shutterbugs, from Roddy McDowall, to Jeff Bridges, to today's crop, including Penelope Cruz - but Brynner used photography as a way to stay in love with his daily job, which was performing. He wasn't lonely or bored on film sets or backstage, despite the endless hours of waiting around that goes on in the theater or in moviemaking, because he had his Leicas. - Ingrid Sischy Estimate: EUR 600,000 - EUR 700,000 |
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| Nov 2023 | EUR 13,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 43 (Lot AI_20220621_1414_41134) Title: Leica MP 'Space' by King Nerd
Description:
John Dowell, aka King Nerd, is a British designer and artist creating true masterpieces and handmade rarities as an engraver. His clients include the big names in the fashion and luxury watch industries, automobile and motorcycle manufacturers, spirits and audio brands and... Leica Camera. One of his artworks is the offered Leica MP 'Space'.'Documenting our world on a Leica camera was important to me because so many people use Leica cameras to take photos of our world,' says John Dowell, describing his intention, which led to the creation of this unique Leica MP. 'I originally had ideas to document outer space and planet earth forever on a Leica camera,' he continues, 'when I showed these designs and ideas, the guys at Leica liked what I had created in my drawings, and they decided to let me continue'.From an LFI interview with King Nerd. Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 24,000 |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 16,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41232) Title: Leica MP chrome à la carte Presentation outfit
Description:
beautiful mint à la carte MP 0,58 with box calf red leather covering (body cap), ex-demonstration camera with leather covering options palet sample and list of camera options, with warranty card, instructions and very rare 'à la carte' wooden presentation box Estimate: EUR 5,500 - EUR 6,000 |
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| Nov 2022 | £4,000 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 45) Title: A Leica MP 0.85 Rangefinder Body
Description:
2003, chrome, serial no. 2983485, body, VG-E, shutter working, complete with Leicavit M Note: This lot incurs VAT, due to being imported into the UK, |
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| Jun 2022 | EUR 80,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 40 (Lot AI_40_40488) Title: Leica MP SP black paint no.57
Description:
The MP SP is a very rare version of a Leica MP, made exclusively to special order, featuring M2 mechanics with special engraving on the top plate, the camera is equipped with an early type back door, there is a number 'P 57' engraved on the chassis, it is in excellent condition, with near mint Leicavit MP (most probably also refinished by Leica). This is the second known MP SP black paint - the other one with the consecutive number MP-58 is shown in "Lager I Cameras" on page 195. Estimate: EUR 40,000 - EUR 50,000 |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 9,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38183) Title: Leica MP anthracite kit 10316
Description:
rare special edition MP finished in anthracite grey, in mint, unused condition, complete with Leicavit MP no.0000566 in the same finish, all matching papers and maker's box Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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