Leitz R-E
The Leitz/Leica R-E is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera using the Leica R bayonet mount, introduced in 1990 as a simplified, lower-cost entry point into the R system. It was positioned below the R5 in the R-series line-up, offering aperture-priority and manual exposure without the full feature set of its stablemates.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the R-E body have run from about £80 to £250, with a median sitting close to £190 based on the sales on record. Condition drives most of the spread in today's market: clean, fully working examples sit at the upper end of that range, while bodies sold untested or with cosmetic wear change hands for well under £100. Higher results such as the £360 fetched in 2009 reflect earlier specialist-sale demand rather than where the R-E sells for in the current saleroom.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia (1992) | — | — | 0 | — |
| Pro 28 special set | — | — | 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.
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Nov 2025 | £175 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 5) Title: A Leica R-E 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body G, shutter working & LEDs illuminate in the viewfinder, shutter speeds do not always seem to represent the shutter speeds selected, may (Qty: 1) |
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| Oct 2025 | £76 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 38) Title: A Leica RE SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leica RE SLR Camera Body Serial No: 1791551 Body: G Shutter: firing Notes: with Motor Winder R (Qty: 1) |
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| Mar 2025 | £252 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 228) Title: A Leica R-E SLR Camera
Description:
A Leica R-E SLR Camera Serial No: 1791320 (1991) Body: VG Shutter: working Lens: Leitz 50mm f/2 Summicron-R (3227320) Optics: G - some light internal (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Oct 2024 | £190 | David Duggleby | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3002) Title: Leica R-E camera body serial no. 1752690, in black finish, with a Leitz Summicron-R 1:2/50...
Description:
Leica R-E camera body serial no. 1752690, in black finish, with a Leitz Summicron-R 1:2/50... |
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| Aug 2024 | £90 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 156) Title: A Leica R-E SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R-E SLR Camera Body, black, made in Germany, serial no 1753966, 1988, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer |
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| Jun 2024 | £88 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 62) Title: A Leica R-E 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body G, light marks to lens mount, shutter lag of a fraction of a second, with batteries inserted all shutter speeds work and the internal LED |
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| Jun 2024 | £138 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 53) Title: A Leica R-E 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, 1990, serial no.1777790, made in Germany, shutter working and viewfinder LEDs illuminate when batteries inserted, body G, some corrosion |
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| Nov 2023 | £812 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 61) Title: A Leica R-E SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
1991, black, serial no. 1797471, with Leitz Summicron-R f/2 50mm lens, 1978, black, serial no. 2942954, body, VG-E, shutter working in M100, lens, VG, |
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| Oct 2023 | £180 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 665) Title: A Leica R-E SLR Camera
Description:
A Leica R-E SLR Camera, made in Germany, serial no 1797191, 1991, shutter working, meter working, shutter responds in auto, self-timer not working, |
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| Jul 2023 | £106 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Mini Fine Cameras & Instruments of Science (Lot 36) Title: A Leitz Leica R-E 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 1778958, body G-VG, shutter working when batteries are inserted, with body cap, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2023 | £80 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 119) Title: A Leica R-E Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R-E Camera Body, serial no 1754793, 1988, GMBH Germany, shutter working, meter working, body G-VG, with Leica R Motor winder, body cap and |
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| Nov 2022 | £625 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 72) Title: A Leica R-E Olympische Spiele '92 Limited Edition SLR Camera Set
Description:
1992, black, serial no. 1792914, with Leitz Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm lens, 1992, black, serial no. 3584404, body, E, mechanical shutter |
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| Aug 2022 | £200 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 329) Title: A Leica R-E 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, shutter working, body G-VG, in maker's hard shell box, in maker's outer box Note: Lot imported under Temporary Admission. 5% UK import VAT (Qty: 1) |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 360 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19861) Title: R-E
Description:
mint body in perfect working order with cap, 'R28-841' engraved on accessory shoe, papers, in special Leitz presentation case, maker's box with matching serial number Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2006 | £216 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 308) Title: Leica R-E no. 1778193
Description:
Leica R-E no. 1778193 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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| Sep 2003 | £258 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 237) Title: Leica R-E no. 1799265
Description:
Leica R-E no. 1799265 Estimate: £200 - £400 |
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