Leitz R4S
The Leitz R4S is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1983 as a simplified, lower-cost version of the R4, using the Leica R bayonet mount. It sat below the full-featured R4 in the Leitz SLR line and was aimed at photographers who wanted the R-system body and lens compatibility at a reduced price.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the R4S have ranged from around £31 for rough examples to about £160 for clean working bodies, with a median close to £115 across 2024 and 2025 saleroom results. As of today in 2026 the R4S remains one of the more affordable entry points into the Leica R system at auction-wholesale level, though condition, working electronics, and variant type materially affect what a given body sells for.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 5 | £31 – £200 |
| Jesse Owens | — | — | 0 | — |
| Mod. 2 black | — | — | 2 | £129 – £150 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 23) Title: A Leica R4s 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 1639392, body VG-E, shutter works, meter responds to light, in plastic presentation case and maker's box. Note: A 5% import Duty |
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| Nov 2025 | £162 | Flints Auctions | black | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 9) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica R4s 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 1683159, body VG, shutter works, meter responds to light, viewfinder LED's working, in presentation case and maker's box |
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| Mar 2025 | £44 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 38) Title: A Leica R4S 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number,1640165, body G, shutter works but after a lag. |
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| Mar 2025 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 45) Title: A Leica R4s Model 2 SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 1685389, body VG, shutter works, viewfinder display works, with leather case, and rigid plastic presentation case, and |
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| Mar 2025 | £50 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 36) Title: A Leica R4S 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number,1684141, body G, shutter works but after a lag. |
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| Jan 2025 | £95 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 291) Title: A Leitz Wetzlar Leica R4s SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leitz Wetzlar Leica R4s SLR Camera Body, black, serial no 1653383, 1984, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in settings, self timer |
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| Oct 2024 | £150 | Flints Auctions | Mod. 2 black | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 19) Title: A Leica R4S Mod. 2 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 1683783, body VG-E, internal display lights up, shutter works, metering appears to work, in maker's case and packaging. |
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| Oct 2024 | £31 | Flints Auctions | black | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 20) Title: A Leica R4S 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 1652669, body F-G, battery cover missing, shutter works but action is delayed, with body cap. |
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| Oct 2024 | £170 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1814) Title: Leica R4s 35mm shop display SLR camera, serial number removed, with Leitz Summicron-R 1:2/50 lens,
Description:
Leica R4s 35mm shop display SLR camera, serial number removed, with Leitz Summicron-R 1:2/50 lens, |
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| Apr 2024 | £80 | Special Auction Services | black | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 426) Title: A Leica R4s SLR Camera
Description:
A Leica R4s SLR Camera, black, made in Portugal, serial no 1632654, 1983, shutter working, meter responsive, camera responsive in settings, body G, |
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| Nov 2022 | £362 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 70) Title: A Leica R4s Factory Sealed SLR Body
Description:
1983, black, serial no. 1687506, unopened in original wrapping, untested Note: This lot incurs VAT, due to being imported into the UK, at a |
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| Oct 2022 | £200 | Flints Auctions | black | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 74) Title: A Leitz R4s 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working, with body cap, instructions, base cover, hard shell box, & maker's outer box Note: Lot imported under Temporary |
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| Oct 2019 | £228 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 205) Title: A Leica R4s SLR Camera
Description:
1983, black, serial no. 1636233, with Leitz Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5 35-70mm lens, black, serial no. 3173058, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG-E, with |
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| Dec 2003 | £129 | Christie's | Mod. 2 black | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 107) Title: Leica R4S model 2 no. 1656503
Description:
Leica R4S model 2 no. 1656503 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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| Dec 2003 | £164 | Christie's | black | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 109) Title: Leica R4S no. 1646221
Description:
Leica R4S no. 1646221 Estimate: £280 - £350 |
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| Sep 2003 | £105 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 245) Title: Leica R4S no. 1636368
Description:
Leica R4S no. 1636368 Estimate: £200 - £400 |
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| Mar 2001 | £493 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 88) Title: Leica R4s Model 2 no. 1693014
Description:
Leica R4s Model 2 no. 1693014 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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