Leitz R6
The Leitz/Leica R6 is a mechanical 35mm SLR using the Leica R bayonet mount, introduced in the late 1980s as a manually controlled body with a battery-powered TTL meter. It was positioned as the professional manual alternative to the electronic R-series bodies, aimed at photographers who wanted shutter operation independent of battery power.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the R6 have spanned roughly £190–£700, with a median around £300 as of today in 2026. These are saleroom results — wholesale levels achieved before premiums — so the body alone is worth noticeably less than dealer retail, and a clean working example typically sells for £250–£450 while the rarer Platinum 150 Years edition lifts the top of the range.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 1 | £138 – £138 |
| Cut-away | — | — | 0 | — |
| Platinum 150 Years | — | — | 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: April 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | £400 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 125) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera
Description:
1988, black, serial no. 1763758, with Leitz Summicron-R f/2 90mm lens, black, serial no. 3060157, body, VG, shutter working, lens, F-G, some cleaning |
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| Apr 2026 | £325 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 126) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera
Description:
1988, black, serial no. 1763823, with Leitz Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm lens, black, serial no. 3626509, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, |
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| Mar 2026 | £140 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 359) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R6 SLR Camera Body, black, made in Germany, serial no 1765458, 1988, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G some paint |
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| Nov 2024 | £288 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 67) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera Body
Description:
1988, black, serial no. 1753207, body, VG-E, shutter working |
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| Nov 2024 | £475 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 68) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera Body
Description:
1989, chrome, serial no. 1766119, body, VG, shutter working, complete with maker's box |
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| Oct 2024 | £200 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1819) Title: Leica R6 35mm SLR camera, serial number 1729177, made in Germany circa 1987, with strap, instruction
Description:
Leica R6 35mm SLR camera, serial number 1729177, made in Germany circa 1987, with strap, instruction |
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| Apr 2024 | £190 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 428) Title: A Leica R6 Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R6 Camera Body, chrome, made in Germany, serial no 1775352, shutter working, meter responsive, camera responsive in settings, outer body VG, |
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| Apr 2024 | £700 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 435) Title: A Leica R6 Camera
Description:
A Leica R6 Camera, black, GMBH Germany, 10 007, serial no 1791979, 1991, shutter working, meter working, body VG-E, with body cap, strap, manual, |
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| Apr 2023 | £162 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 51) Title: A Leica R6 35mm SLR Body
Description:
chrome, 1989, serial no.1767796, shutter working, body G, with body cap |
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| Apr 2023 | £138 | Flints Auctions | black | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 48) Title: A Black Leica R6 35mm SLR Body
Description:
1988, serial no.1748783, body G, slight wear to baseplate, shutter working, with body cap |
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| Apr 2023 | £250 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 513) Title: A Leica R6 SLR Camera
Description:
A Leica R6 SLR Camera, made in Germany, black, serial no 1764325, 1988, shutter working, meter working, body G-VG, some pitting to back bottom edge |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 750 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37786) Title: Leica R6 black outfit
Description:
in fine condition and working order (small bubbles on top plate), with Super-Angulon-R 4/21mm no.2614966 (cond. A/B, fungus on rear element, with rear cap, UV filter and hood), Summicron-R 2/50mm no.3354781 (cond. A-, coating issues on rear element, with both caps, keeper and box), Vario-Elmar-R 4/70-210mm no.3330479 (cond. A-, with both caps, UV filter, keeper and maker's box), Leica Extender-R 2x no.3325567 (cond. A-, rear cap, box), standard back and back with thumbhold, Leica R6 book by Fritz Meisnitzer and maker's box for R6 Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Dec 2003 | £352 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 112) Title: Leica R6 no. 1728766
Description:
Leica R6 no. 1728766 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Dec 2003 | £329 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 113) Title: Leica R6 no. 1766259
Description:
Leica R6 no. 1766259 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Sep 2003 | £329 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 249) Title: Leica R6 no. 1748453
Description:
Leica R6 no. 1748453 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Nov 2002 | £446 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: PHOTOGRAPHS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 351) Title: Leica R6 no. 1751092
Description:
Leica R6 no. 1751092 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Sep 2002 | £564 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 113) Title: Leica R6 no. 1763743
Description:
Leica R6 no. 1763743 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leica R6 worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices put the value between about £190 and £700, with typical clean examples selling for £250–£450.
How much does a Leitz R6 sell for at auction?
Standard black bodies have fetched roughly £190–£330 at hammer, while exceptional or special-edition examples have reached £700.
Does the Platinum 150 Years edition command a higher price?
Yes — the commemorative Platinum 150 Years variant trades above the standard black body, reflecting its limited status among Leitz collectors.
Is the R6 battery-dependent?
No for shutter operation — the shutter is mechanical — but a battery is needed for the TTL meter to function.