Leitz R8
The Leica R8 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1996, using the Leica R bayonet mount. It was positioned at the top of Leitz's manual-focus SLR line and is recognisable by its distinctive stepped-prism, heavily contoured body designed by Manfred Meinzer.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for Leica R8 bodies have ranged from around £140 to £600, with a median close to £330 — wholesale saleroom levels rather than retail dealer asking prices. As of today in 2026 the R8 sells for noticeably less than it did in the early 2000s, when Christie's results above £800 were not unusual, and what a body is worth now depends heavily on cosmetic condition, shutter function and whether a motor drive or DMR digital back is included. Clean, fully working examples continue to pull toward the upper end of that value range while cosmetically tired bodies settle near the lower bound.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (digital) | — | — | 0 | — |
| explosion | — | — | 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: June 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Jun 2026 | £106 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 53) Title: A Leitz Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body F, damage to the bottom plate taped over, not tested. Note: A 5% import VAT applies to this lot for UK bidders only. International buyers |
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| Jun 2026 | £188 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 52) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
chrome, serial no. 2413400, body, VG, not powering up, complete with maker's box |
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| Mar 2026 | £69 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 27) Title: A Leica R8 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body G-VG, display powers up, shutter not firing, makes a light ticking sound. |
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| Oct 2025 | £189 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 39) Title: Black Leica (Portugal) R8 Film Camera Body.
Description:
Black Leica (Portugal) R8 Film Camera Body. #2751467. Shutter firing and meter responsive. Signs of normal use with some paint wear to white ... read more |
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| Jul 2025 | £139 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 262) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body Serial No: 2291280 Body: VG Shutter: working however shutter blinds exhibit significant damage Notes: with body cap, (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Mar 2025 | £275 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 42) Title: A Leica R8 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
silver, serial number 2416178, body G, shutter works, powers up. |
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| Nov 2024 | £438 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 70) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
1997, chrome, serial no. 2413468, body, VG, shutter working, complete with instructions, warranty card and maker's box, also to include 14527 ever |
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| Oct 2024 | £380 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1820) Title: Leica R8 35mm SLR camera, serial number 2293459, with Leica Summicron-R 1:2/50 lens, serial number
Description:
Leica R8 35mm SLR camera, serial number 2293459, with Leica Summicron-R 1:2/50 lens, serial number |
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| Jun 2024 | £240 | David Duggleby | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Maritime & Scientific Instruments (Lot 3000) Title: Leica R8 SLR camera body, in chrome and black finish, serial no. 2292640, made in Germany ...
Description:
Leica R8 SLR camera body, in chrome and black finish, serial no. 2292640, made in Germany ... |
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| May 2024 | £600 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 83) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera
Description:
2001, black, serial no. 2775612, with Leitz Vario-Elmar-R f/3.5-4.5 28-70mm lens, black, serial no. 3904537, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG, body |
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| May 2024 | £775 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 82) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera
Description:
1997, black, serial no. 2430127, with Leitz Summicron f/2 50mm lens, black, serial number , 3512212, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, G-VG, haze to |
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| Apr 2024 | £250 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 431) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body, black, made in Germany, serial no 2435154, 1998, shutter working, meter responsive, camera responsive in settings, back |
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| Jun 2023 | £225 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 15) Title: A Leica R8 35mm SLR Body
Description:
black, 2002, made by Leica Portugal, serial no.2847130, shutter untested, body VG |
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| May 2023 | £362 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 53) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
2000, chrome, serial no. 2297735, body, VG, shutter working, some very light pitting in places, complete with Leica Motor Drive R8 and charger unit |
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| Apr 2023 | £500 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 517) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera
Description:
A Leica R8 SLR Camera, black, made in Germany, serial no 2428792, 1997, powers up, shutter working, meter working, appears to function as should, |
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| Jan 2023 | £338 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 63) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, serial no. 2427632, body, G-VG, shutter working, complete with maker's box and warranty card |
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| Jan 2023 | £300 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 62) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Camera Body
Description:
chrome, serial no. 2552534, body, VG, shutter working |
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| Nov 2022 | £400 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 73) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Body
Description:
1996, black, serial no. 2291461, body, E, shutter working, complete Motor Winder R, original paper work and maker's box Note: This lot incurs VAT, |
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| Apr 2022 | £1,875 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 60) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Body
Description:
with Digital Modul-R, 1996, chrome, serial no. 2435109, body, VG-E, digital modul untested, complete with maker's boxes |
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| Nov 2020 | £298 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 182) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Body
Description:
2001, chrome, serial no. 2775200, body, VG, shutter working, in maker's box Note: Shutter working |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 2,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37785) Title: Leica R8 + Vario-Elmarit-R 2.8-4.5/28-90mm ASPH.
Description:
in very fine condition, with Vario-Elmarit-R 2.8-4.5/28-90mm ASPH. no.3974766 (cond. A-, clean and clear lenses, with both caps), motor-winder R8, strap, instructions, R8 book by Jonathan Eastland and makers box (for R8) Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
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| Oct 2019 | £312 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 206) Title: A Leica R8 SLR Body
Description:
1996, black, serial no. 2476359, body, E, shutter not tested, in maker's box |
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| Aug 2019 | £280 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 85) Title: Leica R8 SLR camera body in original box with instructions and strap
Description:
Leica R8 SLR camera body in original box with instructions and strap |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36716) Title: Leica R8 chrome
Description:
like new R8 with sealed and never used Summicron-R 2/50mm no.2972304, with presentation box, papers, batteries, strap and matching maker's box Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Sep 2004 | £597 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 181) Title: Leica R8 no. 2435774
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2435774 Estimate: £350 - £450 |
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| Jun 2004 | £358 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 338) Title: Leica R8 no. 2292471
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2292471 Estimate: £500 - £700 |
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| Dec 2003 | £564 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA CAMERAS THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR (Lot 119) Title: Leica R8 no. 2294701
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2294701 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Nov 2003 | £763 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, CINE CAMERAS AND CAMERAS (Lot 556) Title: Leica R8 no. 2435218
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2435218 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Sep 2003 | £881 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 253) Title: Leica R8 no. 2290619
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2290619 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Jun 2002 | £1,410 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 310) Title: Leica R8 no. 2421248
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2421248 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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| Feb 2002 | £1,116 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 196) Title: Leica R8 no. 2421248
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2421248 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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| Feb 2002 | £881 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 195) Title: Leica R8 no. 2285491
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2285491 Estimate: £700 - £900 |
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| Oct 2000 | £940 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 331) Title: Leica R8 no. 2291409
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2291409 Estimate: £700 - £1,000 |
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| Jun 2000 | £822 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 217) Title: Leica R8 no. 2292316
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2292316 Estimate: £700 - £900 |
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| Jun 2000 | £705 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 216) Title: Leica R8 no. 2291459
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2291459 Estimate: £700 - £900 |
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| Feb 1999 | £1,840 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 117) Title: Leica R8 no. 2293562
Description:
Leica R8 no. 2293562 Estimate: £1,200 - £1,800 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leica R8 worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results over the last two years, a Leica R8 body is typically worth between about £140 and £600, with most clean working examples changing hands around the £300–£440 mark.
How much does a Leica R8 sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom hammer prices for R8 bodies have ranged from £139 to £600, with a median near £330; historic Christie's sales in the early 2000s reached £881 and £940, reflecting the price the camera held when closer to its production era.
Why does the price of a Leica R8 vary so much?
Value is driven mainly by electronic condition, cosmetic wear and whether the lot includes a motor drive or DMR digital back; a tired body with metering faults will sell near £140 while a clean, tested example with accessories reaches the upper £500s.
Is the Leica R8 the same as the R9?
No — the R9 is the later, lighter revision of the same body shell and uses the same R bayonet mount, but each model is priced separately at auction and they should not be conflated when comparing values.