CameraWorth.com

Minolta 35 (first Model, original)

The Minolta 35 is a 35mm rangefinder camera, the first model in Minolta's postwar rangefinder line introduced in the late 1940s. It was Japan's early entry into interchangeable-lens 35mm photography and positioned as a domestic alternative to imported European rangefinders of the period.

With only two UK auction hammer results on file — £299 in 1998 and £900 in 2017 — there is not enough recent data to establish a reliable market price for the original Minolta 35 today in 2026. The wide spread at saleroom level reflects both the age of the records and the condition-sensitivity of early Japanese rangefinders, where clean, working examples can sell for a multiple of rough ones. Buyers researching what a Minolta 35 is worth should treat these figures as sparse reference points rather than a current guide to value.

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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
Apr 2026 £175 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £162 Flints Auctions
Dec 2021 £81 Flints Auctions
Jun 2017 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 £132 Christie's
Nov 2004 £155 Christie's
Feb 2004 £143 Christie's
Nov 2003 EUR 1,000 Leitz Auction
May 1999 £276 Christie's
May 1999 £276 Christie's
Feb 1999 £345 Christie's
Nov 1998 £517 Christie's
Mar 1998 £299 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Minolta 35 worth today?

Auction hammer records on file show one sale at £299 in 1998 and one at £900 in 2017, so there is no reliable current price — value depends heavily on condition and completeness.

How much does a Minolta 35 sell for at auction?

The two UK hammer prices we have on file sit between £299 and £900, but with so few data points this range should be read as indicative rather than a firm market value.

Is the original Minolta 35 a collectible camera?

Yes — as Minolta's first 35mm rangefinder it has collector interest, which is why clean examples tend to command a premium over users-grade bodies.

Other Minolta cameras