Nagel Pupille (Elmar)
The Nagel Pupille is a compact strut-folding camera for 127 roll film, producing 3×4 cm exposures, introduced by Dr. August Nagel's Stuttgart works in the early 1930s. The Elmar variant denotes the version fitted with the Leitz Elmar 50mm f/3.5 interchangeable lens, positioning it as a high-specification pocket camera when new.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Pupille with Elmar lens have typically fallen in the £120–£600 range, with a median around £300 across the records to hand in 2026. One exceptional Christie's result at £9,400 in 2002 stands well clear of the usual band and is best treated as an outlier tied to provenance or condition rather than a guide to what a standard example is worth or sells for today. Because these are wholesale saleroom results, retail dealer asking prices tend to sit higher than the value figures cited here.
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 | |
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| Nov 2023 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 43 (Lot A00165) Title: Nagel Pupille Elmar
Description:
Compact camera for 16 exposures 3x4cm on 127 film, in good condition and working order, with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.100260 mounted in Compur shutter, with 2x filters, metal foot for vertical pictures, matching FOFER rangefinder (engraved with 'N') with mounting adapter, and rare original leather case. Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2021 | £174 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 283) Title: A Nagel Dr. August Pupille 'Elmar' Camera
Description:
1931-35, black, with E. Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm lens, black, serial no. 102640, body, G, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some light cleaning marks and |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 750 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38476) Title: Nagel Pupille Elmar
Description:
With Elmar 3.5/5cm no.105611, in good Compur shutter, including a very rare original focusing attachment - converting the camera to a miniature TLR Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 220 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33603) Title: Nagel Pupille Elmar
Description:
compact medium format camera for 3x4cm exposures on 127 film, in good original condition, with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.103193 Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17737) Title: Nagel Pupille
Description:
rare French version Pupille in excellent condition, Elmar 3.5/5cm no.100233 (cap), yellow filter (engraved: Nagel Filtre jaune), stand (engraved: Nagel), accessory shoe for rangefinder, original everready case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2002 | £9,400 | Christie's | |
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Auction: PHOTOGRAPHS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 482) Title: Pupille gift camera
Description:
Pupille gift camera Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000 |
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| Jun 2002 | £117 | Christie's | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 108) Title: Pupille no. 138782
Description:
Pupille no. 138782 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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