Olympus Auto Eye II
The Olympus Auto Eye II is a 35mm fixed-lens rangefinder-style camera from the Japanese maker Olympus, dating to the late 1950s era of compact viewfinder cameras with built-in selenium metering.
Auction-hammer evidence for the Auto Eye II is thin: a single UK saleroom result in April 2025 sold for £38, so today's wholesale value sits at the lower end of the vintage Japanese rangefinder market. With only one data point, a meaningful price range cannot be drawn, and condition — particularly a responsive selenium meter and clean optics — will determine whether examples sell for more or less than this figure.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: May 2026
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| May 2026 | £22 | £22 | 🇬🇧 eBay | |
Title: Olympus Auto Eye II EE Rangefinder 35mm Film Camera D Zuiko f2.5 Lens. Working
Description:
From my personal collection. Tested with film and working. See Photographs. The Olympus Auto Eye, introduced in April 1960, is a historic 35mm rangefinder. It is widely celebrated in photography history as one of the first Japanese cameras to feature an automatic exposure system. It utilizes a built-in selenium light meter for shutter-priority operation. Location: Ballymena, United Kingdom |
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| Apr 2025 | £38 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 229) Title: An Olympus Auto-Eye 2 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
silver and olive green, body G, shutter working, with Zuiko f/2.5 43mm lens, metering appears to not work, with lens hood and leather case. |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Olympus Auto Eye II worth today?
Based on UK auction-hammer data from 2025, an Olympus Auto Eye II is worth around £38, though this reflects only a single recorded sale and the value of any individual example will swing with cosmetic and mechanical condition.
How much does an Olympus Auto Eye II sell for at auction?
The most recent UK saleroom result shows the Auto Eye II selling for £38 in April 2025; with so few comparable sales, that price is the best available reference for current market value rather than a firm range.
Is the Olympus Auto Eye II a good buy at this price?
At under £50 it is an inexpensive entry into late-1950s Japanese rangefinder photography, but the price assumes a working selenium meter and clean optics — defects on either front can make even a cheap body uneconomic to repair.