Pentacon PentaconF
The Pentacon F is a 35mm SLR produced in East Germany under the Pentacon name, dating from the mid-twentieth century era of M42-screw-mount system cameras. It was positioned as an enthusiast-level body during a period when the Dresden factory was consolidating the earlier Contax/Pentacon SLR line.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Pentacon F have been modest, with recorded results spanning roughly £38 to £110 and a midpoint around £74 at saleroom level. With only a handful of tracked sales — one of which dates back to 1998 — today's value is best treated as indicative rather than firm, and condition of the shutter and prism will swing what a clean example sells for.
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: September 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Sep 2025 | £50 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 107) Title: A Pentacon F 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
silver, body VG, shutter working with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 50mm lens, optics G, iris sticking. |
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| Aug 2023 | £80 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 183) Title: A Pentacon F SLR Camera
Description:
A Pentacon F SLR Camera, shutter working, body G-VG, light wear, with Novoflex 35mm f/3.5 Noflexar lens, barrel G, elements G-VG |
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| Jan 2023 | £38 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 220) Title: A Pentacon F 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
1957-60, chrome, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 50mm lens, shutter erratic, body G, lens F-G, mild haze, with maker's box, together with an |
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| Sep 1998 | £109 | Christie's | |
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Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 161) Title: Pentacon F no. 161281
Description:
Pentacon F no. 161281 Estimate: £20 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Pentacon F worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results sit in the £38–£110 band, so a working example typically falls within that range depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition.
How much does a Pentacon F sell for at auction?
The two tracked UK saleroom results give a median price near £74, though the small sample size means individual sales can vary noticeably.
Is the Pentacon F a good user camera?
It can be, provided the shutter and prism are sound; buyers should budget for a service if the slow speeds are sticky, as this is common on bodies of this age.