Pentacon Super
The Pentacon Super is a 35mm SLR produced in East Germany by VEB Pentacon in Dresden. It was positioned as the marque's top-tier professional body when introduced in the 1960s, sitting above the simpler Praktica line.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Pentacon Super have ranged from around £340 to £800, with a median near £460 — wholesale saleroom results that exclude buyer's and seller's commission. Values today are highly condition-sensitive, and a clean, fully working example will sell for considerably more than a body with a seized shutter or hazy finder. Because production numbers were modest, supply at auction is thin, which helps explain why the best examples are worth a clear premium over typical Praktica-era bodies.
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: September 2025
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Sep 2025 | £475 | £380 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 177) Title: A Pentacon Super Large Capacity Camera
Description:
comprising a Pentacon Super body, silver, body G-VG, shutter working, with a large capacity film cartridge, with a Pentacon Auto f/1.8 50mm lens, |
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| Sep 2025 | £188 | £150 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 171) Title: A Pentacon Super 35mm SLR Camera and Accessories
Description:
silver, body VG, shutter working, with metered prism, not battery tested, waist level finder, and a Pentacon electric f/1.8 50mm lens, optics G, also |
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| Jan 2025 | £1,260 | £1,000 | 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 67) Title: A Pentacon Super w/ 55mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar Lens
Description:
A Pentacon Super w/ 55mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar Lens Body: G/VG Shutter: working Lense Carl Zeiss Jena 55mm f/1.4 Pancolar (7172653) Optics: ... read more |
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| Nov 2023 | £300 | £240 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 127) Title: A VEB Pentacon Super 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
1969, chrome, serial no. 5515, with Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar f/2 50mm lens, serial no. 6495449, body G-VG, shutter working, optics G-VG, some light (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2023 | £138 | £110 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 202) Title: * A Pentacon Super SLR Camera Body
Description:
chrome, serial no. 4008, body, F-G, shutter not working and requires attention |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 950 | £815 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37789) Title: VEB Pentacon Super
Description:
Only 4579 cameras were produced from this top of the line East German camera, this being one of the last body´s made, the most versatile camera within the Pentacon/Praktica production line, body in very good working condition, prism finder numbered '4869', light meter working, with matching and very rare M42 Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.7173197, from a batch of 1000 lenses from 1967, using glass containing Thorium hence its golden yellow colour (clear optics, some small scratches on front element), front cap. Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 1,200 | £1,059 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36372) Title: K.W. Pentacon Super
Description:
near mint body with sought after fast Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8283867 (clean optics), with lens cap and everready case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 700 | £608 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33444) Title: K.W. Pentacon Super
Description:
near mint body with Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8400939 (clean lenses), 17m magazine for 450 exposures no.2739, motor-drive no.1/1513 Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 800 | £695 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33780) Title: K.W. Pentacon Super
Description:
near mint camera in perfect working order, with Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8284356, Motor Drive no.1030, mint boxed 17m magazine for 450 exposures no.1884, mint boxed second magazine with electrical contacts (battery unit and rubber belts not included), also with connection and release cables and everready case Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 400 | £322 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14318) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
near mint with matching Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8400855 (cap, everready case) Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 700 | £594 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11617) Title: K.W. Pentacon Super Ausrüstung
Description:
near mint outfit including Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8283301, 17m exposure back no.1905, motor-drive no.2394, cable, back door, prism finder, eye-cup, waist-level finder, hood, cap Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 420 | £371 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18698) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
35mm SLR in fine and working condition (exposure meter not working), Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8282982 (clean optics), cap, case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 340 | £282 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17710) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
East German 35mm SLR (body needs service), Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8400461 (2 pins, clean optics) Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 460 | £382 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17711) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
35mm SLR in fine and working condition, Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.8283988 (clean optics), cap, case Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 470 | £320 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16055) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
East German SLR in fine condition, with Pancolar 1.4/50mm no.8283930, cap, case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 710 | £485 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_27055) Title: Pentacon Super outfit
Description:
rare outfit including camera in working condition, Pancolar 1.4/55mm no.7173220, 17m cassette for 250 exposures no.1154, back door, motor drive no.1752 with electromagnetic release, all cables Estimate: EUR 900 - EUR 1,100 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 660 | £451 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_27054) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
East German SLR in very nice condition, engraved: 'MADE IN GERMANY' on the base plate, with Pancolar 1.4/50mm no.8283446, cap, case Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 500 | £340 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25559) Title: Pentacon Super
Description:
optically in good condition with Pancolar 1.4/50mm no.8400777 Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Pentacon Super worth in 2026?
Recent UK auction hammer prices have spanned roughly £340 to £800, with a median around £460 for typical examples.
How much does a Pentacon Super sell for at auction?
Clean, working bodies have sold for up to about £800 at UK auction, while tired examples have changed hands closer to £340.
Why does the price range vary so much?
Condition drives the value: a Pentacon Super with an accurate shutter, clear prism and functioning meter sells for a price well above one needing service.
Is the Pentacon Super rare?
It appears at UK auction only occasionally, which supports the higher end of the observed price range when a good example surfaces.