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Plaubel Makinette

The Plaubel Makinette is a compact roll-film camera produced by Plaubel of Frankfurt, Germany in the 1930s. Positioned as a smaller, more pocketable model within Plaubel's pre-war range, it sat alongside the company's larger Makina folding cameras and aimed at enthusiasts wanting a higher-quality amateur instrument.

Hammer prices for the Plaubel Makinette at UK auction have ranged from roughly £380 to £2,000, with a median near £850 across eleven tracked saleroom results. As of 2026 the camera's value is strongly condition-dependent: clean, working examples with original fittings have sold for four figures, while tired or incomplete bodies sell for well under £500. Because these are auction hammer figures rather than dealer retail prices, what a buyer finally pays for one can differ from the underlying wholesale level shown here.

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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: May 2023

Date Price Source
May 2023 £500 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2020 £744 Flints Auctions
Mar 2014 EUR 1,000 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 380 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 2,000 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 850 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Mar 2004 £1,314 Christie's
Nov 2002 EUR 1,375 Leitz Auction
Aug 2000 £446 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Plaubel Makinette worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results place the Plaubel Makinette's worth between roughly £380 and £2,000, with a median around £850. Clean, fully working examples tend to sit in the upper half of that range.

How much does a Plaubel Makinette sell for at auction?

Across eleven tracked UK saleroom results the Makinette has sold for figures from about £380 up to £2,000 at the hammer. The price depends heavily on condition, completeness of original fittings, and whether the shutter is working correctly.

What affects the value of a Plaubel Makinette?

Shutter function, lens clarity, bellows integrity, and originality of the covering and controls have the largest influence on price. Cameras needing service or showing cosmetic wear typically sell for a fraction of what a clean, working example achieves.

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