Rodenstock 120mm f/4.5 Imagon A
The Rodenstock Imagon 120mm f/4.5 is a soft-focus portrait lens in the Imagon A series, designed to be used with interchangeable perforated aperture discs (sink strainers) that control the balance between sharp core image and diffused halation. It was aimed at portrait and pictorial photographers working on medium and large format, and remains sought after today for its controllable soft-focus rendering rather than conventional resolution.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the 120mm Imagon A have ranged from £130 to £380, with a median around £300 across the three sales on record. As of 2026, clean examples complete with their original disc set tend to sell for the upper end of that range, while incomplete or cosmetically tired copies are worth closer to the £130 floor — these are saleroom results, so dealer retail on a fully serviced lens typically sits higher than the price a bidder pays on the hammer.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | EUR 380 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01299) Title: Rodenstock Tiefenbildner-Imagon 4.5/12cm
Description:
Unusual lens in 55mm screw mount, in almost mint condition, clean and clear optics, with 3 perforated discs, yellow filter, front lens cap and maker's box. Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Aug 2024 | £130 | Special Auction Services | |
|
Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 243) Title: A Rodenstock Imagon H=45 f=120mm (120mm f/4.5) A Lens
Description:
A Rodenstock Imagon H=45 f=120mm (120mm f/4.5) A Lens, with H=58 H=77, H=7.7 H=9.5 diffusers, 2x yellow filter, barrel G, elements G-VG |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| Jun 2023 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41640) Title: Rodenstock f. Nikon Imagon 4.5/120mm
Description:
famous soft-focus lens in mint condition, clean and clear optics, in Nikon mount, with 3 multiple-hole aperture discs and ND filter, both caps, instructions, papers and maker's box (cond. B/A) Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
| May 2023 | £338 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 202) Title: A Rodenstock Imagon A f/4.5 120mm Lens Set
Description:
m42 screw mount, chrome, serial no. 2704565, body, VG-E, elements, VG-E, including three diffusion inserts and two yellow filters, complete with |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||