Sanei Sangyo Samocaflex 35
The Samocaflex 35 is a Japanese 35mm twin-lens reflex camera produced by Sanei Sangyo in the 1950s. It was an unusual entrant in a TLR market dominated by 6×6 medium-format designs, applying the twin-lens layout to the smaller 35mm film format.
Sales evidence for the Samocaflex 35 is extremely thin: the only verified UK auction hammer result on file is £470 from June 2001, so a meaningful current-day price range cannot be established. As of today the camera is best treated as a scarce collector item whose value at saleroom level depends heavily on condition, completeness and the presence of bidders familiar with 35mm TLRs; what one sells for in 2026 could differ substantially from that single historical data point.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2001 | £470 | Christie's | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 33) Title: Samocaflex 35 no. 551004
Description:
Samocaflex 35 no. 551004 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Jun 1998 | £253 | Christie's | |
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Auction: LEICA AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 31) Title: Samocaflex 35 no. 552020
Description:
Samocaflex 35 no. 552020 Estimate: £25 - £60 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Samocaflex 35 worth today?
The only verified UK auction record on file is a £470 hammer price from 2001, and with no recent comparable sales a reliable current value cannot be quoted.
How much does a Samocaflex 35 sell for at auction?
Auction evidence is limited to a single historical result of £470, so the price a clean example sells for today will depend largely on condition and bidder interest on the day.
Why is the Samocaflex 35 collectable?
It is one of relatively few twin-lens reflex cameras built for 35mm film rather than medium format, which gives it scarcity value among TLR and Japanese camera collectors.