Showa Kogaku Gemflex (II)
The Showa Kogaku Gemflex (II) is a subminiature twin-lens reflex camera from post-war Japan, produced in the late 1940s to early 1950s when Japanese makers were building compact novelty cameras for the export and domestic markets. It is a small-format TLR aimed at users who wanted the waist-level reflex experience in a pocketable body.
At UK auction the Gemflex (II) is a thinly-traded collector item: recorded hammer prices range from about £250 to £360, with a midpoint near £310. Because these are saleroom hammer results rather than dealer retail, buyers paying through a shop in 2026 should expect to pay more than the figures the camera sells for at auction, and condition, completeness of case, and working shutter materially affect what an example is worth today.
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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £362 | £290 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 419) Title: A Showa Kogaku Gemflex II Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1949, chrome, serial no. 10886, body, G-VG, shutter working, leatherette missing in part to front and to waist level finder, lens, G-VG, some haze, |
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| Nov 2021 | £322 | £260 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 247) Title: A Showa Kogaku Gemflex II Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1949, chrome, serial no. 10886, body, F-G, shutter working, leatherette missing in places, lens, G, some haze, in maker's case Note: Lot imported |
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| May 2012 | EUR 280 | £225 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13671) Title: Showa Optical Gemflex II
Description:
subminiature TLR, 'Made in occupied Japan', second type in fine condition Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 250 | £168 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15588) Title: Showa Kogaku Gemflex II
Description:
Made in Occupied Japan", subminiature TLR for 14x14mm with original case Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 365 | £255 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24061) Title: Showa Kogaku Gemflex II
Description:
Made in Occupied Japan', subminiature TLR for 14x14mm with original hood Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Showa Kogaku Gemflex (II) worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £250 and £360, so a clean working example is worth somewhere in that range before buyer's premium and dealer margin.
How much does a Gemflex (II) sell for at auction?
The two recorded UK saleroom results show the camera selling for £250 and £362, giving a median price around £310.
Is the Gemflex (II) a good collector camera?
It appeals to collectors of Japanese subminiature TLRs rather than to users; values depend heavily on cosmetic condition, a functioning shutter, and the presence of the original case.