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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.

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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: November 2025

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £362 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £322 Flints Auctions
May 2012 EUR 280 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 EUR 250 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 EUR 365 Leitz Auction

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.

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