Showa Kogaku Leotax Cameras
Leotax cameras are 35mm rangefinders built by Showa Kogaku in Japan, produced in the years following the Second World War. The line consisted of Leica screw-mount bodies aimed at the domestic and export markets during the 1950s.
Sales data for Leotax cameras is thin, with a single UK auction hammer result of £99 recorded in 2021. With only one wholesale saleroom data point, today's price for a Leotax body is best treated as indicative rather than established, and what one sells for will depend heavily on the specific model and cosmetic condition.
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: January 2021
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Jan 2021 | £99 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras, Scientific & Collectables (Lot 190) Title: A Showa Optical Works Leotax Rangefinder Body
Description:
chrome, serial no. 30303, shutter working, slow speeds inaccurate |
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| Jul 2006 | £384 | £320 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras. The John Patrick Duigenan Collection (Lot 4) Title: Leotax no. 548477
Description:
Leotax no. 548477 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Nov 2004 | £262 | £219 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 224) Title: Leotax no. 256998
Description:
Leotax no. 256998 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Mar 2003 | £282 | £240 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 179) Title: Leotax no. 29307
Description:
Leotax no. 29307 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Jul 1998 | £1,610 | £1,400 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 165) Title: Leotax no. 257540
Description:
Leotax no. 257540 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leotax camera worth?
Based on the limited UK auction record available, a Leotax body has hammered at around £99, though the value of any individual example depends on the specific model and condition.
How much does a Leotax camera sell for today?
Public hammer data is sparse, with one recorded UK sale at £99; clean, working examples of scarcer variants can price higher, but reliable comparables are limited.
Who made Leotax cameras?
Leotax cameras were built by the Japanese maker Showa Kogaku and sold as Leica screw-mount rangefinders.