Showa Kogaku Leotax F (1954: Showa Optical)
The Leotax F is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1954 by Showa Optical Works (Showa Kogaku), part of the Leotax line of Leica screw-mount bodies built in postwar Japan. It used the M39 thread mount and was positioned as a domestic alternative to imported Leica rangefinders of the period.
With only two recorded UK auction hammer results to draw on, the picture in 2026 is thin: a 1999 Christie's sale at £299 and a March 2026 result of £81, giving a wide spread that reflects how condition and provenance drive what a Leotax F is worth today. Recent saleroom evidence suggests a clean working example sells for the lower-to-middle two-figure to low three-figure range, but the small sample means the price a given body fetches at auction can vary sharply.
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: March 2026
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Mar 2026 | £81 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 44) Title: A Showa Optical Works Leotax F Rangefinder Camera Body
Description:
chrome, 1954 type, serial number 543834, body G, usage marks to bottom plate, shutter works but speeds slightly fast, RF patch visible and moving. |
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| Mar 2026 | £50 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 45) Title: A Showa Optical Works Leotax F Rangefinder Camera Body
Description:
chrome, 1954 type, serial number 552831, body G-VG, light usage marks to bottom plate, shutter works, RF patch not visible. |
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| Apr 2024 | £160 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 101) Title: A Showa Optical Leotax F Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Showa Optical Leotax F Rangefinder Camera, red dial, serial no 552278, shutter working, rangefinder working, body G, light marks to base, light |
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| Jul 1999 | £299 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 51) Title: Leotax F no. 552406
Description:
Leotax F no. 552406 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leotax F worth today?
On the limited UK auction record, hammer prices have ranged from around £81 to £300, with condition and completeness the main drivers of value.
How much does a Leotax F sell for at auction?
The most recent UK hammer result was £81 in March 2026, while an earlier Christie's sale reached £299; the small sample makes a precise median unreliable.
Is the Leotax F a Leica copy?
It is a Japanese Leica-thread rangefinder built by Showa Optical in 1954 using the M39 screw mount, so it shares the lens-mount standard with contemporary Leica screw-mount bodies.