Showa Kogaku Leotax F
The Leotax F is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Showa Kogaku, part of the Leotax line of Leica screw-mount bodies made in Japan during the post-war era.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Leotax F have clustered around £300–£320, with a median near £310 based on the limited recent saleroom data available in 2026. These are wholesale-level results achieved in the auction market and exclude commission, so what a Leotax F sells for privately or through a dealer can sit higher; condition of the shutter and rangefinder strongly influences value.
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 2026
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Jan 2026 | USD 850 | £629 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | |
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Auction: 2026 Spring Results (Lot 257) Title: Showa Leotax F Nr. 255442 with 50mm Simlar f1,5 lens Nr. 150289
Description:
Showa Leotax F Nr. 255442 with 50mm Simlar f1,5 lens Nr. 150289 |
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| Nov 2025 | EUR 650 | £572 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02088) Title: Leotax F with Topcor 1.5/5cm
Description:
Beautiful Japanese Leica copy in good condition, showing a few traces of corrosion, with rare fast Topcor 1.5/5cm no.153466 with good optics only showing minimal cleaning marks. |
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 340 | £283 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01352) Title: Leotax F
Description:
Beautiful Japanese Leica copy in almost mint condition and working order, only showing few traces of corrosion, with Topcor 3.5/5cm no.570987 with good optics only showing minimal cleaning marks, with original front lens cap. Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Oct 2024 | £180 | £180 | 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1418) Title: Leotax F 35mm rangefinder camera, serial number 260601, with Komura 1:3.5 f=35mm lens, serial number
Description:
Leotax F 35mm rangefinder camera, serial number 260601, with Komura 1:3.5 f=35mm lens, serial number |
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| Oct 2022 | £250 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 121) Title: A Showa Optical Works Ltd. Leotax F Rangeinder Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 552831, with Leitz Elmar f/3.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 802149, body, G, shutter working but sticking slightly when depressed, |
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| Jan 2022 | £248 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 80) Title: A Leotax F Rangefinder Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 257241, with Canon f/1.8 50mm lens, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some light cleaning marks |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 320 | £278 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34114) Title: Leotax F
Description:
in beautiful, almost mint condition with near mint collapsible Simlar 3.5/5cm no.567567 Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Jul 2015 | £230 | £230 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive) | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica Day 1, Wednesday 1st July 2015 at 10:00 ( Lots 1-643) Day 2, Thursday 2nd July 2015 at 10:00 ( LOts 644-987) (Lot 981) Title: A Showa Kogaku Leotax F Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Showa Kogaku Leotax F Rangefinder Camera, chrome, serial no. 550028, with Tokyo Optical Topcor f/1.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 153432, body, G, shutter working, sticker applied to speed dial, lens, G-VG, some internal haze, with maker's lens cap Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 300 | £255 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_14864) Title: Leotax F
Description:
in almost mint condition with uncommon Topcor 2.8/5cm no.270649 (clean lenses), everready case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 650 | £571 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12485) Title: Showa Optical Work Leotax F
Description:
in good condition with rare Chiyoko Super Rokkor 2.8/5cm no.1503689 Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 300 | £237 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17415) Title: Leotax Camera Co. Leotax F
Description:
Leica copy in good condition with all-chrome Topcor-S 2/5cm no.210697 (condition B+), feet scale, cap Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 300 | £202 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15144) Title: Leotax Camera Co. Leotax F
Description:
in good condition with rare collapsible Hexar 3.5/50mm no.1321477 (condition B+) Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Apr 2003 | £176 | £150 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 116) Title: Leotax F no. 554921
Description:
Leotax F no. 554921 Estimate: £300 - £400 |
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| May 1999 | £230 | £200 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 102) Title: Leotax F no. 547931
Description:
Leotax F no. 547931 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Nov 1998 | £218 | £190 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 152) Title: Leotax F no. 256504
Description:
Leotax F no. 256504 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leotax F worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results place the Leotax F in the £300–£320 range, though price varies with cosmetic condition and shutter accuracy.
How much does a Leotax F sell for at auction?
Verified saleroom records show hammer prices of £300 and £320, giving a working median value of around £310 before buyer's commission.
Is the Leotax F a good buyer's camera?
It appeals to collectors of Japanese Leica-copy rangefinders; the price reflects scarcity rather than feature parity with later bodies, so buy on condition.