Showa Kogaku Leotax Special D III
The Leotax Special D III is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Showa Kogaku in the post-war era, following the Leica screw-mount tradition that several Tokyo workshops adopted in the late 1940s and 1950s. It was positioned as a domestic alternative to imported Leica bodies.
Auction data for this model is extremely thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result of £769 in 2021 is the only verified data point we have, so any sense of what one is worth today rests on that lone figure rather than an established range. Because this is a wholesale auction price excluding commission, retail asking levels for a comparable example would typically sit higher, and confirmed value for the Special D III in 2026 should be treated as provisional until further sales appear.
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: April 2021
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2021 | £769 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 131) Title: A Showa Kogaku Leotax Special D III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1947, chrome, serial no. 5832, with Letana Anastigmat f/3.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 10146, body, G-VG, shutter working, slow speeds sticking, |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leotax Special D III worth today?
Based on the only verified UK auction record we hold, one example sold for £769 at hammer in 2021; with just one data point, a reliable current price cannot be stated.
How much does a Leotax Special D III sell for at auction?
The single recorded sale price in our data is £769, which is a wholesale hammer figure before buyer's premium rather than a retail value.
Is the Leotax Special D III a Leica copy?
It is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder built in the Leica screw-mount tradition by Showa Kogaku, so it shares the general layout of that lineage rather than being a direct clone of any one Leica model.