Voigtlander& Sohn Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
The Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar is a folding medium-format rangefinder camera producing 6x9 negatives on 120 roll film. It sits at the top of the post-war Bessa II range, distinguished by its 105mm Apo-Lanthar lens — the rarest and most sought-after factory option fitted to this body.
UK auction hammer results for the Bessa II Apo-Lanthar sit at the top end of the folding-camera market, with recorded sales of £3,250 (2023) and £4,000 (2019) — a range of roughly £3,300–£4,000 at saleroom level, wholesale of buyer's premium. With only two data points on file, the market is thin and heavily condition-dependent; as of today a clean, haze-free Apo-Lanthar example is what drives the price, and a cloudy or separated lens can halve the value. Prices are worth tracking carefully because the Apo-Lanthar variant sells for a large multiple of standard Bessa II bodies.
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: June 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2025 | EUR 3,400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01589) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
Famous 6x9 rangefinder camera, in near-mint condition and working order, with sought-after Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3670527 mounted in Synchro-Compur shutter (showing some corrosion and cleaning marks), with original leather case. Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Nov 2023 | £3,250 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 161) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa II APO-Lanthar Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1950/51, chrome, with Voigtlander APO-Lanthar f/4.5 105mm lens, chrome, serial no. 3623284, body, G-VG, shutter working, with swing over 645 mask on |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37443) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
sought-after medium format rangefinder camera in near mint and perfect working condition (some signs of use on the back covering), very good, clean Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3623280 in good working Synchro-Compur shutter, with Kontur finder (cond. B+), hood, original blue maker's box, leather case Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 7,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36627) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
sought-after medium format rangefinder camera in near mint and perfect working condition, clean Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3670658 in good working Synchro-Compur shutter, original leather case Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 5,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36938) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
sought-after medium format rangefinder camera in excellent and perfect working condition, clean Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3623144 in good working Synchro-Compur shutter, rare blue maker's box, mint lens hood, strap and instructions Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 4,600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30673) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
very rare and sought-after Bessa II with Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3670481 (clean lenses), in good working Synchro-Compur shutter, camera in beautiful condition Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 8,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_29018) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
very rare camera in perfect working condition, clean Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3670459 in good working Synchro-Compur shutter Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 2,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12653) Title: Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar
Description:
very rare and sought-after Bessa II with Apo-Lanthar 4.5/105mm no.3623125 (clean lenses, very few small thin cleaning marks on front lens element), in perfect working Synchro-Compur shutter, camera in beautiful condition, everready case Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Voigtländer Bessa II Apo-Lanthar worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit in the £3,300–£4,000 range, with the Apo-Lanthar lens variant commanding a substantial premium over standard Bessa II models.
How much does a Bessa II Apo-Lanthar sell for at auction?
Logged UK hammer results include £3,250 in 2023 and £4,000 in 2019, though the small sample size means individual condition has a large effect on final price.
Why is the Apo-Lanthar version so much more valuable?
The 105mm Apo-Lanthar was the rarest factory lens option for the Bessa II, and its scarcity plus its reputation among medium-format users mean it sells for several times the price of Color-Skopar or Color-Heliar equipped bodies.
What should I check before buying one?
Lens clarity is critical — haze, fog or separation in the Apo-Lanthar sharply reduces value — followed by bellows integrity, shutter accuracy and rangefinder alignment.