Voigtlander& Sohn Bessa R
The Voigtländer Bessa R is a 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Cosina under the Voigtländer brand from around 2000. It uses the Leica screw mount (M39/LTM), pairing a coupled rangefinder with a built-in light meter, and was positioned as an affordable entry point into rangefinder shooting with a wide choice of LTM lenses.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Bessa R have ranged from about £110 to £630, with a median near £390 based on the sales on file. These are saleroom results — wholesale levels rather than retail asking prices — and condition-sensitive: clean, fully working bodies with an accurate meter sell for noticeably more than cosmetically tired examples, and in today's market a tidy user-grade body tends to settle in the middle of that range.
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: May 2025
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| May 2025 | £361 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 57) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa-R Camera
Description:
comprising a Besssa-R body, black, VG, shutter works, rangefinder works, in maker's packaging. |
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| Mar 2025 | £106 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 241) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa RF Folding Camera
Description:
black, body G, opens and closes properly, shutter works, rangefinder patch not visible, yellow filter in place, 6x4.5 mask in place, with Skopar |
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| Jul 2023 | £420 | David Duggleby | |
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Auction: Maritime, Scientific Instruments & Cameras (Lot 3055) Title: Voigtlander Bessa-R rangefinder camera body, serial no. 00118622, with 'Voigtlander Nokton...
Description:
Voigtlander Bessa-R rangefinder camera body, serial no. 00118622, with 'Voigtlander Nokton... |
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| Mar 2022 | £625 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors sale (Lot 538) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa R Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, with Voigtlander Nokton Aspherical f/1.5 50mm lens, body, G-VG/E, shutter working, sticky back door, lens, VG, some very light internal haze, |
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| Dec 2021 | £310 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 417) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa R Rangefinder Body
Description:
black, serial no. 00101970, body, G-VG, shutter working |
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| Nov 2021 | £595 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 142) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa R Rangefinder Camera
Description:
2000-2002, black, serial no. 00118378, with Voigtlander Aspherical Ultron f/1.7 35mm lens, chrome, serial no. 9962007, body, VG, shutter working, |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Voigtländer Bessa R worth today?
UK auction hammer prices on record range from roughly £110 to £630, with a median around £390, so a working example in honest cosmetic condition typically sells for a mid-three-figure sum.
How much does a Bessa R sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom results fall between £106 and £625, with the price mainly driven by meter accuracy, shutter health and completeness of accessories.
What lens mount does the Bessa R use?
It takes Leica thread mount (M39/LTM) lenses, which is part of why the value holds up — buyers often pair the body with existing screw-mount glass.