Voigtlander& Sohn Bessa Rangefinder (RF, E-Messer)
The Voigtländer Bessa RF (E-Messer) is a folding medium-format rangefinder camera produced in Germany in the 1930s. It is the coupled-rangefinder variant of the Bessa folding series, taking 6×9 exposures on 120 roll film, and was positioned above the plain viewfinder Bessa models when new.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Bessa RF have ranged from £44 to £420, with a median close to £93. Condition drives the spread: a clean example with working rangefinder and pinhole-free bellows has sold for £220–£420 at saleroom level, while a rough body with collapsed bellows or a hazy finder sells for under £65. Values in 2024–2026 have clustered tightly at £60–£62 today, noticeably softer than the £300–£420 auction results seen over a decade ago.
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
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| Jan 2026 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 265) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa RF Folding Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, body F-G, difficult to open due to bent arm, RF patch works, shutter needs attention., with leather case. |
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| Sep 2025 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 277) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa RF Folding Camera
Description:
black, serial number H557439, body G, focus and RF work, shutter works, with f/3.5 10.5cm Helomar lens, optics G |
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| Aug 2024 | £60 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 279) Title: A Voigtländer Bessa RF Folding Camera
Description:
A Voigtländer Bessa RF Folding Camera, 1947, shutter working, rangefinder working, body G, with Skoper 10.5cm f/3.5 lens, elements G-VG |
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| Aug 2023 | £44 | £35 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 264) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa RF Medium Format Folding Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, body F-G, signs of wear & tear, corrosion to leatherette, RF bright & clear, together with Helomar f/3.5 105mm lens, optics G-VG, some light (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2023 | £220 | £220 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 511) Title: Two Rangefinder Folding Cameras
Description:
Two Rangefinder Folding Cameras, a Voigtländer Bessa RF, shutter not cocking, rangefinder functions, body F-G,with 10.5cm f/3.5 Heliomar lens, |
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| Jan 2021 | £124 | £100 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras, Scientific & Collectables (Lot 466) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa RF Medium Format Camera
Description:
black, with Heliar f/3.5 105mm lens, body, G, shutter sticks on slow speeds, lens, VG, slight dust and haze, comes with Voigtlander Vito, and a (Qty: 1) |
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| Nov 2018 | £204 | £170 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1200) Title: A Voigtlander Bessa Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1935, black, with Voigtlander Color-Heliar f/3.5 105mm lens, serial no. 2800445, body, VG, lens, VG-E, shutter working, complete with 4.5x6 mask, in |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 300 | £237 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30672) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
6x9cm Bessa with coupled rangefinder, very rare model with Color-Heliar 3.5/105mm no.2800030 in Compur-Rapid shutter, this camera was produced between 1947-1949 in very small quantities with Bessa I parts and the new coated Color-Heliar Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 220 | £183 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_29765) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
excellent 6x9cm Bessa with coupled rangefinder, with Helomar 3.5/10.5cm no.1075965 in Compur-Rapid shutter, attached yellow filter, mask for 4.5x6cm, case Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 260 | £230 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18574) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
excellent 6x9cm Bessa with coupled rangefinder, with Helomar 3.5/10.5cm no.1075965 in Compur-Rapid shutter, attached yellow filter, mask for 4.5x6cm, case Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 420 | £371 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18575) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
near mint 6x9cm Bessa with coupled rangefinder, with Skopar 3.5/10.5cm no.2727231, attached yellow filter, mask for 4.5x6cm, case Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 350 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 160 | £127 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16905) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
6x9cm, with coupled rangefinder, Skopar 3.5/10.5cm no.1092707 in Compur-Rapid shutter, Moment yellow filter, in very good condition Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 290 | £198 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26897) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
6x9cm, Bessa with rangefinder in top condition, mask for 4.5x6cm, Heliar 3.5/10.5cm no.1078637, Compur-Rapid, yellow filter, case Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 400 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 400 | £274 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_24906) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
6x9cm with coupled rangefinder, colour-Heliar 3.5/105mm in Compur-Rapid, the camera was produced in 949 in very small quantities with Bessa I parts and the new coated Heliar, case, various photocopies Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 125 | £87 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24189) Title: Voigtländer Bessa RF
Description:
6x9cm, superb condition with Skopar 3.5/10.5cm in Compur-Rapid shutter, coupled rangefinder, in very nice technical condition, case Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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| May 2001 | £152 | £129 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 276) Title: Bessa RF camera
Description:
Bessa RF camera Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| May 2001 | £329 | £280 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 277) Title: Bessa RF camera
Description:
Bessa RF camera Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Voigtländer Bessa RF worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices fall between £44 and £420, with a median close to £93. Most 2024–2026 results have sat at £60–£62.
How much does a clean Bessa RF sell for at auction?
Examples with working coupled rangefinder and clean bellows have sold for £220–£420 at UK auction, though results at that level have become uncommon in recent years.
What is the difference between the Bessa and the Bessa RF?
The RF (E-Messer) designation indicates the coupled-rangefinder version of the folding Bessa, distinct from the simpler viewfinder-only Bessa variants.