Voigtlander& Sohn Vito III Prototype
The Voigtländer Vito III Prototype is a pre-production example of the Vito III, a 35mm folding rangefinder camera from Voigtländer & Sohn. As an unfinished or experimental version of a production model, it sits outside the standard Vito line and is encountered only as a one-off collector item rather than a regular-production camera.
Reference data for what a Vito III Prototype is worth is extremely thin: a single UK auction hammer result, recorded in March 2018, sold for £11,000. With only one wholesale saleroom data point on file, that figure should be read as an indicative ceiling for an exceptional prototype rather than a reliable market price in 2026, and the value of any individual example today will depend heavily on documentation, provenance and condition.
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 2019
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37464) Title: Voigtländer Vito III Prototype
Description:
The famous second Vito III prototype PR 2058 with rangefinder, fixed Ultron 1.9/5cm in Compur shutter no.7313406, green patterned leather covering, the camera is illustrated in 'Voigtländer Report 1' by Claus Prochnov on page 43! Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 11,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36293) Title: Voigtländer Vito III Prototype
Description:
Unique prototype with coupled rangefinder, fixed Ultron 1.9/5cm in Compur shutter to 1/500 sec., very similar to the prototype PR2058 illustrated in Prochnow 'Voigtländer Report 1' page 43, but with several notable differences like the large mounting plate for the lens (mounted instead the standard Vito III folding bed), green leather covering with vertical diamond pattern, different strap lugs etc., camera in excellent and fully working condition – the camera is illustrated in McKeowns Price Guide 12th Edition page 969 Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 9,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33418) Title: Voigtländer Vito III Prototype
Description:
The famous third Vito III prototype PR 2059 with rangefinder, fixed Ultron 1.9/5cm in Compur shutter to 1/500 sec., blue leather covering stamped 'Voigtländer' on the rear, the camera is illustrated in 'Voigtländer Report 1' by Claus Prochnov on page 43 - camera in fine and fully working condition, clean lenses Estimate: EUR 8,000 - EUR 10,000 |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 6,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_32968) Title: Voigtländer Vito III Prototype
Description:
the very first Vito III prototype PR 2057 with coupled rangefinder, fixed Ultron 1.9/5cm in Compur-Rapid shutter to 1/500 sec., black leather covering stamped 'Voigtländer' on the rear, the camera is illustrated in: 'Voigtländer Report 1' by Claus Prochnov on page 43 and 'Classic Camera 59 pages 3-7, a later prototype also with a 1.9 Ultron was sold in WestLicht auction May 2006 Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000 |
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| Mar 2004 | £2,390 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - THE PROPERTY OF A COLLE (Lot 125) Title: Vito III prototype
Description:
Vito III prototype Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Voigtländer Vito III Prototype worth?
The only UK auction hammer record on file shows one example selling for £11,000 in 2018, so a comparable prototype could realistically be valued in that region, but with just one data point the price for any specific example is highly provenance-dependent.
How much does a Vito III Prototype sell for at auction?
On the single recorded UK sale, a Vito III Prototype sold for £11,000 at auction (hammer price, before commission), which is the only firm price reference currently available.
Why is the Vito III Prototype so much more expensive than a standard Vito III?
Prototypes are effectively one-off pre-production cameras, so their value is driven by rarity and collector interest rather than by the everyday usability or specifications that set the price of a production Vito III.