Zeiss Ikon Contaflex (TLR)
The Zeiss Ikon Contaflex (TLR) is a 35mm twin-lens reflex camera introduced in 1935. It was positioned at the top of the pre-war 35mm market, with interchangeable taking lenses and a built-in meter, and it sold in small numbers compared with contemporary Contax rangefinders.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Contaflex TLR have ranged from about £100 to £1,900, with a median around £800 — these are saleroom wholesale results and exclude buyer's and seller's commission. The market is highly condition-sensitive: a tired body with a seized meter sold for £101 in 2025, while complete outfits with extra lenses have fetched four figures. Values today still reward examples with working shutter speeds, clean finders and original accessory lenses, and a cased set is worth noticeably more than a body alone.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for China | — | — | 0 | — |
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.
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | EUR 1,600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02408) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR with Sonnar 2/5cm
Description:
Beautiful classic 35mm TLR camera in almost mint condition, light meter reacting but not accurate, later version with Zeiss Ikon logo on front, with Sonnar 2/5cm no.1659412, optics showing cleaning marks on the front element, finder lens 2.8/8cm no.1513901, with matching back, lenses cap and leather case. |
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| Oct 2025 | £101 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 247) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR for Spares or Repair.
Description:
Shutter firing, but not checked for accuracy. No lenses. One side flap reluctant to open, but present. |
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| Nov 2023 | £750 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 130) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 35mm TLR Camera
Description:
1935-38, chrome, serial no. Z42216, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 5cm lens, serial no. 1535224, body G-VG, shutter working at the time of the (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2023 | £725 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 95) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 35mm TLR Camera
Description:
1935-38, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 5cm lens, 1938, serial no.2269097, shutter appears to fire, not tested for speed change, body P-F, |
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| Nov 2022 | EUR 1,100 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40660) Title: Contaflex TLR
Description:
35mm TLR camera in very good condition, light meter reacting but not accurate, shutter not operable, early version without Zeiss Ikon logo on front plate, with Sonnar 2/5cm no.1730828 (showing some cleaning marks), with leather case Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Jun 2022 | EUR 1,500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 40 (Lot AI_40_40177) Title: Contaflex TLR
Description:
35mm TLR camera in very good condition and working order (light meter not responding), late version with Zeiss Ikon logo on front plate, with Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.1628722, lenses cap and leather case Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 3,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38756) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR outfit
Description:
A classic Zeiss 35mm TLR camera in beautiful, almost mint condition, including a Sonnar 2/5cm no.2211536 (good optics), near-mint Sonnar 4/13.5cm no.1758947 (good optics, box), also inc. metal cap, original leather case and German instructions, it is for sure one of the best examples of this rare camera we have seen Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,600 |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37247) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
classic 35mm TLR camera in very good original condition, working shutter (accuracy not tested), with Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.2227177 (good optics), original lens cap Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 1,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37491) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
classic 35mm TLR camera in good condition, small pieces on leather missing near the top, shutter needs attention, with Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.2270175 taking lens, original metal cap and leather case Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2018 | £960 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1152) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR Camera
Description:
1935, chrome, serial no. A50309, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 1660625, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some |
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| Oct 2017 | £984 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 74) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR Camera
Description:
1935, chrome, serial no. F84770, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 660432, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, one or |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 1,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34478) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
classic 35mm TLR, shutter not operable, meter reacting, good BL finder, Sonnar 2/5cm no.2211380 taking lens, original front cap Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 1,800 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_30238) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex
Description:
TLR for 35mm in unusually nice condition, shutter in working order (light meter not operable as usual), Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.1865519, cap, original maker's box, original plate adapter with 3 plates in case, very rare and original Contaflex cardboard display (12x18cm) Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 1,030 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18619) Title: Contaflex TLR outfit
Description:
beautiful outfit with very fine working camera, Sonnar 2/5cm no.1659412 (a few cleaning marks, clean lenses, meter scale), matching serial number in backdoor, clean Albada finder, Zeiss Ikon logo on front, cap, Sonnar 4/13.5cm no.1758929 (balsam fold, clean lenses, meter scale, cap), copy of instruction book Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17631) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
35mm TLR with Sonnar 2/5cm no.11659909 in used condition, shutter works, meter not working, matching serial number in back door, everready case, hood 1119 S40,5 Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17629) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
35mm TLR with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1459017 in fantastic cosmetically condition (with working shutter, meter is not functional), back door with matching serial number, cap, near mint everready case, a copy of the instructions book Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 1,400 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17628) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR 'For China'
Description:
very rare export version for China, engraved 'For China + Chinese symbols (for: Made in Germany) on back door, all export features original (serial number also outside on winding knob, engraved: Made in Germany, in Feet), the camera with working shutter, Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.1753829, 2 filters Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 11,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17630) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR outfit
Description:
extensive outfit including a very clean and good working camera with matching serial number in back door, Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.1754456 (cap), Sonnar 2/5cm no.2211413 (cap), Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1514307 (cap), rare Biogon 2.8/3.5cm no.2079222 in near mint condition (front and rare rear cap), 3.5cm finder attachment 436/17 (only very few of these finders are known to exist), Sonnar 2/8.5cm no.1631244 (cap), Triotar 4/8.5cm no.2041271 (cap), Sonnar 4/13.5cm no.1719996 (cap), rare lens hood, plate back 860/13, original instruction book, all in a fitted outfit case - all is in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 12,000 - EUR 14,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 950 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16648) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
classic 35mm TLR in excellent original condition, meter and shutter in good working order, Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.2186225, original cap Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 1,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16647) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
35mm TLR with Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.1628207, original front cap, meter not working Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 2,600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20664) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
classic 35mm TLR in fantastic, original condition, shutter in perfect working order, Sonnar 1.5/5cm no.2077062, original filter, everready case in perfect condition, rare original instructions book Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,200 |
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| Feb 2006 | £1,920 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment including the Property of a Photographer (Lot 200) Title: Contaflex TLR no. Z42204
Description:
Contaflex TLR no. Z42204 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 1,550 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25727) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex
Description:
TLR for 35mm in unusually nice condition, light meter in working order, shutter slow, Sonnar 2/5cm no.1659504, cap, original ever-ready case stamped with the name: J.FEURER-LACROIX GENEVE, copies of instructions and manuals Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,200 |
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| Nov 2005 | £504 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 255) Title: Contaflex twin-lens no. A49686
Description:
Contaflex twin-lens no. A49686 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Feb 2004 | £717 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MAGIC LANTERNS (Lot 129) Title: Contaflex twin lens no. A46005
Description:
Contaflex twin lens no. A46005 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 1,146 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22640) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
Tessar 2,8/5 cm. Nr. 1535252 "feet" ! Estimate: EUR 1,937 - EUR 49,633 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 1,375 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22639) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR
Description:
Sonnar 1,5/5 cm. Nr. 2016062 m. Tasche. Estimate: EUR 1,935 - EUR 84,971 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 1,667 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_21765) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex + 1.5/5cm Sonnar
Description:
TLR Contaflex in fine and fully working condition, Sonnar 1.5/5cm no. 1607269, cap, case Estimate: EUR 1,936 - EUR 46,467 |
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| Nov 2001 | £822 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 398) Title: Contaflex TLR no. A50126
Description:
Contaflex TLR no. A50126 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Nov 1999 | £747 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 399) Title: Contaflex Twin Lens no. Y.8455
Description:
Contaflex Twin Lens no. Y.8455 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 1998 | £805 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 114) Title: Contaflex TLR no. A49741
Description:
Contaflex TLR no. A49741 Estimate: £700 - £900 |
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| Jul 1998 | £805 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 293) Title: Contaflex twin lens no. A.49964
Description:
Contaflex twin lens no. A.49964 Estimate: £700 - £1,000 |
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