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Zeiss Ikon Contarex Bullseye

The Zeiss Ikon Contarex (10.2401), commonly known as the 'Bullseye' for the prominent round selenium meter cell above the lens, is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced at the end of the 1950s. It was Zeiss Ikon's flagship SLR when new, built to a high mechanical standard and positioned at the premium end of the market against contemporary Leica and Nikon bodies.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Contarex 'Bullseye' body have spanned roughly £110 to £780, with a median around £340. As of 2026 the market remains condition-sensitive: clean, working examples with a clear meter sell for the higher figures, while bodies with seized shutters or dead meters are what a Bullseye is worth at the lower end of that range. A standout result of £775 in 2023 shows what a complete, presentable outfit can sell for, but most lots change hands closer to the median.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
black 0
Explosion 0

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: August 2026

Date Price Value GBP Source Variant
Aug 2026 £175 £140 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jul 2026 EUR 449 £383 🇪🇺 eBay
Jul 2026 £275 £220 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jul 2026 EUR 389 £332 🇪🇺 eBay
Jun 2026 £238 £190 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2026 £212 £170 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2026 £225 £180 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
May 2026 £300 £300 🇬🇧 eBay
Mar 2026 £300 £240 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Feb 2026 £262 £210 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2025 £176 £140 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions
Sep 2025 £375 £300 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £170 £170 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Mar 2025 £325 £260 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2025 £140 £140 🇬🇧 Tennants Auctioneers
Jan 2025 £202 £160 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions
Oct 2024 £180 £180 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Aug 2024 £125 £100 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £875 £700 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £250 £200 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2024 £110 £110 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £112 £90 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2024 £225 £180 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2024 £338 £270 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Sep 2023 £438 £350 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jul 2023 £340 £340 🇬🇧 David Duggleby
Jun 2023 £775 £620 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
May 2022 £500 £400 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Feb 2022 £360 £360 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions
Jan 2022 £223 £180 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2022 £140 £140 🇬🇧 David Duggleby
Apr 2021 £397 £320 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2019 £480 £400 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £240 £200 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £252 £210 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £360 £300 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £336 £280 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2017 £140 £140 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Jan 2017 £240 £240 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Jan 2017 £240 £240 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Feb 2016 £160 £160 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Oct 2015 £130 £130 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Oct 2015 £120 £120 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Oct 2015 £230 £230 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Oct 2015 £150 £150 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Jul 2013 £150 £150 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Mar 2007 £204 £170 🇬🇧 Christie's
Mar 2007 £216 £180 🇬🇧 Christie's
Nov 2005 EUR 2,600 £1,766 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2005 £360 £300 🇬🇧 Christie's
Mar 2004 £418 £350 🇬🇧 Christie's
Mar 2003 £1,057 £900 🇬🇧 Christie's
Sep 2002 £352 £300 🇬🇧 Christie's
Sep 2001 £293 £249 🇬🇧 Christie's
Jan 2001 £705 £600 🇬🇧 Christie's
Jul 1999 £299 £260 🇬🇧 Christie's
Feb 1999 £195 £170 🇬🇧 Christie's
Feb 1999 £115 £100 🇬🇧 Christie's
Feb 1999 £115 £100 🇬🇧 Christie's
Aug 1998 £287 £250 🇬🇧 Christie's
Mar 1998 £460 £400 🇬🇧 Christie's
Mar 1998 £402 £350 🇬🇧 Christie's
Nov -0001 £338 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Zeiss Ikon Contarex 'Bullseye' worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £110 and £780, with a median around £340 depending on cosmetic condition and whether the shutter and meter are working.

How much does a Contarex 'Bullseye' sell for at auction?

Typical hammer prices cluster in the £170–£440 band; tired bodies with meter or shutter issues sell for around £100, while clean working examples have reached the high £700s.

Why is the price range so wide?

Value is driven almost entirely by mechanical condition and the state of the selenium meter, since service for the Contarex is scarce — a working example commands a substantial premium over a non-functional one.

Why is it called the 'Bullseye'?

The nickname refers to the large round selenium meter window mounted above the lens, which gives the front of the camera its distinctive single-eye appearance.