Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic
The Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic, also known as the Super Electronic (reference 10.2800), is a 35mm SLR introduced in 1968 as the final model in the Contarex series. It used the Contarex bayonet mount and was positioned at the top of the West German professional market, with through-the-lens metering and an electronically timed shutter.
At UK auction in 2024–2025, hammer prices for the Contarex Super Electronic have ranged from about £25 for a non-working body up to £500 for a clean working example, with a median around £240. As of 2026 the camera's value is highly condition-sensitive at saleroom level: bodies with working electronics and a matched Planar lens sell for the upper end of that range, while untested or faulty examples clear at wholesale levels well under £100.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
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| black | — | — | 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.
Prices updated: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Nov 2025 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 275) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera
Description:
1970-72, chrome, serial no. G36945, with Carl Zeiss Distagon f/2.8 25mm lens, black, serial no. 3971563, body, F-VG, corrosion to flash shoe area and |
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| Nov 2025 | £562 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 276) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera
Description:
1970-72, chrome, serial no. G36748, with Carl Zeiss Distagon f/2 35mm lens, black, serial no. 3693620, body, VG, shutter fires but sticking, lens, VG, |
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| Apr 2025 | £238 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 177) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic Camera
Description:
chrome, serial number R55037, body VG, not electrically tested, advance lever needs attention, with a Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, barrel G-VG, |
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| Apr 2025 | £200 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 196) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera
Description:
1970-72, chrome, serial no. G36981, with Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2 lens, chrome, serial no. 2370856, body, G, shutter not tested, lens optics G, (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2024 | £353 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 244) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera Outfit Serial No: 6 36617 Body: VG Shutter: Working Lens: Carl Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar (3701198) Carl Zeiss (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Aug 2024 | £25 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 250) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super Electronic SLR Camera Body
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super Electronic SLR Camera Body Serial No: R 55157 Body: P - corrosion to prism, accessorie shoe, and top plate Shutter: (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| May 2024 | £650 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 189) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera
Description:
1970-72, black, serial no. 36794, with Carl Zeiss Distagon f/4 35mm lens, black, serial no. 3703099, body, VG, shutter working, chrome base plate, |
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| Nov 2022 | £938 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 183) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Electronic SLR Camera
Description:
1970-72, black, serial no. R55848, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4072710, body, VG, shutter not tested, lens, VG, complete |
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| Nov 2022 | USD 2,600 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2022 Results (Lot 113) Title: Zeiss Contarex Electronic
Description:
Zeiss Contarex Electronic |
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| Nov 2022 | USD 1,250 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2022 Results (Lot 114) Title: Zeiss Contarex Electronic with Zeiss 55mm Planar f1,4
Description:
Zeiss Contarex Electronic with Zeiss 55mm Planar f1,4 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12699) Title: Contarex SE Schwarz
Description:
rare Super Electronic in black paint, Zeiss Ikon logo, in near mint and perfect working order, black Planar 2/50mm no.3812315, case Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Mar 2007 | £384 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 284) Title: Contarex Electronic no. G36118
Description:
Contarex Electronic no. G36118 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Nov 2004 | £657 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 248) Title: Contarex Electronic no. G37097
Description:
Contarex Electronic no. G37097 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Mar 2003 | £822 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 197) Title: Contarex Electronic no. G37213
Description:
Contarex Electronic no. G37213 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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| Jan 2000 | £632 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 322) Title: Contarex Electronic no. R55064
Description:
Contarex Electronic no. R55064 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Aug 1998 | £747 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 179) Title: Contarex Electronic no. G36433
Description:
Contarex Electronic no. G36433 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super Electronic worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices span roughly £25 to £500, with most complete working bodies selling for £200–£500 depending on cosmetic condition and whether a lens is included.
How much does a Contarex Electronic sell for at auction?
Median hammer price in 2024–2025 UK sales was around £240, though a clean 2025 example reached £500 and a faulty body went for just £25.
Why does the price vary so much?
The electronic shutter and meter are prone to failure, and with no factory service available the value of a tested, fully working example is several times that of an untested one.