Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super
The Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced in West Germany during the 1960s as part of the Contarex series. It was positioned at the premium end of the market when new, aimed at professional and advanced amateur photographers who valued precision-engineered build quality.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Contarex Super have ranged from about £250 to £740, with a median close to £450 — these are wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer retail figures. Two 2025 sales landed at £250 and £400, suggesting that in today's market a clean, functioning body typically sells for somewhere in the mid-hundreds, while exceptional outfits with accessories have fetched more. Values are highly condition-sensitive: the price a Contarex Super is worth at auction depends heavily on cosmetic state, meter function, and whether original lenses are included.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 1 | £744 – £744 |
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: April 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Apr 2026 | £562 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 298) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, black, serial no. G39250, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, back, serial no. 4501068, body, VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some light |
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| Nov 2025 | £850 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 274) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. P53026, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/1.4 55mm lens, black, serial no. 4499341, body, VG, shutter working, some marks visible |
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| Apr 2025 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 193) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
chrome, body G, shutter working, some cleaning marks to mirror & dust / debris to finder, together with a Carl Zeiss Distagon f/2.8 25mm lens, body G, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jan 2025 | £250 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 103) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. 635322, with Carl Zeiss Tessar f/2.8 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4503325, body, VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some |
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| Jan 2025 | £400 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 105) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. P98164, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4802909, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, VG-E |
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| Jun 2024 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 535) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super 35mm Camera Body
Description:
silver, body VG, serial number 98371, shutter curtains do not close completely, speeds seem to be approximately right, meter untested, internal |
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| May 2024 | £812 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 190) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. P54470, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/1.4 55mm lens, chrome, serial no. 3339724, body, VG, shutter fires but mirror not |
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| Jul 2023 | £250 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Mini Fine Cameras & Instruments of Science (Lot 114) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Body
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. 34941, body, VG, shutter sticking slightly |
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| May 2023 | £375 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 151) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Body
Description:
1968-72, black, serial no. 38389, body, VG, shutter working |
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| Nov 2022 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 181) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. 634013, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4502365, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG-E Note: This |
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| Nov 2022 | USD 600 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2022 Results (Lot 111) Title: Zeiss Contarex Super with Zeiss 25mm Distagon F2,8
Description:
Zeiss Contarex Super with Zeiss 25mm Distagon F2,8 |
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| Aug 2022 | £175 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 420) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, body G, shutter working, focusing matt G but has some slight scratching present, with interchangeable film back, with dark slide Note: Lot (Qty: 1) |
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| Apr 2022 | £500 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 90) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1967, chrome, serial no. P97885, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4946543, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, VG |
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| Nov 2021 | £744 | Flints Auctions | black | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 241) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Body
Description:
1968-72, black, serial no. R52454, body, VG, shutter working Note: Lot imported under Temporary Admission. 5% UK import VAT will be charged on the |
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| May 2020 | £368 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 143) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera, 1968-72, chrome, serial no. G34880, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 4500383, body, VG, |
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| Oct 2019 | £456 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 299) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. G35198, with Carl Zeiss Planar 'Flash Matic' f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 3812989, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, |
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| Oct 2019 | £720 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 300) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. G34622, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/1.4 55mm lens, chrome, serial no. 3185611, body, VG-E, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some |
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| Oct 2019 | £600 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 301) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Outfit
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. G33573, with Carl Zeiss Planar 'Flash Matic' f/2 50mm lens, black, serial no. 2614397, body, G, shutter sticking, lens, F, |
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| Nov 2018 | £1,020 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1177) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super SLR Camera
Description:
1968-72, chrome, serial no. G37883, with Carl Zeiss Planar f/1.4 55mm lens, chrome, serial no. 3447038, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG-E, lens |
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| Nov 2006 | £1,200 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 424) Title: Contarex Super no. P54240
Description:
Contarex Super no. P54240 Estimate: £1,200 - £1,800 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 2,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26964) Title: Contarex Super Black
Description:
last series Contarex Super in black paint, 'ZEISS WEST GERMANY' logo, Planar 2/50mm no.4803399, very rare camera in mint condition (no guarantee for exposure meter) Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Mar 2004 | £597 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - THE PROPERTY OF A COLLE (Lot 15) Title: Contarex Super no. G39447
Description:
Contarex Super no. G39447 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Mar 2004 | £717 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - THE PROPERTY OF A COLLE (Lot 16) Title: Contarex Super no. R52241
Description:
Contarex Super no. R52241 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Nov 2002 | EUR 2,865 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 1 (Lot AI_1_21475) Title: CONTAREX SUPER schwarz + 2/50
Description:
Latest series Contarex Super in black, ZEISS logo, Planar 2/50, hood, scarce special Zeiss case, mint condition |
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| Sep 1999 | £632 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 183) Title: Contarex Super no. P53761
Description:
Contarex Super no. P53761 Estimate: £500 - £700 |
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| Sep 1999 | £368 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 182) Title: Contarex Super no. G37640
Description:
Contarex Super no. G37640 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Jul 1999 | £517 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 74) Title: Contarex Super no. G37525
Description:
Contarex Super no. G37525 Estimate: £450 - £550 |
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| Feb 1999 | £805 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 274) Title: Contarex Super no. P53696
Description:
Contarex Super no. P53696 Estimate: £600 - £800 |
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| Sep 1998 | £483 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 186) Title: Contarex Super no. G37812
Description:
Contarex Super no. G37812 Estimate: £20 - £350 |
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| Sep 1998 | £402 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 187) Title: Contarex Super no. G34518
Description:
Contarex Super no. G34518 Estimate: £20 - £350 |
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| Jul 1998 | £552 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 278) Title: Contarex Super no. G37637
Description:
Contarex Super no. G37637 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| May 1998 | £437 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 244) Title: Contarex Super no. G38976
Description:
Contarex Super no. G38976 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Contarex Super worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a Contarex Super is typically worth between about £250 and £740, with the median recent price around £450 for a body in working order.
How much does a Contarex Super sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom results show the Contarex Super sells for roughly £250 at the lower end for worn examples and up to about £740 for clean, fully functional bodies.
Does the black Contarex Super command a higher price?
Black-finish Contarex Super bodies are scarcer than chrome and can carry a premium when the finish is original, though the final value still depends on mechanical condition and meter function.
Why does Contarex Super value vary so much between sales?
Condition, meter accuracy, and whether the camera is offered with original Zeiss lenses heavily influence the price, which is why hammer results range from around £250 to over £700.