Zeiss Ikon Contax I
The Zeiss Ikon Contax I is a 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1932 as Zeiss Ikon's competitor to the Leica II. It used a vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter and the Contax bayonet lens mount, positioning it at the top of the pre-war interchangeable-lens rangefinder market.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Contax I have ranged from about £140 to £200, with a median around £200 — wholesale saleroom levels rather than retail asking prices. As of today in 2026, what a Contax I is worth at auction depends heavily on shutter function and cosmetic condition, since many surviving bodies have non-working shutters that pull the price down. A clean, working example with an original Zeiss Carl Zeiss Jena lens typically sells for more than a body-only lot.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (demo) | — | — | 0 | — |
| a | — | — | 3 | £200 – £625 |
| a (dummy) | — | — | 0 | — |
| b | — | — | 1 | £350 – £350 |
| b (chrome) | — | — | 0 | — |
| c | — | — | 0 | — |
| c (China) | — | — | 0 | — |
| c (dummy) | — | — | 0 | — |
| d | — | — | 1 | £200 – £200 |
| e | — | — | 1 | £240 – £240 |
| e (China) | — | — | 0 | — |
| e (outfit) | — | — | 0 | — |
| f | — | — | 0 | — |
| f (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.
Prices updated: June 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | £81 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 158) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax 1(f) Rangefinder Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number A20998, body F-G, shutter fires, RF patch not visible, with leather case. |
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| May 2026 | £180 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 148) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ia Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ia Rangefinder Camera, serial no AV 10318, one pimple bellow focus wheel, shutter working/sluggish, rangefinder working, body F-G, |
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| May 2026 | £50 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 176) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera Body
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera Body, serial no Y 32824, shutter working, rangefinder working, body P-F, paint scratches, wear & brassing, |
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| May 2026 | £70 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 172) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera, serial no Y 32888, shutter fires, top part of shutter curtain not falling, rangefinder working, body G, |
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| May 2026 | £180 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 175) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera, serial no Z 82170, shutter working, rangefinder working, body G, some slight paint wear to edges, with |
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| Apr 2025 | £200 | Flints Auctions | d | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 150) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax 1d Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial number X31137, body F, shutter works at some high speeds, sticks at slow speeds, iris works, with a Sonnar F2 5cm lens, barrel G, |
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| Nov 2024 | £625 | Flints Auctions | a | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 138) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ia Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, black, serial no. AU79262, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 50mm lens, black/nickel, serial no. 1293517, body, VG, shutter requires |
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| Oct 2024 | £350 | Flints Auctions | b | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 58) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax 1a Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial number AV31482 stamped on the back cover, and overstamped with serial number AU 65883PP on the body, body F-G, some paint loss to lower |
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| Oct 2024 | £200 | Flints Auctions | a | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 101) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax 1a Camera
Description:
black, serial number V31288, body G, shutter works, advance works, iris works, with the extended advance knob for cold environments, rangefinder |
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| Oct 2024 | £420 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1428) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I 35mm rangefinder camera, serial numnber V37324, circa 1933/4, with Zeiss
Description:
Zeiss Ikon Contax I 35mm rangefinder camera, serial numnber V37324, circa 1933/4, with Zeiss |
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| Oct 2024 | £190 | Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 134) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera, serial no X 61665, shutter cocks & fires, bottom half of shutter not present, range finder functions, body |
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| Sep 2024 | £250 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 35) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax If Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial number Z69490, body F, some paint wear, shutter not opening properly, with Tessar f3.5 5cm lens, serial number 2079960, barrel G, |
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| Jun 2024 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 105) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, 1934/5, serial no.Y34558, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/2 5cm (50mm) lens, 1935, serial no.1605825, shutter jammed, body P-F, heavy |
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| Jun 2024 | £112 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 106) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, 1933/34, serial no.V36312, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 5cm (50mm) lens, 1932, serial no.1371693, shutter not working, body F, lens F, |
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| Jun 2024 | £1,025 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 120) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I(c) 35mm Rangefinder Camera and Lenses
Description:
black, 1932-36, serial no.AU21576, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 5cm (50mm) collapsible lens, serial no.1309155, shutter working, body G-VG, |
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| Jun 2024 | £275 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 102) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I(a) Rangefinder 35mm Camera
Description:
black, 1936, serial no.AU79011, "single pimple", with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 5cm lens, serial no.1371483, shutter not working, focusing wheel |
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| Jun 2024 | £212 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 114) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I(b) 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, 1933/34, serial no.V.32858, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 5cm (50mm) collapsible lens, serial no.1274793, shutter working but film |
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| Jun 2024 | £900 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 119) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I(c) 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, circa 1933, serial no.U54843, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 5cm (50mm) lens, shutter working, rangefinder patch moving but faint, body G- |
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| Jun 2024 | £262 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 104) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, 1933/34, serial no.V32487, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 5cm (50mm) lens, 1935, serial no.1660699, shutter not working, body G, lens F, |
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| Jan 2024 | £238 | Flints Auctions | a | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 78) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I(a) Rangefinder 35mm Camera
Description:
black, 1932, serial no.AU49011, "single pimple", with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 50mm lens, 1931, serial no.1274928, shutter not working, |
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| Nov 2023 | £138 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 204) Title: * A Zeiss Ikon Contax I Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial no. V32146, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/2 50mm lens, body, P-F, shutter sticking, lens, F-G, some internal haze, in maker's case |
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| Mar 2023 | £200 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 55) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I Rangefinder 35mm Camera
Description:
black, 1934, serial no.X31055, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/2 5cm lens, serial no.143657, shutter working, slow speeds unreliable, body F-G, |
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| Aug 2022 | £200 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 358) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I Rangefinder Camera
Description:
black, serial no. V36980, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 50mm lens, body, F, shutter requires attention, lens, G, some light cleaning marks and |
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| Feb 2022 | £140 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 435) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I rangefinder camera with Tessar 1:2.8 f=5cm lens, in brown leather case with
Description:
Zeiss Ikon Contax I rangefinder camera with Tessar 1:2.8 f=5cm lens, in brown leather case with |
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| Nov 2021 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 39 (Lot AI_39_39916) Title: Zeiss Contax I Version 1 'The 8th'
Description:
The 8th Contax ever produced (!), an extremely early Contax I in fully original and very good cosmetic condition and working order, with matching Tessar 3.5/5cm no.1302499 (1931), lens cap and maker's box Estimate: EUR 3,600 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Apr 2021 | £347 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 191) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax If Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, black, serial no. Z27034, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/3.5 50mm lens, nickel, serial no. 1294224, body, VG, shutter not working nor |
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| Nov 2020 | £347 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 307) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, single dimple, black, serial no. AV10613, with Carl Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 50mm lens, serial no. 1271466, body, VG, shutter not working, lens, G- |
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| Nov 2020 | USD 400 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2020 Auction Results (Lot 66) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I B with Zeiss 50mm Sonnar f2
Description:
Zeiss Ikon Contax I B with Zeiss 50mm Sonnar f2 |
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| May 2020 | £490 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 145) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera, 1932-36, black, serial no. Y29283, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 50mm lens, serial no. 144351, body, G- |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 300 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37434) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I
Description:
later version Contax I in excellent cosmetic condition, shutter sluggish, with Sonnar 2/5cm no.1502839 (cleaning marks, unusual front cap), custom leather case Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37245) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I Type 4 'For China'
Description:
4th version Contax I in very good condition, engraved on the back of the top plate with 'for China' in Chinese characters (original Chinese export camera), with rigid Sonnar 2/5cm no.1455043, in feet, back door engraved as the camera with two serial numbers: Y34124P and AU21747 Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Apr 2019 | £300 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 282) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ib Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, black, serial no. V32855, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 50mm lens, nickel, serial no. 1543305, body, VG, film advance not moving, |
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| Nov 2018 | £240 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1155) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax If Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, black, serial no. Y63853, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens, black, serial no. 1519897, body, G, shutter working, lens, G, some |
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| Nov 2018 | £240 | Flints Auctions | e | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 1154) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax Ie Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-36, black, serial no. V31251, with Carl Zeiss Sonnar f/2 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 1629401, body, G, shutter working, lens, G, some |
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| Oct 2017 | £336 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 76) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax If Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1932-1936, black, serial no. Z44322, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens, nickel, serial no. 1607059, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 20,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34060) Title: Contax I Prototype
Description:
Formerly unknown prototype of the Contax I camera. The camera has no series number and differs in many details from the later series model Contax I. The main difference is that it was made for the exclusive use of the Zeiss daylight spool film (with paper leaders on both ends) and lacks any device for rewinding the film (what later became the rewinding knob is a flat disc that only allows for checking the film transport but is unsuitable for rewinding, and there is also no lever to disengage the film transport in the bottom of the camera back). The lens mount helicoid allows for near focussing up to 0,75m (as opposed to 0,8m in preseries and 0,9m in series models). The infinity stop release knob of the distance meter is situated centrally in the middle of the camera front (as opposed to its usual position next to the milled wheel of the coupled distance meter) and is differently shaped - it is broad and flat - while its function is exactly the same. There is no arrestor spring-catch for the lens, it seems that the lens was simply bayonetted into the mount without clicking home (the small screw that holds the lens in place must be a later addition). Unknown shape of the threaded shutter release button. The distance meter assembly is already of the series type (its mechanism is basically working, yet misaligned and needs repair). The shutter is running, but needs service as well. With unengraved Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f/3,5 Tessar - sensational new discovery of a original and unique Contax I prototype! Estimate: EUR 18,000 - EUR 20,000 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 1,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17624) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax I Micro Outfit
Description:
very rare outfit including stand for Contax with Contax I no.V.31312 (synchronized, shutter inoperable), prism attachment, Carl Zeiss Jena microscope no.286505, illuminator, mounted on original wooden board - a similar outfit is illustrated in Kuc I page 234 Estimate: EUR 1,300 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Mar 2007 | £216 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 298) Title: Contax I no. Y63485
Description:
Contax I no. Y63485 Estimate: £120 - £180 |
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| Jan 2007 | £240 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: The Ganz Collection of Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys & Pre-Cinema (Lot 28) Title: Contax I no. Z.27690
Description:
Contax I no. Z.27690 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Sep 2003 | £152 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 309) Title: Contax I no. V31429
Description:
Contax I no. V31429 Estimate: £150 - £250 |
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| Jun 2002 | £293 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 20) Title: Contax I no. AV10890
Description:
Contax I no. AV10890 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| May 2001 | £528 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 204) Title: CONTAX I NO. X62354
Description:
CONTAX I NO. X62354 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Aug 2000 | £188 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 237) Title: Contax I no. AU49810
Description:
Contax I no. AU49810 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| Nov 1998 | £218 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 108) Title: Contax I no. AV24118
Description:
Contax I no. AV24118 Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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| Oct 1998 | £172 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 213) Title: Contax I no. Z46826
Description:
Contax I no. Z46826 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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| Mar 1998 | £276 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 267) Title: Contax I no. Y64031
Description:
Contax I no. Y64031 Estimate: £300 - £350 |
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| Nov -0001 | £288 | Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 592) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax I (e) Rangefinder 35mm Camera
Description:
black, 1934, serial no. X77399, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/2 5cm lens, serial no. 1729911, 1936, shutter working, speeds not checked, body F, |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Contax I worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results sit between roughly £140 and £200, with the median around £200 for typical body or body-with-lens lots.
How much does a Contax I sell for at auction?
It sells for about £140–£200 at UK auction, with price driven mainly by shutter condition and whether a working Zeiss lens is included.
Why is the Contax I price lower than you might expect for a pre-war Zeiss?
Shutter faults are common and expensive to repair, so the value of many surviving examples reflects their status as display or project cameras rather than fully working users.