Zeiss Ikon Contax III
The Zeiss Ikon Contax III (544/24) is a 35mm rangefinder camera produced in Germany before the Second World War, positioned as the top-tier model in the pre-war Contax line with a built-in selenium meter mounted above the viewfinder. It used the Contax bayonet mount and competed directly with Leica's screw-mount rangefinders in the professional market.
At UK auction in recent years, hammer prices for the Contax III (544/24) have ranged from about £30 to £160, with a median near £85 — wholesale saleroom results that exclude buyer's premium. As of 2026, what a Contax III is worth today depends heavily on cosmetic condition, shutter function and whether the selenium meter still responds; non-working meters and hazy finders push examples toward the lower end of that range, while clean, functional bodies sell for more.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| German Navy (Kriegsmarine) | — | — | 0 | — |
| Jena Contax | — | — | 0 | — |
| outfit case | — | — | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | £119 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 71) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
silver, serial number M37561, rangefinder patch works, shutter works but is not accurate, light meter not responding, has a Zeiss-Opton Sonnar f/1.5 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2024 | £30 | Harper Field Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1427) Title: Zeiss Ikon Contax III 35mm rangefinder camera fitted with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:2 f=5cm T lens,
Description:
Zeiss Ikon Contax III 35mm rangefinder camera fitted with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:2 f=5cm T lens, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2024 | £250 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 147) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Kiregsmarine Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Kiregsmarine Rangefinder Camera, no serial number visible, shutter not working, light cell responsive, rangefinder working, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2024 | £30 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 460) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Camera and Soviet Lenses
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Camera and Soviet Lenses, shutter not working, light cell unresponsive, body F-G, with Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2,, two FED 52mm f/2. |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jun 2024 | £100 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 155) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera, shutter working, slow to close in bulb, light cell unresponsive, rangefinder working, self timer working, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2023 | £50 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 163) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera, shutter not working/sticking, meter responsive, rangefinder functions, body G, retro fit sync socket |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2023 | £70 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 164) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera, shutter working, sluggish to return in bulb. meter responsive, self time not firing shutter, body G, some |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2023 | £125 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 114) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1936-42, chrome, serial no. G8455, with a Carl Zeiss Jena f/2 5cm collapsible lens, 1938, serial no. 2520855, shutter working, body G, lens G, slight |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2021 | EUR 8,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 39 (Lot AI_39_39833) Title: Contax III Jena prototype
Description:
An extremely rare VEB Carl Zeiss Jena variant of the Contax III. Only a few of these cameras have been made and this is the first time in over 20 years we have a pleasure to offer one in our auction. The camera is in beautiful, near-mint condition, shows all original features (like the heavy camera back), it is engraved with the same serial number 18246 on the flash shoe, on the chassis and on the camera back. Comes with a matching 1948 T Sonnar 2/5cm no.3094506, uncommon lens cap and original Jena post-war eveready case. It is an important historical camera and one of the rarest Zeiss collector's items. Estimate: EUR 12,000 - EUR 14,000 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Apr 2019 | £156 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 285) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Contax III Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1936-42, chrome, serial no. G12176, with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar f/1.5 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 2136014, body, G, shutter sticking, lens, G-VG, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Mar 1998 | £552 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 261) Title: Contax III no. F75165
Description:
Contax III no. F75165 Estimate: £250 - £300 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||