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Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35

The Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 is a 35mm folding rangefinder camera introduced in the late 1940s, positioned as a compact precision-built model for amateur and enthusiast photographers in the postwar German camera market.

Sales data for the Contessa 35 is thin: a single tracked UK auction hammer result from January 2022 sold for £81, which gives a narrow reference point rather than a reliable median. As of today in 2026, that figure reflects wholesale saleroom pricing for one example and condition, so what a Contessa 35 is worth at auction can vary significantly with cosmetics, bellows integrity, and shutter function.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
Synchro Compur — — 0 —
Synchro Compur, gray — — 0 —
Tessar 50mm — — 1 £22 – £22
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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 USD 144 £108 🇺🇸 eBay —
Aug 2026 USD 29 £22 🇺🇸 eBay Tessar 50mm
Mar 2026 £25 £20 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Feb 2026 £56 £45 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jan 2025 £81 £65 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Feb 2024 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jan 2024 £56 £45 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jun 2023 £75 £60 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jan 2023 £100 £80 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Jan 2022 £81 £65 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Aug 2019 £20 £20 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions —
Nov 2008 EUR 120 £100 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2008 EUR 100 £83 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2005 EUR 240 £164 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2003 EUR 188 £134 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2002 EUR 625 £398 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
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Frequently asked questions

What is a Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 worth today?

Based on limited UK auction data, one tracked hammer sale realised £81, so current value sits in that region for an average example, though clean working bodies can sell for more.

How much does a Contessa 35 sell for at auction?

The single recorded UK hammer price in our data is £81, which gives a wholesale reference but is not enough to establish a firm market range.

What variants of the Contessa 35 exist?

Recorded variants include the Synchro Compur, a gray-covered Synchro Compur, and a Tessar 50mm version.

Other Zeiss Ikon cameras