Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2
The Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 is a folding roll-film camera produced by the German maker Zeiss Ikon in the earlier decades of the twentieth century. It belongs to the medium-format folding category that was widely sold for general photography before 35mm equipment displaced it.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Icarette 551/2 have sat around £150 in the recorded sales, with both data points landing at that figure — so the working median and range today both centre on £150 at saleroom level. With only two results on file, condition of the bellows, shutter and leather covering tends to swing what any individual example sells for.
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: June 2026
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Jun 2026 | USD 180 | £135 | 🇺🇸 eBay | |
Title: ZEISS IKON ICARETTE 551/2 CAMERA
Description:
VERY NICE CONDITION with the 10.5cm Tessar lens. Good cosmetics. The only issue is that the back needs adjustment to stay tight to the camera. Location: Yellow Springs, OH, United States |
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| May 2025 | £25 | £20 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 168) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 Folding Medium Format Camera
Description:
black, body VG, opens and closes properly, shutter works, takes roll film and plates, with three plate holders, focusing screen and a rigid leather |
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| Jan 2015 | £45 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive) | |
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Auction: Express Camera Auction Tuesday 20th January 2015 at 10:00 (Lot 43) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 Camera, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/4.5 105mm, in case marked 'James A. Sinclair & Co.' Estimate: £20 - £30 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 150 | £133 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18633) Title: Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2
Description:
6.5x9cm for plates and roll film, sought after model, early export version with nickel fittings, Tessar 4.5/10.5cm no.1260163 in Compur-Rapid shutter, with fix mounted viewfinder 433/20, in good condition Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 150 | £105 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24041) Title: Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2
Description:
6.5x9cm for plates and rollfilm, sought after model, early export version in nickel, Tessar 4.5/10.5cm no.1260163 in Compur-Rapid, with finder 533/20, good condition Estimate: EUR 250 - EUR 300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 worth at UK auction today?
Recorded UK auction hammer results sit at around £150, though with only two sales on file the figure should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market price.
How much does a Zeiss Ikon Icarette 551/2 sell for?
The two logged hammer prices were both £150, so a clean, working example tends to trade near that value, with condition of bellows and shutter being the main swing factor.
What affects the value of an Icarette 551/2?
Bellows integrity, shutter accuracy, lens clarity and the condition of the body covering are the primary drivers of price for a folder of this vintage.