Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18 Night Biotar
The Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18 is a compact German strut-folding camera for 127 roll film, introduced in the early 1930s. The Night Biotar variant was the top-tier configuration of the Kolibri line, fitted with a fast Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar lens intended for low-light photography, which positioned it at the premium end of the small-format folding market when new.
UK auction data for the Night Biotar version of the Kolibri is extremely thin: a single recorded hammer result of £800 from 2018 is the only data point available, so a meaningful price range cannot be drawn. Hammer prices at saleroom level reflect wholesale value rather than dealer retail, and as of today buyers should expect figures for clean, working Night Biotar examples to remain at the upper end of the Kolibri family because of the fast lens. Condition, lens clarity and shutter function are the dominant factors in what this camera sells for.
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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | EUR 1,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02212) Title: Zeiss Ikon Night Kolibri
Description:
Rare Night Kolibri with fast Biotar 2/4.5cm no.1364571, good optics only showing a few light cleaning marks, complete set with a detachable stand, lens cap, 3x color filters (with maker's boxes), negatives album, French instructions and papers, with maker's box (top missing). |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 700 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37251) Title: Zeiss Ikon Night Kolibri
Description:
rare Night Kolibri with fast Biotar 2/4.5cm no.1383988, with removable stand, in excellent original condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36084) Title: Zeiss Ikon Night Kolibri
Description:
rare Night Kolibri with fast Biotar 2/4.5cm no.1364703, with removable stand, in very fine original condition, original instructions Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18 Night Biotar worth today?
Auction evidence is limited to a single UK hammer result of £800, so the worth of a clean working example sits around that level, with condition and lens quality driving the price.
How much does a Kolibri Night Biotar sell for compared to a standard Kolibri?
The Night Biotar variant typically sells for a clear premium over Kolibris fitted with slower lenses, because the fast Biotar is the scarcest and most sought-after lens option in the range.
Why is the value of this camera hard to pin down?
Only one verified UK auction sale is on record, which is not enough to establish a reliable price range; further sales are needed before a confident median can be quoted.