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Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18

The Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18 is a compact strut-folding camera for 127 roll film, introduced at the start of the 1930s. It produced vertical 3×4cm negatives and was positioned as a pocketable precision camera, typically sold with Compur shutters and Zeiss-supplied lenses.

At UK auction, hammer prices for the Kolibri 523/18 have ranged roughly £31–£210, with most results clustering around £140–£210 and a median near £160 across the recorded sales. Condition is the dominant variable: tidy working examples with clean optics have reached the upper end of the range at saleroom level, while a rougher 2021 result of £31 shows how far the price can fall on cosmetically tired bodies. As of today, buyers assessing what a Kolibri 523/18 is worth should treat these wholesale auction figures as a floor rather than a retail guide.

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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: April 2026

Date Price Value GBP Source
Apr 2026 £188 £150 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Sep 2023 £81 £65 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2021 £31 £25 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
May 2011 EUR 200 £176 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 180 £150 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 220 £156 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 220 £150 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 250 £173 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 136 £94 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 365 £253 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 210 £145 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 188 £130 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 136 £94 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 208 £144 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 1999 £51 £44 🇬🇧 Christie's
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Frequently asked questions

What is a Zeiss Ikon Kolibri 523/18 worth today?

Recorded UK auction hammer prices sit between about £31 and £210, with a median around £160, so the value of a given example depends heavily on cosmetic and mechanical condition.

How much does a Kolibri 523/18 sell for at auction?

Clean, working bodies have sold for around £190–£210, while tired examples have sells-for figures as low as £31 at hammer.

Does the lens fitted affect the price?

Yes — variants supplied with higher-specification Zeiss lenses typically command a premium over those fitted with the simpler Novar optic, though the sales sample is small and condition still dominates.

Is the Kolibri 523/18 usable today?

It is, provided the shutter is running accurately and 127 film can be sourced; many buyers purchase at these price levels specifically to shoot the 3×4cm format.

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