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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 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
Jan 2021 £31 Flints Auctions
May 2011 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 180 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 208 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 136 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 188 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 210 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 365 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 136 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 250 Leitz Auction
May 1999 £51 Christie's

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