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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.

Prices updated: April 2026

Date Price Source
Apr 2026 £188 Flints Auctions
Sep 2023 £81 Flints Auctions
Jan 2021 £31 Flints Auctions
May 2011 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 180 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 220 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 220 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

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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