Auctioned for CHF 15 million
This ancient Leica is the most expensive camera in the world
A nearly 100-year-old Leica camera has broken the world record and is the most expensive camera in the world. The prototype of modern photography bought 14.4 million euros at auction, the equivalent of 15 million Swiss francs.
Published: 06/12/2022 at 04:21
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Updated: 06/12/2022 at 09:32
It’s a prototype: the Leica No. 105 of the 0 series. And the 35mm camera is considered a milestone in modern photography. On Saturday, the piece broke the world record for the most expensive camera of all time. The previous record holder – also a Leica of the 0 series – was auctioned off in 2018 for 2.4 million euros.
For the 20th anniversary of the Leitz Photographica Auction, which takes place twice a year, featured an extraordinary exhibit: the almost 100-year-old Leica went under the hammer – one of the first 35mm cameras ever made. In the years 1923 and 1924 probably 23 prototypes of this camera were made.
Vintage very much in demand
No. 105 of the 0 series belonged personally to Oskar Barnack (1879–1936), who is credited with inventing the 35 mm format. According to the auction house in Wetzlar, Germany, the world record sum demonstrates the continuous trend of recent years: “Prices are rising,” quotes the camera manufacturer Leica the auction house. «Interest in vintage cameras is greater than ever before.» (kes)
