The upcoming Wetzlar Digicam Auctions, scheduled for October 12, 2024, will characteristic an array of extraordinary and traditionally important Leica cameras, which will certainly draw the eye of collectors and images fanatics worldwide.
Among the many highlights is a groundbreaking mannequin from 1933/34, the primary Leica digital camera to make the most of an injection-molded shutter body. This digital camera is taken into account the precursor to later iconic Leica fashions such because the Leica IIIc and Leica IV. Notably, this uncommon piece incorporates a rear panel that opens upwards and a fold-out rewind crank—improvements that may not change into commercially accessible till the discharge of the Leica M3 in 1954!
The public sale home estimates that this distinctive digital camera may fetch between 300,000 and 400,000 euros (approx $330,000 – $440,000). However I think it can go for a cool million no less than!
(Picture credit score: Wetzlar digital camera public sale)
Injection-molded shutter body Leica from 1933/34 (Picture credit score: Wetzlar digital camera public sale)
One other standout merchandise is a Leica M3 prototype from 1953, certainly one of solely round 60 pre-models ever produced. With distinctive engravings, a singular winding lever, and a rear panel geared up with a movie marking pin, this prototype stays some of the sought-after items in Leica historical past. Complemented by an identical Summicron lens, this digital camera’s rarity and historic significance place its estimated worth between 150,000 and 200,000 euros, or $165,000 – $220,000. Once more I feel that is very under-priced and I can see this being a record-breaker one it involves be offered underneath the hammer!
The public sale can even characteristic an attractive Leica M2 in gray lacquer, certainly one of solely 20 ever produced in 1960 for a particular order by the American Air Power in Germany. This ultra-rare mannequin, which features a 4-frame viewfinder, is anticipated to draw important curiosity from collectors.
One other distinctive merchandise, The Leica M4 Christo “Wrapped Leica,” can even be up for public sale. This digital camera, initially utilized by photographer Wolfgang Volz to doc Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork tasks, was personally wrapped by Christo as a birthday present. Its creative and historic worth is mirrored in its estimated worth of 80,000 to 100,000 euros ($88,000 – $111,000).
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(Picture credit score: Wetzlar digital camera public sale)
(Picture credit score: Wetzlar digital camera public sale)
Past Leica cameras, the public sale can even characteristic a uncommon Canon EF 1:5.6/1200mm L lens, launched in 1993 and often called the world’s largest autofocus SLR lens. With manufacturing numbers believed to be fewer than 100 models, and probably as few as 20, this lens is a coveted merchandise for images professionals and collectors alike.
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Canon’s monster 1200mm f/5.6 L-series lens (Picture credit score: Wetzlar digital camera public sale)
The estimated worth for this piece of photographic historical past can also be set between 80,000 and 100,000 euros ($88,000 – $111,000). Nikon highlights, in the meantime, embody a 1976 320-1200mm f/ll tremendous telephoto lens with an estimate of 15,000-20,000 euros.
You may obtain a free PDF of the complete 170-page catalogue, and see the small print of all 248 heaps which are going underneath the hammer, and discover particulars on you too may bid for a chunk of photographic historical past.
