The world record for the most
expensive camera was broken on Saturday when a prototype of the 1923 Leica
O-series sold for 2.16 million EUR (around AUD$2.78 million) at auction.
The rare camera was auctioned at the 21st
WestLicht Photographic Auction in Vienna, with the winning bidder choosing to
remain anonymous.
According to the auction program,
approximately 25 O-series cameras were made to test the market in 1923, two
years before the commercial introduction of the Leica A. The camera is said to
be in "excellent and fully working condition".
Twelve O-series cameras are known
to exist.
The previous record holder for
most expensive camera was another O-series Leica, which sold for 1,320,000 EUR (A$1,689,000)
in 2011.
Some of the 'cheaper' purchases at
the auction included a gold-plated Leica M3 which sold for 360,000 EUR (A$463,254),
a rare Leica 250FF for 120,000 EUR (A$154,414), and an Elcan 90mm f/1 lens, one
of 10 made for the US Navy, which sold for 228,000 EUR (A$293,402).
According to a statement from WestLicht 95
percent of camera lots were sold with a
total turnover of 5,351,000 EUR (A$6,886,000).
The world's most expensive camera, this 1923 Leica
O-series sold for 2.16 million EUR (around AUD$2.78 million) at auction on 12 May 2012. Autofocus and autoexposure are two of many features it doesn't offer. However, it does boast a full-size sensor!
What, no LCD? Film might be dead but the world's most expensive camera is analogue. The 1923 Leica
O-series camera from behind.
Twenty-five O-series cameras were made in 1923 with 12 known to be in existence today. Do you have one in the attic?
Side view of the 1923 Leica
O-series.
Top view of the world's most expensive camera, the 1923 Leica
O-series.
This Leica 250FF 'kit' sold for 120,000 EUR (A$154,414) in the May 12 auction. The camera was discovered by the daughter of the camera's first owner.
This remarkable Elcan 90mm f/1 lens was one of 10 made for the US Navy. It sold for 228,000 EUR (A$293,402) including the camera (military version KE-7A) and a special extension tube.