Leitz Photo to sell the rarest camera in the world at Leica Century event

Most of my work involves following the latest technological trends in the calculation, software and digital photography. However, occasionally makes a pleasant difference to see how far that technology has progressed.

Only such an opportunity was raised another day when I received a press release announcing that one of the world’s oldest and rarest film cameras is coming to auction on June 27, 2025, during the Leica Century event in Leica World in Hessen, Germany. This is where Leitz Pictureca’s auction house will present one of the most extraordinary parts in the history of photography.

The first produced serial Leica The camera was Leica I and revolutionized the world of photography and photoreporterism when it was launched 100 years ago. With its compact and useful format, Leica I enabled professional photographers and photo enthusiasts to capture more honest shots thanks to camera transportation and picture quality.

In 1923, two years before Leica I trade production, Ernst Leitz Werke had already worked in some prototypes. These so-called 0-still cameras had serial numbers ranging from 101-125. The existence of almost a dozen these prototype models is still known today.

As a milestone in the history of photography and marking the birth of photoreporterism, these rare cameras have now become coveted items of the collector. In 2022, the auction Leitz Photostica set a new world record when it sold the most expensive camera in the world. Series 0 with serial number 105 received € 14.4 million at auction.

Now, on the occasion of the anniversary celebrations in Leica Welt in Wetzlar, Auction Leitz Photostica has another 0-green Leica at auction on June 27, 2025.

Leica 0-series no. 112 is more than 100 years old and is one of the first 35 mm cameras ever produced. After her assembly, the camera was personally accepted by Oscar Barnack, head of the ERNST Leitz Werke Department. Shortly before World War I, Barnack had designed “Ur-Leica”-a camera that used the 35 mm film and was small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. This innovative design would continue to inspire the classic Leica I and its 0-green prototype.

While the original ‘UR-Leica’ is still owned by Leica Camera AG and is eventually not on sale, the passionate collectors of these vintage cameras occasionally get the rare opportunity to buy one of the wide models of series 0.

The demand for these early cameras is massive. The last three models with 0 series are all sold for auction for more than 2m € each. Leitz Photostica’s auction was after two of these record sales. However, in 2018, the auction house set a world record for the most expensive camera when sold series 0 with serial number 122 for € 2.4 million including the buyer’s premium. However, that record was shattered in 2022 with the sale of the serial number of the 0-series series, which received € 14.4 million at auction. To date, that camera Leica holds the world record as the most expensive ever sold.

“A series 0 for sale certainly attracts the attention of the international collector scene,” says Alexander Sedlak, Leitz Photostica’s auction manager. “These prototypes laid the foundations for modern photography. To auction such a legendary camera, the 100th anniversary of Leica I is a special pleasure. “

Series with 0 no. 112 is, which runs the highlights of Leitz Photostica 46’s auction, will appear before the public during the Milan design week. The top of the auction house will be exhibited at the Leica Milani store from April 4, 2025. The Auction Leitz Photostica will also show the additional highlights in the coming weeks, with a full auction catalog set to release in May 2025.

To find out more about this classic part of photographic innovation, visit www.leicashop.comAND https://www.leitz-seuction.com/en/