Leica
1923 Null-Series
Intro
The Leica has propelled photography into the modern world. The idea was to provide a compact and handy camera using the 35 mm motion picture film.
In 1911 Oskar (Oscar) Barnack was hired by Leitz. Founded in the mid-19th century, the Optische Werke Ernst Leitz company established in Wetzlar specialized in precision mechanics for optical instruments.
In the development phase of the cinema, setting the exposure time was an issue. To test it Barnack has the idea in 1913 to insert a 35 mm flexible film horizontally in a still camera. He builds two prototypes of this Leca that will later be spelled Leica for Leitz Camera. The horizontal position makes it possible to use 8 perforations per frame instead of 4 for the vertical rolling in a movie camera. The 24 x 36 mm was born.
Until then the usual practice for positive photography had been the contact printing. Barnack loves hiking but he is sick and must avoid heavy equipment. He considers reusing his miniature 24 x 36 mm format. The positives will be achieved by enlargement. He makes a third prototype between 1918 and 1920.
Barnack convinces his boss Ernst Leitz II to continue this innovative experience. To evaluate the feasibility of a production and to test the market, Leitz authorizes in 1923 a small series of 31 cameras numbered from 100 to 130, the 0-Series (in German : Nullserie) of the Leica. It seems that some of these numbers were not finally used for an estimated total of 22 units. A dozen are surviving.
The 0-Series Leica has some improvements compared to its three precursors, including to allow loading and unloading the film in daylight. The lens cover is now essential for not fogging the film when arming.
Thus was born the 24 x 36 mm picture size, which was the most universally used before the digital image. Two years later, the Leica A opened the road of success to these "Leitz cameras".
Excellent lenses and robust mechanics enabled the photographers, amateurs and professionals, to easily realize quality images.
In 1911 Oskar (Oscar) Barnack was hired by Leitz. Founded in the mid-19th century, the Optische Werke Ernst Leitz company established in Wetzlar specialized in precision mechanics for optical instruments.
In the development phase of the cinema, setting the exposure time was an issue. To test it Barnack has the idea in 1913 to insert a 35 mm flexible film horizontally in a still camera. He builds two prototypes of this Leca that will later be spelled Leica for Leitz Camera. The horizontal position makes it possible to use 8 perforations per frame instead of 4 for the vertical rolling in a movie camera. The 24 x 36 mm was born.
Until then the usual practice for positive photography had been the contact printing. Barnack loves hiking but he is sick and must avoid heavy equipment. He considers reusing his miniature 24 x 36 mm format. The positives will be achieved by enlargement. He makes a third prototype between 1918 and 1920.
Barnack convinces his boss Ernst Leitz II to continue this innovative experience. To evaluate the feasibility of a production and to test the market, Leitz authorizes in 1923 a small series of 31 cameras numbered from 100 to 130, the 0-Series (in German : Nullserie) of the Leica. It seems that some of these numbers were not finally used for an estimated total of 22 units. A dozen are surviving.
The 0-Series Leica has some improvements compared to its three precursors, including to allow loading and unloading the film in daylight. The lens cover is now essential for not fogging the film when arming.
Thus was born the 24 x 36 mm picture size, which was the most universally used before the digital image. Two years later, the Leica A opened the road of success to these "Leitz cameras".
Excellent lenses and robust mechanics enabled the photographers, amateurs and professionals, to easily realize quality images.
1
No. 105
2022 SOLD for € 14.4M by Leitz Photographica
The No. 105 was the personal camera of Oskar Barnack who used it extensively until he switched to a Leica I-C with interchangeable lenses in 1930. It remained in his family until 1960. Some elements have been changed by its early users.
105 was sold for € 14.4M from a lower estimate of € 2M on June 5, 2022 by WestLicht renamed Leitz Photographica, lot 5. Documents and letters are joined to that lot that also includes a Nettel camera that Barnack heavily modified for his photographic research and development.
105 was sold for € 14.4M from a lower estimate of € 2M on June 5, 2022 by WestLicht renamed Leitz Photographica, lot 5. Documents and letters are joined to that lot that also includes a Nettel camera that Barnack heavily modified for his photographic research and development.
NEW WORLD RECORD! #Leica 0-series no.105 sold for:
— Leica Camera AG (@leica_camera) June 11, 2022
14,400,000 EUR (including buyers premium)
at the 40th #LeitzPhotographicaAuction
The 105 has thus broken the world record for the most expensive camera of all times! pic.twitter.com/3lTDQGUnpr
2
No. 112
2025 SOLD for € 7.2M by Leitz Photographica
According to the Leica delivery book, the No. 112 of the 0-Series was delivered new to Oscar Barnack.
It is graded B. Some pieces are missing on the covering and the pressure film plate has been replaced with a later version. The finish is well preserved and the inscriptions are readable.
It was sold for € 7.2M from a lower estimate of € 1.5M by Leitz Photographica on June 27, 2025, lot 8 here linked to the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
It is graded B. Some pieces are missing on the covering and the pressure film plate has been replaced with a later version. The finish is well preserved and the inscriptions are readable.
It was sold for € 7.2M from a lower estimate of € 1.5M by Leitz Photographica on June 27, 2025, lot 8 here linked to the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
3
No. 122
2018 SOLD for € 2.4M by WestLicht
In B+ condition the Leica 122 is one of the best preserved of the series. Its lens cover, folding viewfinder and paintwork are original.
It was sold for € 2.4M from a lower estimate of € 700K by WestLicht on March 10, 2018, lot 3 here linked to the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
It was sold for € 2.4M from a lower estimate of € 700K by WestLicht on March 10, 2018, lot 3 here linked to the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
2.9 million! The Leica 0-series camera of 1923 sold by Westlicht (@WestLichtVienna) for a record $2,952,670 https://t.co/4T3CGKW40C #antiques #antique #auction #camera #photo #photography #Leica #art #record pic.twitter.com/Sa6piIVrpY
— Maine Antique Digest (@AntiqueDigest) May 31, 2018
4
No. 116
2012 SOLD for € 2.16M by WestLicht
The serial number 116 graded B- was sold for € 2.16M on May 12, 2012 by Westlicht from a lower estimate of € 600K.
5
No. 107
2011 SOLD for € 1.32M by WestLicht
The Leica 107 in B- condition was sold for € 1.32M by WestLicht on May 28, 2011 from a lower estimate of € 350K. The image is shared by Reportages Photos.
1955 M3D
2012 SOLD for € 1.68M by WestLicht
The Leica M3D was a re-designed M3 which deviated from the serial version by accommodating a Leicavit rapid winder. This series of 4 units numbered 1 to 4 was made in 1955 specifically for David Douglas Duncan, a photojournalist working for Life magazine famous for his war views in Korea and Vietnam and for his work with Picasso.
The number 2 was sold for € 1.68M by WestLicht on November 24, 2012. Its rewind crank was probably added by Duncan.
The M3D was used by Leitz as a template for the commercial Leica MP.
A series of 16 M3D based on the Leica M-A, serialized from 5 to 20, was announced in 2014. The original M3D-2 narrated above is illustrated by five photos at the bottom of the page shared by La Vida Leica, also reproducing the 2012 post sale release of the auction house.
The number 2 was sold for € 1.68M by WestLicht on November 24, 2012. Its rewind crank was probably added by Duncan.
The M3D was used by Leitz as a template for the commercial Leica MP.
A series of 16 M3D based on the Leica M-A, serialized from 5 to 20, was announced in 2014. The original M3D-2 narrated above is illustrated by five photos at the bottom of the page shared by La Vida Leica, also reproducing the 2012 post sale release of the auction house.
MP Black Paint
1
1957 MP-55
2021 SOLD for € 1.2M by Leitz Photographica
Released at the Photokina in 1956, the Leica MP is the model that started the craze for black paint M cameras. The overall production was limited to 412 units, including 141 in the black paint version. Many Magnum photographers used that model.
The Leica MP-2 black paint, delivered to a press photographer in 1956, was sold for € 850K before fees by Leitz Photographica on November 23, 2019, lot 103 here linked on the bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.
The MP-55 made in 1957 was sold for € 1.2M from a lower estimate of € 300K by Leitz Photographica on November 20, 2021, lot 79. It is graded in condition A- with only minimal signs of use and is accompanied by its matching Leicavit MP rapid winder.
The Leica MP-2 black paint, delivered to a press photographer in 1956, was sold for € 850K before fees by Leitz Photographica on November 23, 2019, lot 103 here linked on the bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.
The MP-55 made in 1957 was sold for € 1.2M from a lower estimate of € 300K by Leitz Photographica on November 20, 2021, lot 79. It is graded in condition A- with only minimal signs of use and is accompanied by its matching Leicavit MP rapid winder.
2
1958 MP-59 ex Yul Brynner
2023 SOLD for € 1.44M by Leitz Photographica
The actor Yul Brynner was a skilled photographer and a fan of Leica, with which he recorded his daily job. His cameras and some prints from his original negatives were sold at auction through his daughter by Leitz Photographica on November 25, 2023.
Brynner owned two Leica MP black paint cameras in sequential numbers, both made in 1958. The MP-59 is in very good, original, and unrestored condition. It is perfectly working including a matching black paint Leicavit MP and a Canon 3.5/25mm lens, with some patina of use around the edges.
It was sold for € 1.44M from a lower estimate of € 600K in the 2023 auction, lot 186 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
Brynner owned two Leica MP black paint cameras in sequential numbers, both made in 1958. The MP-59 is in very good, original, and unrestored condition. It is perfectly working including a matching black paint Leicavit MP and a Canon 3.5/25mm lens, with some patina of use around the edges.
It was sold for € 1.44M from a lower estimate of € 600K in the 2023 auction, lot 186 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
3
1958 MP-60 ex Yul Brynner
2023 SOLD for € 1.32 M by Leitz Photographica
The second MP black paint ex Yul Brynner is the serial number MP-60. It is fitted with a Leica Summicron 2/5 cm lens, and otherwise identical and in same condition as its sibling MP-59.
It was sold for € 1.32M from a lower estimate of € 600K by Leitz Photographica on November 25, 2023, lot 187 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
It was sold for € 1.32M from a lower estimate of € 600K by Leitz Photographica on November 25, 2023, lot 187 here linked on the LiveAuctioneers bidding platform.
1958 MP2
2024 SOLD for € 1.56M by Leitz Photographica
A variant of the M2, the Leica MP2 is a test series fitted with a lowered 40 mm high electric motor drive enabling 3.5 pictures per second. It is indeed a culmination of Barnack's vision to transfer the technique of the 35 mm motion picture to a high quality photo camera in horizontal drive.
The last 6 of the first series, manufactured in August 1958, were black painted. They are serial numbered 935507 to 935512. The second series was made in April 1959 for an overall total of 27 cameras. 15 units are known to survive.
935510 was sold for € 400K by WestLicht on December 4, 2010.
935507 was sold for € 850K before fees on June 8, 2019 by WestLicht just renamed Leitz Photographica, lot 82 here linked on LiveAuctioneers bidding platform. It features its original Leica Motor and battery pack.
935509 was sold for € 1.56M from a lower estimate of € 700K by Leitz Photographica on June 8, 2024, lot 108. It is accompanied with its battery grid and pack, a control box with a switch for single and continuous exposures, a prototype charger, a unique photoelectric sensor designed for automatic shutter release, and a 3.5/3.5cm lens
The MP2 was impaired for a use on the field by its external battery pack and did not go to commercial production.
The last 6 of the first series, manufactured in August 1958, were black painted. They are serial numbered 935507 to 935512. The second series was made in April 1959 for an overall total of 27 cameras. 15 units are known to survive.
935510 was sold for € 400K by WestLicht on December 4, 2010.
935507 was sold for € 850K before fees on June 8, 2019 by WestLicht just renamed Leitz Photographica, lot 82 here linked on LiveAuctioneers bidding platform. It features its original Leica Motor and battery pack.
935509 was sold for € 1.56M from a lower estimate of € 700K by Leitz Photographica on June 8, 2024, lot 108. It is accompanied with its battery grid and pack, a control box with a switch for single and continuous exposures, a prototype charger, a unique photoelectric sensor designed for automatic shutter release, and a 3.5/3.5cm lens
The MP2 was impaired for a use on the field by its external battery pack and did not go to commercial production.
