Last weekend’s Wetzlar Auction, with remote bidders tuning in from all over the world, achieved the world’s highest price for a Nikon.
The early prototype Nikon L, a rangefinder with Leica screw mount, achieved €397,900 after a spirited bidding war between two on-line customers. According to Wetzlar Camera Auctions’ Lars Netopil, this is the highest price ever achieved at auction for a Nikon camera.
Lars Netopil said that the market for Leica collectibles is still strong, and some record prices bore this out. These included a Bundeswehr M3 outfit in NATO olive green which sold for €93,200 and the first example of a Leica IIId, with serial number 360001, which went under the hammer at €49,700.