Contessa Deckrullo Nettel
The Contessa Deckrullo Nettel is a folding plate camera produced in the early twentieth century, equipped with a focal-plane shutter and typically used with sheet-film or plate backs. It originated from the Nettel Kamerawerk lineage that was absorbed into Contessa-Nettel, and was positioned as a professional-grade press and field camera when new.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Deckrullo Nettel have spanned roughly £150 to £600, with a median around £440 — wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer retail. The spread is wide because condition of the cloth focal-plane shutter, bellows and any fitted lens drives value; as of today in 2026 a complete, working example sells for materially more than a shutter-tattered body, and buyers should treat the figures here as guidance to what the camera is worth on the secondary market.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: June 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2024 | £44 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 448) Title: A Contessa Nettel Folding Plate Camera
Description:
black, body F-G, some paint wear, bellows extends but not light tested, shutter works, with Kodak f/6.3 130mm lens, optics hazy, |
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| Oct 2017 | £84 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 465) Title: A Contessa-Nettel Deck Rullo Folding Strut Camera
Description:
1920-1930, 3⅛x4⅛, serial no. S11535, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessa f/4.5 120mm lens, black, serial no. 546506, body, G, second curtain sticking, lens, |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34573) Title: Contessa Nettel Deckrullo
Description:
small version for 6.5x9cm plates in very good condition, with fast Tessar 2.7/12cm no.657052, ground glass and magazine back Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Mar 2014 | EUR 440 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_29634) Title: Contessa Nettel Deckrullo-Nettel
Description:
6.5x9cm, in good original condition, working shutter, fast Tessar 2.7/12cm no.660498, focusing screen holder, very rare with permanently mounted Astro Fokuskop 120 mirror lens finder no.16709, ex. collection Dr.Loher (Munich, Germany) Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12766) Title: Contessa-Nettel Deckrullo-Nettel
Description:
10x15cm, rare with Xenar 4.5/18cm no.296132, focal-plane shutter works (not accurate), cap Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 160 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18641) Title: Contessa Nettel Deckrullo-Nettel
Description:
6.5x9cm, in good original condition (shutter mechanism not working), Tessar 4.5/12cm no.256665, packfilm holder, case Estimate: EUR 200 - EUR 250 |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20683) Title: Contessa Nettel Tropen-Sonnet
Description:
4.5x6cm, very rare camera in good working order, brown leather bellows, nickel fittings, original focusing screen, Tessar 4.5/7.5cm no.286658 in Compound shutter Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 145 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_22770) Title: Contessa Nettel Deckrullo Nettel, 10x15cm
Description:
Xenar 4,5/18cm. Nr. 296132 Schlitzverschluss läuft, selten mit "XENAR" Estimate: EUR 1,922 - EUR 12,802 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Contessa Deckrullo Nettel worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer results, a Deckrullo Nettel is typically worth between £150 and £600, with a recent median value around £440 depending on shutter condition and completeness.
How much does a Deckrullo Nettel sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom results show the camera sells for as little as £145 for rougher examples and up to £600 for clean, complete ones, so the price you pay scales closely with condition.
What affects the value of a Deckrullo Nettel?
The biggest value drivers are the integrity of the focal-plane shutter and bellows, and whether the original lens and plate holders are included; missing or damaged components sharply reduce the price.