Leitz M2-R
The Leitz M2-R is a late-production variant of the M2 35mm rangefinder, fitted with the quick-load take-up spool later used on the M4. Produced in small numbers at the end of the M2 run around 1969–1970, it retained the meterless M2 body and its 35/50/90mm bright-line finder while offering faster film loading.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the M2-R have ranged from around £650 for a tired example up to £3,200 for a clean, well-documented body, with a median of roughly £2,000. The most recent results in 2019 and 2020 sold for £2,000 and £2,800, suggesting that in today's market a presentable M2-R is typically worth £2,000–£2,800 at saleroom level, with condition, originality and the presence of the correct rapid-load spool being the main drivers of value.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black finish | — | — | 1 | £1,700 – £1,700 |
| chrome | — | — | 0 | — |
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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Nov 2025 | EUR 6,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02561) Title: Leica M2-R NOS set
Description:
The Leica M2-R represents the final production run of the Leica M2, equipped with the rapid-load film system of the later Leica M4. In Leica’s own literature, it was described as “a limited edition of the famous Leica M2.” |
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| Nov 2025 | £2,125 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 30) Title: A Leica M2-R Rangefinder Body
Description:
1969, chrome, serial no. 1249741, body, G-VG, |
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 2,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01242) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
Rare version based on a Leica M2 with a self-timer and the quick loading system inherited from the Leica M4, in very good, original condition and working order, with only a few scratches on the bottom plate, with body cap. Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Jan 2024 | USD 2,400 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: 2024 Results (Lot 297) Title: Leica M2-R with original box
Description:
Leica M2-R with original box |
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| Jan 2023 | USD 2,500 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: 2023 Auction Results (Lot 198) Title: Leica M2-R Nr. 1248943
Description:
Leica M2-R Nr. 1248943 |
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| Nov 2022 | EUR 2,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40800) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in original, near mint condition and working order, only few signs of wear, with body cap Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Nov 2022 | USD 3,100 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2022 Results (Lot 264) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
Leica M2-R |
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| Nov 2021 | USD 2,800 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2021 Auction Results (Lot 151) Title: Leica M2-R Nr. 1248758
Description:
Leica M2-R Nr. 1248758 |
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| Nov 2021 | USD 3,200 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2021 Auction Results (Lot 152) Title: Leica M2-R, Nr. 1249462 (no rapid load diagram)
Description:
Leica M2-R, Nr. 1249462 (no rapid load diagram) |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 2,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38693) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in near mint original and fully working condition, with body cap and M2 box (different number) Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,600 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 2,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38715) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
Rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in near mint original and fully working condition, with body cap Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,600 |
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| Nov 2020 | USD 2,800 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2020 Auction Results (Lot 286) Title: Leica M2-R with 50mm "Dual Range" Summicron f2
Description:
Leica M2-R with 50mm "Dual Range" Summicron f2 |
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| Nov 2020 | USD 1,900 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2020 Auction Results (Lot 287) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
Leica M2-R |
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| Nov 2020 | USD 2,200 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2020 Auction Results (Lot 285) Title: Leica M2-R in box
Description:
Leica M2-R in box |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 2,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38037) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in near mint original and fully working condition, with dual-range Summicron 2/50mm no. 2356717 (in perfect condition with SDPOO attachment, 12585 hood and cap) Estimate: EUR 3,400 - EUR 3,600 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 2,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37572) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
body in near mint condition and in good working order, late engraving style of flash sockets - it is one of the latest M2 cameras made, with close-focus Summicron 2/50mm no.1705011 (cond. B/A, good optics, SDPOO attachment) Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 3,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37617) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
body in beautiful, mint condition and in good working order, with body cap, matching U.S. import certificate, matching maker's box - hard to find in such good condition Estimate: EUR 2,800 - EUR 3,200 |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 2,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37359) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in near mint original and fully working condition, with body cap Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2017 | USD 1,700 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | black finish | |
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Auction: November 2017 Auction Results (Lot 176) Title: Leica M2-R, Nr. 1248286
Description:
Leica M2-R, Nr. 1248286 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 2,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35478) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare and early Leica M2-R (with quick loading system) in mint original and fully working condition, clean finder and good working shutter, still 'L' sealed, cap Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 1,900 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33880) Title: Leica M2-R
Description:
rare chrome special M2 body with quick-loading system in mint and perfect working order, with matching maker's box (with label 'M2R CHROME BODY) and correct serial number, English M2R instructions, Owner's Registry Card for this camera Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 1,100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13421) Title: M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system), in perfect working condition, clean finder, Elmar 2.8/50mm no.2121080 (cond.B, cap) Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 1,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_18177) Title: M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system), in very fine and fully working condition, clean finder and good working shutter, cap Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,700 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 650 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_18178) Title: M2-R
Description:
rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system), in fine and fully working condition, clean finder and good working shutter, cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 3,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_26054) Title: M2-R Set
Description:
mint M2 with quick-loading system (base-plate condition B+), New York seal, in technically perfect order, with matching dual-range Summicron 2/50mm no.2356517, all in M2 maker's box, M2R instructions 110-36d/Engl., M2R manual Estimate: EUR 2,600 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 1,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25238) Title: M2-R
Description:
very rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system), in fully working order, clean finder, perfect shutter Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Nov 2004 | EUR 1,458 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 6 (Lot AI_6_24372) Title: M2-R
Description:
very rare Leica M2-R (with quick loading system), fine and fully working condition, clean finder, perfect shutter Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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| May 2004 | £836 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 154) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249306
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249306 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Jun 2003 | £1,645 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 245) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249016
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249016 Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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| Apr 2003 | £998 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 89) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249562
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249562 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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| Jul 1999 | £3,680 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 37) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1248734
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1248734 Estimate: £1,200 - £1,800 |
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| Jun 1999 | £2,070 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 443) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1248493
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1248493 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Nov 1998 | £1,265 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 103) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249741
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249741 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| May 1998 | £1,150 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 96) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249755
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249755 Estimate: £700 - £900 |
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| Jan 1998 | £1,610 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 161) Title: Leica M2-R no. 1249016
Description:
Leica M2-R no. 1249016 Estimate: £1,200 - £1,800 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Leitz M2-R worth today?
UK auction hammer prices over the last few years sit in the £2,000–£2,800 range for clean, working bodies, with a long-term median close to £2,000.
How much does a Leica M2-R sell for at auction?
Recorded hammer results range from about £650 for a rough example up to £3,200 for an exceptional one, so the price a given M2-R sells for depends heavily on cosmetic condition and whether the original rapid-load spool is present.
Is the M2-R more valuable than a standard M2?
Yes — because only a small number were built at the tail end of M2 production, a verified M2-R typically commands a premium over an equivalent-condition standard M2.
What makes the M2-R different from the regular M2?
The M2-R is mechanically an M2 but fitted with the quick-load take-up spool later adopted on the M4, which is the feature the 'R' denotes.