Rollei Rolleiflex I Original
The Rolleiflex I Original is the first Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera, introduced by Franke & Heidecke at the end of the 1920s. It is a medium-format TLR producing 6x6 negatives and was the camera that established the Rolleiflex line.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Rolleiflex I Original have ranged from about £10 to £80, with clean working examples today typically selling for around £70–£80. Condition is the dominant factor in what one of these is worth: tired bodies with haze, shutter issues or missing parts sell for pocket change, while a cosmetically tidy and functional example sells for several times that in the saleroom.
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: January 2026
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| Jan 2026 | £40 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 252) Title: A Rolleiflex I Original TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I Original TLR Camera, serial no 024899, shutter working, body G, some scuffs & paint wear, with Carl Zeiss Jens 7.5cm f/3.5 Tessar lens, |
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| Jun 2025 | £25 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 164) Title: A Rollei Rolleiflex 1 Original Medium Format TLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 75996, body F-G, shutter works, focuses, iris works, optics have light haze. |
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| Mar 2025 | £175 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 251) Title: A Rollei Rolleiflex 1 Original Medium Format TLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 22478, an early manufacture, body F-G, shutter works, focuses, iris works, optics hazy. |
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| Feb 2025 | £140 | 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 266) Title: Rolleiflex I TLR camera, serial no 21899, with Carl Zeiss Jena 7.5cm 1:3.8 Tessar lens, in
Description:
Rolleiflex I TLR camera, serial no 21899, with Carl Zeiss Jena 7.5cm 1:3.8 Tessar lens, in |
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| Jan 2025 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 297) Title: A Rolleiflex I Original TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I Original TLR Camera, shutter working, body F-G, paint wear to edges, with Carl Zeiss Jena 7.5cm f/3.5 Tessar lens, elements F, fungus |
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| Jan 2025 | £10 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 795) Title: A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera, serial no 015983, shutter sluggish/sticking in slow speeds, body F-G, wear & paint scratches to edges, with Carl Zeiss |
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| Aug 2024 | £10 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 384) Title: A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera, serial no 025570, shutter sticking in slow speeds, body F, paint wear, scuffs, with Carl Zeiss Jena 7.5cm f/3.8 Tessar |
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| Jul 2024 | £75 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 584) Title: A Rolleiflex Original TLR Camera
Description:
black, serial number 80142, body F, shutter works, with Tessar f/4.5 7.5cm lens, optics F with haze, with caps. |
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| Dec 2023 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 269) Title: A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera, serial no 34871, shutter sticking in slow speeds, body F, ding to front edge, paint wear to edges, with Carl Zeiss Jena |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 450 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41423) Title: Rolleiflex I Original Tessar 4.5/7.5cm
Description:
Beautiful and very early first version, with Tessar 4.5/7.5cm no.991737, in almost mint condition and working order, no focus scale, chassis engraved with 8777, with wooden spool, yellow filter no.35596, close-up lens, leather strap, very early lenses cap (without hole) and early leather case (with strap extension) Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Apr 2023 | £70 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 346) Title: A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera
Description:
A Rolleiflex I TLR Camera, serial no 91706, shutter working, body G, some paint wear to film door and front edges with Carl Zeiss Jena 7.5cm f/3.5 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 655 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19600) Title: Rolleiflex I Original 6x6
Description:
first model Rolleiflex in beautiful condition with Tessar 3.8/7.5cm no.1052507 in Compur shutter, original cap, case Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 198 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_22285) Title: Rolleiflex I
Description:
with a Tessar f/4.5 7.5cm lens no. 1148048, cap, very nice condition Estimate: EUR 1,931 - EUR 57,863 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 458 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_22284) Title: Rolleiflex I
Description:
very early Rolleiflex with Tessar f/4.5 7.5cm lens no. 980623 in Compur shutter with cap and case Estimate: EUR 1,929 - EUR 22,005 |
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| Jun 1999 | £126 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 24) Title: Rolleiflex original no. 64978
Description:
Rolleiflex original no. 64978 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
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| Nov 1998 | £25 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 166) Title: Rolleiflex original no. 112913
Description:
Rolleiflex original no. 112913 Estimate: £25 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Rolleiflex I Original worth today?
In 2026, recent UK auction hammer results put the value of a Rolleiflex I Original at roughly £10 for rough examples up to about £80 for clean, functional ones.
How much does a Rolleiflex I Original sell for at auction?
Recent UK saleroom results cluster around £70–£80 for presentable working examples, with the price falling sharply for cameras with shutter, lens or cosmetic faults.
Why do prices for the Rolleiflex I Original vary so much?
Condition and completeness drive the value — a tidy example with a clear lens and working shutter sells for many times what a damaged or incomplete body fetches, which is why recent hammer prices span from single figures to about £80.