CameraWorth.com

Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16 (Ikonta B, Opton)

The Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16 (Ikonta B) is a folding medium-format roll film camera taking 6×6 cm exposures on 120 film, produced by Zeiss Ikon in the post-war era. Examples fitted with Opton-branded lenses reflect the West German Zeiss output following the company's split, and the camera sat as a compact folder aimed at amateur photographers.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Ikonta 521/16 have ranged widely from around £12 to £170, reflecting how condition-sensitive folders of this age have become in today's market. The three recorded saleroom results give a median near £100, and buyers should note these are wholesale hammer figures rather than retail asking prices, so a tidy user-grade example is typically worth materially more once dealer margins are added. Variant and lens configuration — particularly whether the camera carries an Opton Tessar — drives much of the spread in what the model sells for.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
standard Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens (non-Opton, vs Zeiss-Opton Oberkochen Tessar on parent) — — 1 £100 – £100
I have one to sell

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: August 2024

Date Price Source Variant
Aug 2024 £12 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Nov 2023 £50 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions —
Nov 2016 EUR 200 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Dec 2010 EUR 100 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction standard Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar lens (non-Opton, vs Zeiss-Opton Oberkochen Tessar on parent)
Nov 2003 EUR 104 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2003 EUR 172 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
Nov 2003 EUR 172 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2003 EUR 167 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —
May 2003 EUR 250 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction —

Frequently asked questions

What is a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta 521/16 worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results span roughly £12 to £170, with a median value near £100 for examples in typical used condition.

How much does an Ikonta B sell for at auction?

Clean, working examples with an Opton lens have sold for around £170 at the top end, while rougher bodies change hands for well under £50.

What affects the price of an Ikonta 521/16?

Bellows condition, shutter accuracy, cosmetic wear and the specific lens variant are the main factors determining what the camera sells for.

Other Zeiss Ikon cameras