Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
The Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24 is a folding rollfilm camera from the German Zeiss Ikon stable, produced in the late 1930s. It was positioned as a medium-format folder using 120 film and sat within Zeiss Ikon's broader pre-war line-up of bellows cameras.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Nettax 538/24 have varied widely depending on condition and completeness, with recorded results spanning roughly £130 to £1,300 and a median around £650. A 2025 sale cleared at £130, while stronger historical results from the early 2010s show what clean, complete examples have been worth in the saleroom; today the typical value sits well below those peak figures, and buyers should treat the upper end as exceptional rather than expected.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | — | — | 1 | £583 – £583 |
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: May 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | £130 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 87) Title: A Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24 Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24 Rangefinder Camera, serial no C. 86120, shutter not working, rangefinder working, body G, some Zeiss bumps to back, some |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 650 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13269) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
body in good working condition with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1551852, matching serial number in back Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 650 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13270) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
in very fine condition and working order with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1873471, cap, everready case, rare black/nickel plate magazine back 536/13 with one slide and focusing screen in maker's box Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 1,300 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12758) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 'for Manchouko' 538/24 Ausrüstung
Description:
very rare export camera with matching back door, inside engraved: for Manchuoko, accessory shoe engraved: Made in Germany, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1873226 and very rare Carl Zeiss Jena Triotar 5.6/10.5cm no.1799663 (cond. A/B, both caps), matching Albada finder 433/41 for 5cm and 10.5cm Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,200 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 360 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16698) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24 'for Manchoukuo'
Description:
very rare camera in original and working condition engraved: 'for Manchoukuo' on back door(with matching number), Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1550764 Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 300 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_16699) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
body in working order with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1999572, cap, everready case Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 340 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_15891) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
24x36mm, rare camera in good working condition with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1874022, export version in 'feet', engraved 'Made in Germany' on accessory shoe Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 450 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 320 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_15890) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
in good working order with Tessar 3.5/5cm, instructions Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 330 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25471) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
24x36mm, rare camera in good working condition with Tessar 2.8/5cm no.1551242, cap, case Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 433 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_23170) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
Tessar 3,5/5 cm. Nr. 1409964 mit Ber. Tasche. Estimate: EUR 1,937 - EUR 86,529 |
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| Nov 2003 | EUR 678 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 4 (Lot AI_4_23171) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24
Description:
Mit seltenem Triotar 5,6/10,5 cm. Nr. 1799504 (Zustand B+), Dabei: Albadasucher (feststehend) 433/41 (5 u.10,5 cm.) So.Blende 373/70 (Kunststoff) Estimate: EUR 1,936 - EUR 48,418 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 583 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | China | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_22326) Title: Zeiss Ikon Nettax “For China”
Description:
Tessar 2.8/5cm (feet), shutter works,rare export-camera forChina with Chinese symbols on back of topplate, case Estimate: EUR 1,937 - EUR 48,445 |
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| Jun 2002 | £293 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 27) Title: Nettax no. C.86704
Description:
Nettax no. C.86704 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Zeiss Ikon Nettax 538/24 worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices range from about £130 to £1,300, with a median near £650; condition, shutter accuracy and bellows integrity are the main drivers of value.
How much does a Nettax 538/24 sell for at auction?
A clean, functional example has sold for several hundred pounds at hammer, while a rough or incomplete camera has changed hands for around £130.
Why is the price range so wide?
The Nettax 538/24 is condition-sensitive and scarce, so exceptional examples have fetched prices above £1,000 while tired bodies sell for a small fraction of that.