To mark the centenary of the Leica I, Leitz Photographica Auction will present an extremely rare model, the Leica Series 0 N°112, at its 46th auction on June 27, 2025 at Leitz Park in Wetzlar, Germany. This historic prototype, one of the first 35mm cameras ever produced, represents both a milestone in the history of photography and a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Leica I: 100 years on
Introduced in 1925, the Leica I was the first 35 mm (24 x 36) film camera, enabling the creation of compact, lightweight cameras. This innovation marked a break with the cumbersome cameras of the time.
The use of 35mm film, previously reserved for the cinema, enabled German photographer and inventor Oskar Barnack to design more practical cameras for street photography and reporting. This breakthrough encouraged a more intuitive and creative approach to shooting, profoundly influencing the evolution of photography.
Two years before the Leica I, Ernst Leitz Werke – the forerunner of Leica Camera AG – developed the Leica 0 (or Nullserie in German), a prototype of the future Leica I. The purpose of this model was to gather initial feedback from users and define the definitive characteristics of the Leica I.
Leica 0 N°112, the decisive prototype?
In all, only 25 prototypes of the Leica 0 – bearing serial numbers 101 to 125 – were produced. This innovative camera already featured a compact metal body and a fixed Leitz Anastigmat f:3.5/50 mm lens designed by Max Berek.
In 2022, a Series 0 model, N°105, sold for 14.4 million euros, becoming the world’s most expensive camera. More recently, other Series 0 models have fetched prices in excess of two million euros.
The Leica 0 N°112 to be auctioned has a special significance for Leica: it is the prototype used and validated by Oskar Barnack himself, then head of Leica’s testing department.
An auction to celebrate 100 years of Leica
The Leica Serie 0 N°112 will be presented to the public during Design Week at the Leica Store in Milan from April 4th.
The auction on June 27, 2025 in Wetzlar is shaping up to be a major event for the manufacturer, forming part of the centenary of the Leica I, celebrated under the theme “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century”.
Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leitz Photographica Auction, points out that “these prototypes laid the foundations for modern photography”, making this auction an exceptional event.
The full sale catalog will be published in May, presenting all the lots from this historic event for Leica.
Find out more on the Leica Shop website.
