How Much Is a Used Leica IIIa Worth? (2026 Price Guide)
Live data, refreshed daily. Last updated . Reviewed by Ked, a Leica M shooter (film and digital).
Is the price right? A quick buy-guide for the Leica IIIa
A quick gut-check for any listing below — condition and accessories shift the line, so always read the listing.
Current Leica IIIa Used Price in 2026
As of July 28, 2026: The fair range for a used Leica IIIa — where the middle half of listings sit — is $359–$737, around an asking median of $446. Confirmed sale prices are still thin for this model. The fair range (middle 50% of asking prices) is $359–$737; rare finishes and special editions push the full span far wider. The cheapest active listing right now is $225 (eBay UK).
Market pace58 listed now · half are gone within 16 days, a steady-moving used market.
The Leica IIIa, or Model G, introduced in 1935, was the first Leica to offer a 1/1000 top shutter speed, added to the otherwise familiar Leica III specification of slow speeds, strap lugs, and a 1.5x rangefinder. It uses the standardized 39mm screw mount and was built in chrome; bodies seen in black are almost always earlier cameras factory-upgraded to IIIa specification. It was the most produced pre-war Leica, with roughly 90,000 made, and production continued in various forms into the late 1940s. The IIIa is a popular, capable, fully mechanical screw-mount film camera and is widely available on the used market.
Leica IIIa Price by Region
Excludes special editions, collectables, bundles, and call-for-price listings.
| Region | Listings | Low | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 25 | $228 | $4,377 | $939 |
| Japan | 13 | $240 | $783 | $429 |
| North America | 10 | $280 | $2,150 | $665 |
| United Kingdom | 8 | $225 | $1,299 | $626 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | $360 | $360 | $360 |
| Australia | 1 | $696 | $696 | $696 |
All Leica IIIa Listings
Shopping for one? See current Leica IIIa deals and listings for sale →
Filter by condition, source, or price in the full tracker →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a used Leica IIIa still be serviced?
Usually yes. Leica services many current and recent models, and independent specialists handle older and discontinued bodies, including the clean-lube-adjust (CLA) that vintage cameras often need. Parts can be limited on older or electronic models, so budget for a possible service and factor a CLA into the price on a body that has not been serviced recently.
What did the Leica IIIa add over the Leica III?
The headline change is the 1/1000 top shutter speed, which the IIIa was the first Leica to offer in 1935. Everything else, the slow-speed dial, strap lugs, and 1.5x rangefinder, carries over from the III. Because the 1/1000 speed uses a separate timing mechanism, it sits on a slightly raised section of the top speed dial, which is a quick way to identify a IIIa.
Is a black Leica IIIa original?
Almost never as built. The IIIa was produced in chrome, so a genuine factory-black IIIa is exceptionally rare. Most black bodies described as IIIa are earlier black Leica II or III cameras that were factory-upgraded to IIIa specification, which keeps the original serial number. That is legitimate factory history, but it is not the same as an original-finish black IIIa, so judge such cameras on their merits and price accordingly.
How can I tell a IIIa from a III?
Look at the top shutter-speed dial: the IIIa has a 1/1000 setting, the III does not. The 1/1000 marking sits on a raised portion of the dial because of its separate mechanism. Otherwise the two cameras are very similar in size, layout, and handling.
Are military-marked Leica IIIa cameras genuine?
Some genuine wartime IIIa bodies carry Luftwaffe (Luftwaffen-Eigentum) markings, but these are rare and command large premiums, which makes them a frequent target for forgery. Soviet-era copies and re-engraved bodies are common. Genuine Wehrmacht Leicas have the full slow-speed mechanism, and only Luftwaffe shipments are well documented in factory ledgers. Treat any military engraving as fake until the serial and records confirm it.
What should I check when buying a used Leica IIIa?
Confirm the 1/1000 speed is present and fires, test the slow speeds for sticking, and inspect both shutter curtains in bright light for pinholes. Check the rangefinder patch contrast and the vulcanite covering, verify the serial against published tables, and be skeptical of any military markings. Budget for a service on an unserviced example.