SUMMARY
While tiny cameras are currently trending, Leica produced a compact half-frame 35mm film camera prototype in the mid-1950s called the Leica Box. This camera measured approximately 2.5 inches tall and featured a fixed Leitz Summaron lens, an optical viewfinder, and controls for shutter speed and aperture. Despite its small size, it used 35mm film loaded via a special cassette system and shot in half-frame format. The Leica Box never went into mass production, making working examples extremely rare. The Leitz Photographica Auction is offering what is believed to be the only functioning Leica Box, with an estimate of up to €500,000.
TAKEAWAYS
A rare, working prototype of the 1950s Leica Box half-frame camera is up for auction.
The camera measures approximately 2.5 inches tall and uses 35mm film.
It features a fixed 35mm lens, optical viewfinder, and classic Leica styling.
This prototype is estimated to fetch up to €500,000 at auction.