One costly camera: Nikon One rangefinder, world’s oldest Nikon camera, fetches over $400,000 at auction

 

 

WestLicht Photographica Auction held their 30th camera auction on November 19 and sold a Nikon One camera for a staggering €384,000 (US$407,735 at current exchange rates). The Nikon One camera in question was manufactured in April 1948, one month after the Japanese company started producing cameras. It is believed to be the third camera Nikon ever produced and is the oldest surviving Nikon camera. The over $400,000 hammer price is the highest-ever for a Nikon camera at auction and was the highest hammer price of the 30th camera auction.

The Nikon One has its original shutter mechanism and was granted a "B+" condition. The camera came with its matching Nikkor-H lens, which is believed to be the 11th of that lens ever produced. The camera was sold with its original -- and apparently very rare -- strap and came from the collection of famous Japanese camera collector Tad Sato. The camera's price started at €90,000 and was estimated to reach as high as €180,000 before ultimately selling for the €384,000 final price after two bids. The hammer price includes a 20% "buyer's premium." You can read more about the Nikon One here.

 

Nikon One camera sold at auction for over US$400,000 (including buyer premium). Image credit: Westlicht Photographica Auction

(Seen via Nikon Rumors)