A camera used by one of the world's most influential photographers, former Life magazine photographer David Douglas Duncan, who also documented Spanish artist Pablo Picasso's life, has sold in Vienna for a record $2.18 million (€1.7m), setting the new world record for the Most expensive commercially produced camera.
The Guinness world record for the Largest collection of film camera was set by Richard LaRiviere (USA), who owns 894 different film cameras.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Largest collection of still cameras (still photography) was set by Dilish Parekh of Mumbai, India, who has a collection of 4,425 antique cameras.
Leica built the camera specially for Duncan, according to the Westlicht photo gallery, which ran the auction in the Austrian capital. That camera was a prototype camera, and just one of 25 made (only 12 of them exist today).
The final sale including fees was 1.68 million euros ($2.18 million).
The Leica M3D, which had attracted an opening bid of €150,000, belonged to former Life magazine photographer David Douglas Duncan.
The 96-year-old photojournalist was a close friend of Picasso and published hundreds of exclusive photos of him.
Duncan is best known for his combat photos, including pictures taken during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and his close friendship with Pablo Picasso.
Manufactured in 1955, the camera is one of only four ever made, and the price set a world record for a commercially produced camera. It is the second highest price paid for any camera after a Leica 0-Series was sold for €2.2m last May. |
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Most expensive camera