David Douglas Duncan's Leica Sold for $2.19 Million

Leica's can go for a pretty penny new or old, but can you justify spending $2.19 million on one? The Leica M3D owned by influential Life Magazine photographer David Douglas Duncan has apparently sold at this world record price during an auction in Vienna. Starting at an opening bid of $194,205, it quickly became the highest price paid for a commercially produced camera. What's so special about this little rangefinder? Well it is one of four manufactured in 1955 that were specifically modified for Duncan, the three D's being a clever nod towards the prolific photojournalist himself. This camera was used to capture dramatic images from the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as document the life of Pablo Picasso who was one of his close friends. At the same action they sold a gold plated "Lexus" Leica from 1929 for around $1,320,594 and the first serial-produced M3 from 1953 for $1,165,230. Collecting cameras is not for the feint of heart...

Speaking of high numbers, Duncan is turning 97 this January! Click here to see some of his work.

(via billwest)