Extremely Rare Leica Prototype Lens Discovered at Goodwill Thrift Store

An ultra-rare 26-pound Leica prototype lens worth nearly $50,000 has surfaced unexpectedly at a secondhand retail store.

Collectors and photography enthusiasts were stunned to discover an ultra-rare Leica / Hughes Leitz 17mm f/2 prototype lens listed at a Goodwill location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Identified by Lenstag founder Trevor Sehrer, the massive 26-pound optic bears the model number C530-0004.

With previous variants commanding nearly $50,000 at specialized auction houses, the thrift store's casual listing highlights a remarkable oversight in vintage hardware identification.