Leica camera snapped up for $2.18mn

AFP/ViennaA custom-built Leica camera that once belonged to influential American photographer David Douglas Duncan fetched more than 1.6mn euros at a Vienna auction on Saturday.Duncan used the 1955 black M3D Leica when he worked for Life magazine. The final sale including fees was 1.68mn euros ($2.18mn).Leica built the camera specially for Duncan, according to the Westlicht photo gallery, which ran the auction in the Austrian capital. Its estimate had been between 250,000 and 300,000 euros.Duncan is best known for his combat photos, including pictures taken during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and his close friendship with Pablo Picasso.Saturday’s sale also included thousands of Nasa vintage photographs and slides that went for 200,000 euros.Another batch of photographs of Russia’s space exploration was sold for 60,000 euros.