Bentzin Record Primar
The Bentzin Record Primar is a German-made folding plate camera, produced by Curt Bentzin of Görlitz during the early twentieth century. It was positioned as a technical-quality plate camera for serious amateur and professional photographers of its period.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Bentzin Record Primar have been exceptional, with two recorded sales of £17,000 (2024) and £18,000 (2016) giving a median around £17,500. These saleroom results reflect wholesale levels for rare or highly-collectable examples rather than typical retail asking prices, and in today's market a Record Primar's worth is highly condition- and variant-dependent — routine examples can sell for a fraction of these figures.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: November 2024
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | EUR 17,000 | £14,174 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01153) Title: Bentzin Record-Primar 6x9cm with Meyer Plasmat 1.5/9cm
Description:
Extremely rare non-folding 'Night' Primar, only 3 exemplars are known to exist, here in beautiful, almost mint condition, focal-plane shutter not operable, with rare Hugo Meyer Plasmat 1.5/9cm no.502812 with clean and clear optics, with front lens cap (not original). Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 18,000 | £15,641 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33589) Title: Bentzin Record-Primar 6x9cm
Description:
non folding 'Night' Primar in fantastic near mint original condition, Hugo Meyer Plasmat 1.5/9cm no.292071 with perfect clean and clear lenses, focal-plane shutter. Literature: Abring II page 71, the only other known Record Primar was sold in our auction in 2002 Estimate: EUR 18,000 - EUR 22,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bentzin Record Primar worth today?
The two recorded UK auction hammer results sit at £17,000 and £18,000, but these represent standout sales; the price any individual example sells for depends heavily on condition, completeness and lens fitted.
How much does a Bentzin Record Primar sell for at auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices have ranged from £17,000 to £18,000, with a median value near £17,500, excluding buyer's and seller's commission.
Is the Bentzin Record Primar a good collector's camera?
It appeals to collectors of early German plate cameras, and the limited sales data suggests strong value at the top end, though buyers should verify condition carefully given the age and lack of factory support.