Billcliff Long Focus Camera
The Billcliff Long Focus Camera is a British-made wooden field camera designed for long-focus work, with the bellows draw and rear extension required for telephoto and portrait focal lengths on large-format plates.
Hammer evidence is thin: a single UK auction result from October 2017 saw a Billcliff Long Focus Camera sell for £1,020 at saleroom level (wholesale, before commission). On that basis, today's value guide for a complete, presentable example sits around the £1,000 mark, but with only one data point the price a specific camera sells for can vary widely with condition, completeness of lens and plate holders, and bellows integrity.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: October 2017
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2017 | £1,020 | Flints Auctions | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 342) Title: A Fine J. Billcliff Long Focus Half Plate Mahogany Tailbaord Camera
Description:
1887, with unmarked f/8 brass lens, body, VG, lens, F-G, some light internal fungus; Marked to top 'Billcliff, Maker, Manchester.' |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Billcliff Long Focus Camera worth today?
The only recorded UK auction result, from 2017, achieved £1,020 at the hammer, so a complete example would be priced in that region as a reference point, though thin sales data means the figure should be treated as indicative only.
How much does a Billcliff Long Focus Camera sell for at auction?
On the single verified sale available, the price reached £1,020 hammer in a UK saleroom, excluding buyer's premium.
What affects the value of a Billcliff Long Focus Camera?
Bellows condition, mechanical rigidity of the long extension, originality of lens board and ground glass, and the presence of plate holders are the main factors that move the price up or down.