Busch Pressman
The Busch Pressman is a press-type folding camera associated with mid-20th-century news and commercial photography. It uses sheet film and was positioned as a working professional's field camera rather than a consumer product.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Busch Pressman have sat in a £120–£150 range across the limited records available, with a median near £135. Today the model sells for modest sums at saleroom level, and what a given example is worth depends heavily on the condition of the bellows, shutter and ground glass; the headline value can shift sharply once a working lens and film holders are included.
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: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £120 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 48) Title: A Busch Pressman 2¼x3¼ Camera
Description:
A Busch Pressman 2¼x3¼ Camera, body G-VG, bellows G-VG, rangefinder working, with Wollensak 101mm f/4.5 Rapter lens, in Rapax shutter, shutter |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 150 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20751) Title: Busch Camera Corp. Pressman
Description:
2 1/4 x 3 1/4", similar to Century Graphic, coupled Hugo Meyer rangefinder, Wollensak Raptar 4.5/101mm no.724936 Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Busch Pressman worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer results place the Busch Pressman in the £120–£150 bracket, though outfits with a clean lens and film holders can sit at the upper end.
How much does a Busch Pressman sell for at auction?
The two recorded UK sales cleared at £120 and £150, giving a working median around £135 before buyer's premium.
What affects the price of a Busch Pressman?
Bellows condition, shutter accuracy, and whether the camera comes with its original lens and film holders are the main factors that move the value up or down.