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Dallmeyer (J.H.) 3B Soft Focus Portrait

The Dallmeyer 3B is a soft focus portrait lens from the long-established London optical maker J.H. Dallmeyer, designed for studio portraiture on large format plate cameras. Often referred to simply as the "Dallmeyer 3B," it belongs to the classic Petzval-derived portrait family used by professional portraitists from the late 19th century into the 20th, prized for its rendering of skin tones and out-of-focus areas rather than clinical sharpness.

UK auction evidence for the 3B Soft Focus Portrait is thin, with a single tracked hammer result of £1,140 in October 2019 — a wholesale saleroom level, not a retail asking price. On that limited basis the lens sells for around four figures at auction today, though condition, completeness of the diffusion control, mount and any matching flange will materially affect what a clean example is worth. Buyers researching what a Dallmeyer 3B is worth should treat this single data point as indicative rather than a firm market price.

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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.

Date Price Source
Nov 2024 £1,138 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £1,750 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £975 Flints Auctions
Oct 2019 £1,140 Flints Auctions
Nov 2012 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 750 Leitz Auction
Nov 2001 £164 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Dallmeyer 3B Soft Focus Portrait worth?

The only tracked UK auction sale hammered at £1,140 in 2019, suggesting a four-figure value for a complete example, though a single data point is not a reliable price guide.

How much does a Dallmeyer 3B sell for at auction?

Recorded UK saleroom evidence shows one hammer price of £1,140; actual results will vary with condition, completeness and the strength of bidding on the day.

Why is the price range for this lens uncertain?

With just one verified sale in our records, there is not enough data to establish a reliable median or range, so the figure above should be treated as a single reference point rather than a market value.

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