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Dallmeyer (J.H.) 51mm f/1.9 Oscillograph

The Dallmeyer 51mm f/1.9 Oscillograph is a specialist fast prime from the long-established London optical maker J.H. Dallmeyer, built for recording cathode-ray oscillograph traces onto film. Its wide f/1.9 aperture was designed to capture faint, fast-moving phosphor images rather than for general photography, and the lens is typically encountered in industrial or laboratory-style barrel form.

At UK auction the 51mm f/1.9 Oscillograph has shown a wide spread of hammer results, ranging from £200 up to £2,000, with the bulk of recent 2024 sales clustering between £850 and £1,625 and a median close to £1,237. As of 2026 these wholesale saleroom figures reflect what clean, complete examples sell for before buyer's premium, and condition, completeness of mount hardware and glass clarity appear to drive most of the variance in what the lens is worth.

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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 £238 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £200 Flints Auctions
May 2024 £850 Flints Auctions
May 2024 £1,625 Flints Auctions
May 2023 £4,375 Flints Auctions
Oct 2019 £360 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £480 Flints Auctions
Jun 2015 EUR 2,000 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Dallmeyer 51mm f/1.9 Oscillograph worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices have ranged from £200 to £2,000, with most 2024 results falling between £850 and £1,625 depending on condition and completeness.

How much does a Dallmeyer 51mm f/1.9 Oscillograph sell for at auction?

Clean examples have sold for around £850–£1,625 at recent UK sales, while a rougher copy sold for £200 and an exceptional result reached £2,000 back in 2015.

Why does the price and value vary so much between copies?

Because this is a specialist industrial lens rather than a camera lens, value swings sharply with glass clarity, smoothness of the iris and focus, and whether the original mount or flange is present.

Is the Dallmeyer Oscillograph usable on a normal camera?

It was designed for oscillograph recording rigs, so using it on a stills camera requires a custom adapter, and buyers should confirm mount details before bidding.

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