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Dallmeyer (J.H.) 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac

The Dallmeyer 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac is a long-focus large-format lens of the classic Pentac series, offering a 203mm focal length at a relatively fast f/2.9 maximum aperture. Designed for press, portrait and aerial work on large-format plate cameras, it is a British-made optic typical of the mid-20th century era of Dallmeyer's London production.

At UK auction the 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac is a thinly traded item, with the only logged hammer price being £88 at Chiswick Auctions in August 2024 — a wholesale saleroom result rather than a retail asking price. With just one data point, that figure should be read as indicative of what a clean but unmounted example sells for today rather than a firm market value, and condition, shutter fitment and presentation case can all shift the price meaningfully.

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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
Jan 2026 £81 Flints Auctions
Jan 2026 £106 Flints Auctions
Jan 2026 £94 Flints Auctions
Aug 2025 £125 Flints Auctions
Jun 2025 £81 Flints Auctions
Sep 2024 £81 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £88 Chiswick Auctions
Aug 2024 £50 Chiswick Auctions
Jun 2023 £119 Flints Auctions
Mar 2018 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
May 2007 EUR 950 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Dallmeyer 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac worth at UK auction today?

Based on the single recorded 2024 sale, a Dallmeyer 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac is worth around £88 at hammer in the UK auction market, though with only one data point the value of any individual example will depend heavily on condition and completeness.

How much does a Dallmeyer Pentac 8 Inch f/2.9 sell for?

The only logged UK auction result shows the lens selling for £88 hammer in August 2024; clean, shutter-mounted or cased examples could reasonably exceed this, but there is not enough sales data to give a firm price range.

What was the Dallmeyer Pentac 8 Inch f/2.9 designed for?

It is a fast long-focus large-format lens of Dallmeyer's Pentac line, a series associated with press, portrait and aerial photography where its f/2.9 aperture allowed shorter exposures than typical plate-camera optics.

Is the Dallmeyer 8 Inch f/2.9 Pentac a good buy at current prices?

At sub-£100 hammer levels it is inexpensive for a fast 8-inch large-format lens, but buyers should weigh the price against the cost of cleaning, shutter servicing or remounting, since these can easily exceed the lens's auction value.

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