Dallmeyer (J.H.) Cine · 304.8mm f/4.5

{"overview":"The Dallmeyer 12 Inch f\/4.5 Cine is a long-focus prime lens made by the British optical maker J.H. Dallmeyer of London, intended for professional cine and projection work. With a 12-inch (roughly 305mm) focal length and an f\/4.5 maximum aperture, it sits in the telephoto range used for distant subjects and tight framing on motion-picture cameras of the early to mid-twentieth century.","market_narrative":"At recent UK auction, hammer prices for this lens have been modest, with two recorded sales in 2025 at £38 and £100 — a median around £69. As of today the value of a Dallmeyer 12 Inch f\/4.5 Cine at saleroom level remains low, reflecting the niche cine-collector audience and the fact that these wholesale results exclude buyer's and seller's commission; clean, mounted examples in usable condition tend to sell for the upper end of that range while project-grade barrels make up the lower end.","buying_guide":"Inspect the glass carefully for fungus, internal haze, cleaning marks and edge separation, all of which are common in pre-war British brass-and-aluminium cine optics. Check that the iris blades move smoothly and are free of oil, that focus and aperture rings are not stiff or seized, and confirm the lens carries a usable mount or flange — adapting an orphan barrel for modern use can cost more than the lens itself.","specs":"Key specifications from the available data: 12-inch focal length, f\/4.5 maximum aperture, badged as a Cine lens by J.H. Dallmeyer.","faq":[{"q":"What is a Dallmeyer 12 Inch f\/4.5 Cine lens worth today?","a":"Recorded UK auction hammer prices in 2025 sit between £38 and £100, so most examples are worth a low double-digit to low three-figure sum depending on glass and mechanical condition."},{"q":"How much does a Dallmeyer 12 Inch f\/4.5 Cine sell for at auction?","a":"The two most recent UK saleroom results were £38 and £100, giving an indicative price range for typical copies offered without rare accessories."},{"q":"Is the Dallmeyer 12 Inch f\/4.5 Cine a good user lens?","a":"It can be, but it was built for cine cameras of its era, so practical use on modern bodies depends on finding or fabricating a suitable adapter and on the optics being free of haze, fungus and separation."}],"confidence":35,"reasoning":"Only two unverified sales records and no SPECS, variants or facts provided, so confidence is capped low per rule 8."}