De Vere Monorail Camera
The De Vere Monorail is a large-format view camera built around a rail-based architecture, with the front and rear standards sliding along a single rail to allow bellows movements for focus, perspective and plane-of-focus control. De Vere was a British manufacturer better known for its darkroom enlargers, and its monorail cameras were aimed at studio and technical photographers working on sheet film.
At recent UK auction, the De Vere Monorail Camera has sold in the £50 to £120 range at hammer, with a median around £105 across the last few years. Prices in 2025 have clustered between £50 and £120 depending on completeness, and today the model sits firmly in the budget tier of the large-format market — condition, bellows integrity and whether a lens board or ground glass is present drive most of the value spread.
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.
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| Oct 2025 | £50 | Chiswick Auctions | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 314) Title: De Vere 5" x 4" Monorail Camera.
Description:
5x4 monorail camera with recessed lens board (no lens). Rear ground glass cracked, otherwise signs of normal+ use. With bellows lens hood. |
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| Jul 2025 | £120 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 253) Title: A De-Vere 5 x 4 Monorail Camera
Description:
A De-Vere 5 x 4 Monorail Camera, serial no F5/6971, all moves freely, with Schneider Kreuznach 210mm f/4.5 Xenar lens, in F Deckel Compound shutter, |
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| May 2025 | £100 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 64) Title: A De Vere 5 x 4 Monorail Camera
Description:
A De Vere 5 x 4 Monorail Camera, all moves freely, body G, some pitting to chrome on focus knobs, bellows G, with Schneider Kreuznach 150mm f/4.5 |
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| Feb 2025 | £69 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 170) Title: A De Vere Monorail Camera
Description:
serial number 51196, to include a rear standard with focusing screen, front standard, with bellows attached, spare bellows, rail, bench mount, lens |
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| Jun 2022 | £106 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 523) Title: A De Vere 5x4" Large Format Mono-Rail Camera
Description:
complete with gound glass screen, lacking lens |
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| Oct 2017 | £192 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 101) Title: A De Vere 5x4" Monorail Camera
Description:
1948-1952, serial no. 51191, with Rodenstock Sironar-N f/5.6 150mm lens, serial no. 9668104, in Copal No.0 shutter, body, G, lens, G-VG, shutter |
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| Nov 1999 | £57 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 475) Title: Monorail camera
Description:
Monorail camera Estimate: £25 - £100 |
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| Jan 1998 | £437 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 444) Title: De Vere monorail camera
Description:
De Vere monorail camera Estimate: £200 - £400 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a De Vere Monorail Camera worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £50 and £120, with a typical value around £100 for a usable example including a lens board and ground glass.
How much does a De Vere Monorail sell for at auction?
Most examples sell for £50 to £120 at hammer in the current market, though a well-equipped outfit with accessories has previously reached close to £200.
Is the De Vere Monorail a good buy at this price?
At current prices it is one of the cheaper routes into large-format shooting, but the value depends heavily on bellows condition and whether compatible lens boards and film holders are included.