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Ilford Witness

The Ilford Witness is a British 35mm rangefinder camera produced in the early 1950s in very small numbers, with surviving examples generally fitted with a Dallmeyer Super-Six f/1.9 lens. It was positioned as a high-end domestic alternative to contemporary Leica and Contax rangefinders, and its scarcity is the dominant factor in what a Witness is worth today.

At UK auction in 2026, hammer prices for the Ilford Witness typically sit in the £2,600–£10,000 band, with a recent median around £7,000 — these are saleroom wholesale results before commission, not dealer retail. The full ten-year range stretches from roughly £1,700 for incomplete or compromised examples to £17,000 for an exceptional cased outfit, so condition, completeness and lens quality drive a wide spread. A clean, working body with the original Dallmeyer lens regularly sells for £6,000–£10,000, while rough or stripped examples can sell for under £3,000.

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Sales History

Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.

Prices updated: November 2025

Date Price Value GBP Source
Nov 2025 £5,000 £5,000 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Apr 2025 £8,500 £6,800 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2024 EUR 10,000 £8,338 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2024 £32,500 £26,000 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £7,500 £7,500 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Nov 2023 £7,500 £6,000 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £7,500 £6,000 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2023 EUR 9,000 £7,727 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2023 £4,375 £3,500 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2022 EUR 6,500 £5,648 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2022 £6,000 £4,800 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2022 £7,750 £6,200 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Mar 2022 £2,625 £2,100 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2019 £9,000 £7,500 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £12,000 £10,000 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 17,000 £14,772 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 2,600 £2,259 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 11,000 £9,149 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 12,000 £10,190 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 12,000 £9,647 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 2,400 £2,036 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2006 EUR 5,500 £3,758 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
May 2004 EUR 3,500 £2,351 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Dec 2002 £4,935 £4,200 🇬🇧 Christie's
Sep 2002 £3,290 £2,800 🇬🇧 Christie's
Jun 2002 £1,880 £1,600 🇬🇧 Christie's
Jun 2001 £2,350 £2,000 🇬🇧 Christie's
Jun 2000 £2,115 £1,800 🇬🇧 Christie's
Nov 1998 £1,725 £1,500 🇬🇧 Christie's
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Frequently asked questions

What is an Ilford Witness worth in 2026?

Most Ilford Witness cameras sell for £2,600 to £10,000 at UK auction, with a clean, complete outfit with the Dallmeyer lens typically achieving £6,000–£8,000 hammer.

Why does the Ilford Witness price vary so much?

Production was extremely limited, so condition, working order and the presence of the original Dallmeyer Super-Six lens swing the value dramatically — exceptional examples have reached £17,000 while rough bodies have sold for under £2,000.

How much does an Ilford Witness sell for without its original lens?

Body-only or mismatched examples generally sell for £2,000–£4,000 at auction, well below the £6,000-plus typical of complete outfits with the correct Dallmeyer Super-Six.

Is the Ilford Witness a good user camera?

It is primarily a collector's piece — the unique bayonet mount and absence of service support mean most buyers value it for rarity rather than as a working 35mm rangefinder.

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