CameraWorth.com

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 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.

Prices updated: November 2025

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £5,000 Special Auction Services
Nov 2024 EUR 10,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2024 £32,500 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £7,500 Special Auction Services
Nov 2023 £7,500 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £7,500 Flints Auctions
Jun 2023 EUR 9,000 Leitz Auction
May 2023 £4,375 Flints Auctions
Nov 2022 EUR 6,500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2022 £6,000 Flints Auctions
Apr 2022 £7,750 Flints Auctions
Mar 2022 £2,625 Flints Auctions
Oct 2019 £9,000 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 £12,000 Flints Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 2,600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 17,000 Leitz Auction
Mar 2014 EUR 11,000 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 12,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 12,000 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 2,400 Leitz Auction
May 2006 EUR 5,500 Leitz Auction
May 2004 EUR 3,500 Leitz Auction
Dec 2002 £4,935 Christie's
Sep 2002 £3,290 Christie's
Jun 2002 £1,880 Christie's
Jun 2001 £2,350 Christie's
Jun 2000 £2,115 Christie's
Nov 1998 £1,725 Christie's

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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