Lizars Challenge View Camera
The Lizars Challenge is a wooden field/view camera sold under the Lizars name, the Glasgow optical retailer that distributed plate cameras in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a large-format plate camera intended for landscape and studio use during that era.
Auction evidence for the Challenge View Camera is thin: a single UK saleroom result from January 2022 saw one sell for £174 at hammer (wholesale, before commission). With only one data point, today's price for a comparable example is best anchored to that figure rather than a range, and condition of the bellows, woodwork and any accompanying lens will move what one is worth in either direction.
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: January 2022
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | £174 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 353) Title: A J. Lizars Challenge Mahogany Half Plate Mahogany Camera
Description:
body, P-F, compelte with 11 DDS, in canvas case (a lot) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Lizars Challenge View Camera worth today?
On the single UK auction record available, one sold for £174 at hammer in 2022; a clean, complete example would likely price around that level today, though one data point is a weak guide.
How much does a Lizars Challenge View Camera sell for at auction?
The only verified sale in our history fetched £174 hammer at a UK saleroom, so the realistic price band sits in the low-to-mid hundreds of pounds depending on condition and accessories.
What affects the value of this camera most?
Bellows integrity, the presence of original plate holders, and whether a period brass or early anastigmat lens is included are the main factors that move the price.