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Lizars Challenge

The Lizars Challenge is a British-made plate camera sold by the Glasgow optician and photographic retailer J. Lizars. It dates from the late-Victorian and early-twentieth-century era when Lizars assembled and badged field and hand cameras for the UK market.

At UK auction today, hammer prices for the Lizars Challenge have ranged from about £57 to £650, with recent saleroom activity sitting closer to the lower end — a 2025 result fetched £200 at hammer. The spread reflects how much condition, completeness of plate holders and bellows integrity influence what this camera is worth, and outlier prices tend to reward examples with original fittings intact.

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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: October 2025

Date Price Source
Oct 2025 £200 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £81 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £19 Flints Auctions
Jan 2025 £112 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £50 Special Auction Services
Apr 2021 £347 Flints Auctions
Apr 2019 £288 Flints Auctions
Nov 2006 EUR 200 Leitz Auction
Dec 2002 £646 Christie's
May 2002 £329 Christie's
Aug 2000 £82 Christie's
Mar 1998 £109 Christie's
Mar 1998 £97 Christie's
Jan 1998 £57 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Lizars Challenge worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results sit in the region of £57 to £650, with a typical price around £150–£200 for a complete but used example.

How much does a Lizars Challenge sell for at auction?

The most recent recorded sale was £200 in October 2025, while an exceptional example sold for £646 at Christie's in 2002.

What affects the value of a Lizars Challenge?

Condition of the bellows, presence of original plate holders, working shutter and an intact Lizars retailer plate are the main factors that push the price toward the upper end of the range.

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