Mentor Goltz & Breutmann Mentor Nachtreflex (Night Reflex) (f1.9)
The Mentor Nachtreflex (Night Reflex) is a German-made large-format SLR plate camera produced by Goltz & Breutmann of Dresden, designed for low-light photography with an unusually fast f1.9 lens. It dates to the early twentieth century and was positioned as a specialist tool for available-light and night work when most plate cameras of the era relied on much slower optics.
Auction hammer results for the f1.9 Nachtreflex are scarce, with the two recorded UK saleroom results ranging from £410 to £1,100 and a midpoint around £780. As of today the model trades thinly at auction level, so what a given example is worth and sells for depends heavily on completeness, the condition of the fast lens and shutter, and provenance; those are wholesale hammer levels rather than retail dealer prices.
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: May 2004
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2004 | EUR 1,146 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 5 (Lot AI_5_23309) Title: Mentor Night Reflex 6x9cm
Description:
extremely rare 6x9cm Reflex camera with fast 1.9/13.5cm Prolinear, very nice working condition, clean lens, cap, filmholders and case Estimate: EUR 1,925 - EUR 96 |
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| May 2000 | £411 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 404) Title: Mentor Nachtreflex no. 39693
Description:
Mentor Nachtreflex no. 39693 Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Mentor Nachtreflex (Night Reflex) f1.9 worth today?
Based on the limited UK auction record, hammer prices have fallen between roughly £410 and £1,100, with value driven mainly by condition and the state of the fast lens.
How much does a Mentor Night Reflex sell for at auction?
The two recorded saleroom results show it selling for £411 and £1,146, giving a price band of about £410–£1,100 at hammer.
Why is the f1.9 version notable?
The f1.9 aperture was exceptionally fast for a plate reflex of its period, which is the feature the Nachtreflex (Night Reflex) name refers to.