Multiscope & Film Co. Al-Vista 5B
The Al-Vista 5B is an early panoramic roll-film camera produced by the Multiscope & Film Co. It used a swinging lens design to capture wide-format images on roll film, a body type that places it among the turn-of-the-twentieth-century panoramic cameras aimed at landscape and group photography.
UK auction data for the Al-Vista 5B is extremely thin, with a single recorded hammer result at saleroom level of £184 in 1998. With only one verified sale on file there is no meaningful range or median to quote in 2026, so what the camera is worth today depends heavily on condition, completeness and whether the swinging-lens mechanism still functions when it next sells for a price at auction.
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 | |
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| May 2004 | EUR 344 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 5 (Lot AI_5_23310) Title: Multiscope & Film Co. Al-Vista 5B
Description:
panoramic camera for rollfilm, leather covered wood body, with swinging brass lens, (lacking film wind key) Estimate: EUR 1,900 - EUR 8 |
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| May 1998 | £184 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 487) Title: Al-Vista 5B panoramic camera
Description:
Al-Vista 5B panoramic camera Estimate: £150 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Al-Vista 5B worth today?
On the limited evidence available, one UK auction hammer result of £184 has been recorded, so any current value estimate carries significant uncertainty and depends on condition.
How much does an Al-Vista 5B sell for at auction?
The only verified UK saleroom price in our records is £184, achieved in 1998; more recent comparable sales would be needed to establish a reliable current price.
What affects the value and price of an Al-Vista 5B?
Working condition of the swinging lens mechanism, the state of the wooden body and covering, and overall completeness are the main factors that influence what one of these cameras is worth.