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Used Ilford Sportsman

1957

£10.00 Low price

£131.00 High price

14 Listings

1 Retailers

1 New this week

3 Reduced

Great for: general street documentary

Ilford's Dacora-built 35mm viewfinder camera — 1957, Dignar 45mm f/3.5, Vario shutter, all mechanical

The Ilford Sportsman was a range of 35mm viewfinder cameras sold by the British film maker Ilford from 1957, built in Germany by Dacora as rebadged versions of the Dacora Dignette. Ilford pitched the line as an affordable alternative to Kodak's Retinette for the newly popular 35mm format, and the family later grew to include metered and rangefinder variants such as the Sportsman Auto and 300L.

The original model carries a Dacora Dignar 45mm f/3.5 lens stopping down to f/16, in a Vario three-speed leaf shutter offering 1/25, 1/50 and 1/200 second plus B, with X flash synchronisation. Focusing is by scale through a direct-vision viewfinder, exposure is entirely manual and unmetered, and no battery is required. Later versions of the Sportsman substituted faster Prontor shutters and other lens options, so specifications vary across the range.

It suits collectors of British-badged photographica and film shooters wanting a simple, mechanical 1950s camera for relaxed daylight use. The three-speed shutter and scale focus impose a deliberate pace, and the Dignar is a modest performer, but the camera is light, neat and a common, inexpensive entry into 1950s 35mm photography.

Survivors are plentiful, so choose on condition: cycle the Vario shutter at all speeds since slow-speed drag is common, and check the aperture blades move cleanly. Confirm which variant is on offer, as Sportsman badging covers many different Dacora bodies of differing value. Inspect the viewfinder for haze, the film advance and frame counter for correct operation, and the body covering for lifting, typical of unserviced examples.

Avg £25, down 11.5% over 2 weeks

Price history ↓

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1960's Ilford Sportsman Made in Western Germany Camera - (5241) eBay

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Vintage Ilford Sportsman Camera with original case eBay

£13.81 £15.95

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Vintage Ilford Sportsman Camera Prontor 125 Lens 45mm Film West Germany Prop Vtg eBay

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Vintage Ilford Sportsman Camera Prontor 125 Lens 45mm Film West Germany Prop Vtg eBay

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Vintage ILFORD SPORTSMAN 35mm Camera Dacora Kamerawerk Reutlingen 2.8/45 Lens eBay

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Ilford Sportsman Auto 35mm Film Camera Steinheil Cassar f/2.8 45mm Lens - 1960 eBay

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Ilford Sportsman Auto RF 35mm Camera, MADE IN W GERMANY eBay

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Ilford Sportsman 35mm Film Camera – Dacora 45mm f/2.8 Lens – Vario Shutter eBay

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Ilford Sportsman 35mm Film Camera 1950's - Silver - 45mm f3.5 Lens - Tested eBay

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Ilford Sportsman AUTO RF 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera Steinheil Cassar 1:2.8/45 eBay

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Ilford Sportsman 35mm Film Camera Dacora Dignar 45mm Lens, Meter & Case Kit eBay

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Ilford Sportsman with 45mm Lens - Vintage Film Camera eBay

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Vintage Retro Ilford Sportsman 1959 35mm Film Camera UNTESTED eBay

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Vintage Ilford Sportsman Vario 35mm Camera with Case + Dacora 45mm f3.5 Lens Kit eBay

Used Ilford Sportsman price history

Tracking the used Ilford Sportsman price? Over the past two weeks, the average has fallen 11.5%, from £28 to around £25. Depending on shutter count and condition, expect to pay between £18 and £46 for a used body.

Average market price (line) and typical price range (shaded). Source: UsedLens daily price index, 18 Jul – 4 Aug 2026.