You might think that, in a world now dominated by digital cameras, the market for vintage film cameras would be steadily and inexorably shrinking.

But an original Nikon camera which was the forerunner of the modern single-lens reflex models is proving that there are still lots of aspiring collectors out there.

The camera is described as in working, original condition, and the owner of the specialist store selling it, which is based in Nuremburg, Germany, is sufficiently confident in its condition to offer a one-year guarantee.

Being offered with a 'Buy It Now' price of $31,250 (£19,750), at the time of writing one offer at below this level had been received. There is currently no closing time listed for the item's auction.

The mini marvel, though, is likely to fetch a sum a long way short of the most expensive piece of camera kit ever sold, which, according to photographic enthusiasts' website Popphoto.com was a long-range, professional-quality telephoto lens – which was created as a one-off for a Qatari Sheikh – which sold for the equivalent of $2.06million (£1.3million).

The lens can't have seen much use, as it weighs 60kg (132lbs 4oz), and its original owner had it carried around in a specially-commissioned Mercedes four-wheel drive vehicle