CameraWorth.com

Berning Robot I

The Berning Robot I is a compact 35mm camera produced by Otto Berning & Co. in Germany from the mid-1930s, recording square 24x24mm frames on 35mm film loaded into proprietary Robot cassettes. It used a spring-wound motor drive to advance the film automatically after each exposure, which positioned it as a specialist tool for rapid sequential shooting when new.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Robot I have settled in a modest £50–£210 band across the records on file, with 2024–2025 saleroom results clustering around £50–£100 and a working median near £100. Earlier hammer prices from the late 1990s and 2000s reached higher, up to £207, so today the camera is worth noticeably less than it once sold for, and condition of the spring motor and shutter strongly drives what any given example sells for.

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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: September 2025

Date Price Source
Sep 2025 £50 Special Auction Services
Jul 2024 £88 Flints Auctions
Apr 2024 £100 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £100 Special Auction Services
Apr 2018 £120 Flints Auctions
May 2005 EUR 190 Leitz Auction
Jan 1999 £207 Christie's
Jan 1998 £138 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Berning Robot I worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Berning Robot I is typically worth around £50–£100 in 2026, with exceptional examples having sold for up to roughly £210 historically.

How much does a Berning Robot I sell for at auction?

Recent UK saleroom hammer prices sit between £50 and £100, and the overall price range across the records on file is £50–£210.

Why does the Robot I use square 24x24mm frames?

The square format let the spring motor advance film without the camera needing to be reoriented, which supported the rapid sequential shooting the Robot line was designed for.

Does the Robot I take standard 35mm cassettes?

No — it requires proprietary Robot cassettes, which is a practical point to check before buying, as it affects how usable the camera is today.

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