Berning Robot II
The Berning Robot II is a German-made spring-wound 35mm camera producing square frames on standard 35mm film, introduced in the late 1930s by Otto Berning & Co. of Düsseldorf. Its clockwork motor drive allowed rapid sequential exposures without manual film advance, positioning it as a specialist tool for reportage and technical photography rather than a general-purpose rangefinder.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Robot II have ranged from around £40 to £400, with a median close to £80, reflecting the wide spread between rough user bodies and cleaner, fully-functional examples with original accessories. Values today are highly condition-sensitive: in 2026 a working spring motor and clean finder are worth far more than the camera sells for when the clockwork is seized or the shutter is sluggish. Examples with military or wartime provenance have pushed towards the upper end of that range in the saleroom.
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: January 2026
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| Jan 2026 | £75 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 85) Title: A Berning Robot II Clockwork Camera
Description:
chrome, body VG, motor winds and fires the shutter, with s Schneider Xenar f/2.8 37.5mm lens, optics G-VG, with hood. |
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| Aug 2024 | £60 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 92) Title: A Robot II Camera
Description:
A Robot II Camera, serial no B 84716,spring drive not working, shutter not closing when shutter button held on low speeds, body G, with Carl Zeiss |
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| Aug 2024 | £40 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 605) Title: A Robot II Camera
Description:
A Robot II Camera, serial no B 56864-6, shutter sticking in slow speeds, spring drive working, body G, some paint wear to edges, with Carl Zeiss 3¾cm |
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| Apr 2024 | £230 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 130) Title: A Robot II Camera
Description:
A Robot II Camera, serial no B 96271, spring drive working, shutter working, body G, missing outer film door catch, with Schneider Kreznack 75mm |
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| Aug 2023 | £81 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 109) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Clockwork Camera
Description:
chrome, body G, motor winds & shoots, shutter fails to fully close during wind-on, marked 'Luftwaffen-Eigentum' to top plate, camera has remennants (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2023 | £75 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 110) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Clockwork Camera
Description:
chome, serial no. B 95554, body G-VG, motor winds & shoots, together with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar f/2.8 37.5mm lens, bod G-VG, optics G, some (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2023 | £106 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 140) Title: A Berning Robot II Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. C116976, with Schneider Xenon f/1.9 40mm lens, chrome, serial no. 3245126, body, G, shutter working but sticking towards end of |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41153) Title: Robot II chrome + Xenar 2.8/37.8mm
Description:
probably unique early Schneider Xenar 2.8/37.8mm (instead of 37.5mm) no.1909266 (1947), with good uncoated lenses only showing some light cleaning marks, here presented on a very interesting Robot II chrome 1st model without a serial number, in good condition and working order Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Jan 2023 | £125 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 156) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. B84399, with Schneider Xenon f/1.9 40mm lens, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some very light cleaning marks, with maker's |
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| Oct 2022 | £106 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 237) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Camera and Camera Gun Bracket
Description:
chrome, 1939-51, serial no. B80877, with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar f/2.8 37.5mm lens, chrome, serial no. 1908513, body F-G, shutter and motor |
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| Aug 2022 | £100 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 426) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Camera
Description:
chrome, shutter working, with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon f/1.9 40mm lens, optics G, some cleaning marks & haze present Note: Lot imported under (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2022 | £250 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 87) Title: A Berning Robot II Camera
Description:
1939-51, black, serial no. B52383-5, with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 3¾" lens, chrome, serial no. 2443995, body, G, shutter and motor working, lens, |
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| Dec 2021 | £87 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 496) Title: A Berning Robot II 35mm Camera
Description:
chrome, shutter working, with a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 40mm f/2 lens, optics P-F, cleaning marks, haze, and fungus present, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jan 1998 | £69 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 268) Title: Robot II no. B33578
Description:
Robot II no. B33578 Estimate: £20 - £150 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Berning Robot II worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices sit between roughly £40 and £400, with most working examples selling for under £150 and exceptional outfits reaching the upper end of the range.
How much does a Robot II sell for in clean, working condition?
A clean Robot II with a functioning spring motor and accurate shutter typically sells for £120–£250 at auction, with premiums for complete outfits including the original lens and cassettes.
Why does the price vary so much?
The Robot II's value depends heavily on the condition of the clockwork drive and shutter; seized or non-running bodies trade as spares near £40–£80, while serviced examples command several times that.
Is the Berning Robot II a good user camera?
It can be, but the square format, specialist film loading and ageing spring mechanism make it more appealing to collectors than to everyday shooters.