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Berning Robot IIa

The Berning Robot IIa is a spring-motor-driven 35mm camera produced in West Germany in the early 1950s, exposing square 24×24mm frames on standard 35mm film. It was part of Otto Berning & Co.'s Robot series, positioned as a compact rapid-sequence camera aimed at press, surveillance and specialist users who valued the motor-wound film advance.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Robot IIa have ranged from about £30 to £240, with a median near £90 for typical examples sold between 2023 and today. Condition drives the spread sharply at saleroom level: tired bodies with sluggish spring motors tend to sell for under £80, while clean, working examples with their correct Schneider or Zeiss taking lens push toward the upper end of the range.

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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: May 2025

Date Price Source
May 2025 £40 Special Auction Services
Apr 2025 £88 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £80 Special Auction Services
Jun 2024 £110 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £240 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £150 Special Auction Services
Apr 2023 £30 Special Auction Services
Nov 2018 £108 Flints Auctions
May 1999 £115 Christie's
Jan 1999 £138 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Berning Robot IIa worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results place the Robot IIa between roughly £30 and £240, with a typical working example selling for around £80 to £110.

How much does a Robot IIa sell for in clean condition?

Clean, fully functional bodies with a correct period lens have reached about £150 to £240 at auction, while cosmetically rough or non-running examples tend to change hands nearer £30 to £50.

What affects the price and value of a Robot IIa most?

The spring-motor condition and the presence of a matching working lens are the biggest factors; a serviced, smoothly running camera commands a clear premium over otherwise similar bodies with sticky mechanisms.

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