Pignons Alpa 11el Half-Frame (halbformat)
The Alpa 11el Half-Frame (halbformat) is a 35mm SLR configured for the half-frame format, producing roughly 18×24mm exposures on standard 35mm film. It belongs to the Alpa line built by Pignons in Switzerland, a low-volume Swiss SLR maker whose cameras were positioned at the premium end of the precision-instrument market.
Auction data for this specific half-frame Alpa is very thin: the only recorded UK auction hammer result we have is £2,000 from May 2009, a wholesale saleroom figure that excludes commission. With just one data point, a meaningful price range or median cannot be quoted, and what an Alpa 11el half-frame sells for today depends heavily on condition, completeness and bidder competition on the day. Buyers researching what one of these is worth in 2026 should treat that single historical hammer as a directional reference rather than a current market value.
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 2009
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2009 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18998) Title: Alpa 11el chrom Half Frame
Description:
very rare body (total production 33 units only) in good working condition (meter not working), for 17x22.5mm exposures, matching Schneider Alpa-Curtagon 2.8/35mm no.11604636 Estimate: EUR 3,500 - EUR 4,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 11el Half-Frame worth today?
With only one recorded UK auction hammer result (£2,000 in 2009), there is not enough data to give a reliable current value; condition, completeness and buyer interest on the day will drive the price.
How much does an Alpa 11el Half-Frame sell for at auction?
The single hammer price we have on record is £2,000 at UK auction, which is a wholesale saleroom figure excluding commission rather than a retail asking price.
Why is the price of this Alpa so variable?
Half-frame Alpas were produced by Pignons in very small numbers, so each appearance at auction is effectively a one-off event and the result depends on which collectors are bidding.
Is the Alpa 11el Half-Frame a good collector camera?
It is a scarce Swiss-made half-frame SLR with limited surviving examples, which gives it collector appeal, but the thin sales record means value is harder to benchmark than for mainstream Alpa reflex models.