Pignons Alpa 12 SWA
The Alpa 12 SWA is a medium-format technical camera made by the Swiss manufacturer Pignons as part of the Alpa 12 system. It is a wide-angle variant designed to accept roll-film or digital backs and is positioned at the high-precision, low-volume end of the medium-format market.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Alpa 12 SWA have ranged from roughly £5,000 to £12,000, with only two recorded saleroom results giving a midpoint near £8,500. As of today in 2026 the model remains thinly traded at saleroom level, so what a 12 SWA sells for is highly condition- and configuration-dependent, and the value of any individual example reflects the back, viewfinder and lens fitted at the time of sale.
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: June 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2025 | EUR 10,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01706) Title: Alpa 12 SWA Anniversary Edition Set
Description:
Beautiful special outfit celebrating 70 years of the brand and 20 years of Alpa 12 medium format system, limited to 20 numbered pieces, in unused condition, complete set including S/WA body no.0081347 with body cap, HR Alpagon 5.6/70mm MKII no.12326168 mounted in Copal no.0 shutter with front lens cap and rubber hood, all caps with special engravings, tripod adapter, viewfinder with Voigtländer VC Meter II, 6x7 rollfilm magazine no.B871396 with special 20/70 years plate and slider, focusing screen, tool set, multi-rollfilms container, cleaning cloth with special printings, shutter release cable, strap, outfit bag and special hard case. Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 24,000 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 12,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37903) Title: Alpa 12 S/WA + Biogon 4.5/38mm
Description:
the most desirable modern-age super wide-angle camera, in near-mint condition, with sought-after second type T* Biogon 4.5/38mm no.8899716 (near mint, clean optics), with matching viewfinder, short metal hood Estimate: EUR 24,000 - EUR 26,000 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_29244) Title: Alpa 12 S/WA
Description:
in mint condition with finder, Super-Symmar 4.5/80mm XL Aspheric no.14773579 with clean lenses in perfect working Copal-No.0 shutter (cap), Arca Swiss 6x9 roll film back Estimate: EUR 7,000 - EUR 8,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 12 SWA worth at UK auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices sit in a £5,000–£12,000 range, so a clean, well-equipped example typically sells for a five-figure sum depending on the lens and back included.
How much does an Alpa 12 SWA sell for compared with other Alpa 12 bodies?
The SWA sits at the wide-angle end of the Alpa 12 line and commands a price in line with other 12-series bodies of comparable condition, with the fitted lens being the largest single driver of value.
Why does the price of an Alpa 12 SWA vary so much?
Sales are infrequent and each camera is sold as a kit, so the value is dominated by which lens, viewfinder and back are included and by the cosmetic and mechanical condition of the body.