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Pignons Alpa 5

The Alpa 5 is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by the Swiss manufacturer Pignons SA, introduced in the early 1950s. Alpa bodies were positioned as precision-engineered instruments at the upper end of the market when new, built in relatively small quantities compared with the mainstream German and Japanese SLRs of the period.

Hammer prices for the Pignons Alpa 5 at UK saleroom level have ranged from roughly £240 to £460, with a median close to £410 across the recorded auction results — these are wholesale auction figures, not retail asking prices. Because the documented dataset is small, today's value for any given body depends heavily on cosmetic condition, shutter accuracy, and whether an original Alpa-mount lens is included; clean, working examples tend to sell for the upper end of that range, while bodies with mechanical issues sell for less.

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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: June 2003

Date Price Source
Jun 2003 £235 Christie's
Apr 2003 £411 Christie's
Sep 2001 £681 Christie's
Jul 1999 £402 Christie's
May 1998 £460 Christie's
Jan 1998 £218 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Pignons Alpa 5 worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, an Alpa 5 typically sells for somewhere between £240 and £460, with the median price around £410. Condition and lens completeness drive where within that band a given body lands.

How much does an Alpa 5 sell for at auction?

Recorded hammer prices cluster in the £400–£460 range for presentable examples, with rougher or incomplete bodies trading lower. Remember that these are wholesale auction figures and exclude buyer's premium.

Is the Alpa 5 a collectible camera?

Yes — Alpa cameras were made in small numbers by Pignons SA in Switzerland, which supports collector interest. That scarcity is the main reason values hold up compared with more mass-produced 35mm SLRs of the same era.

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