Pignons Alpa 5a
The Alpa 5a is a 35mm SLR made by Pignons of Ballaigues, Switzerland. It belongs to the family of Alpa Reflex cameras produced in the post-war era and was sold as a precision-built, hand-assembled instrument aimed at advanced users rather than the mass market.
Auction data for the Alpa 5a is thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result from September 2025 saw an example sell for £175, which gives a current reference point but not a reliable range. Because this figure is a wholesale auction hammer price rather than a retail asking price, dealer-listed examples in 2026 typically sell for considerably more, and condition, completeness and presence of an original lens have an outsized effect on what an Alpa 5a is worth today.
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: September 2025
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Sep 2025 | £175 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 191) Title: An Alpa 5a 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 34158, body F-G, shutter not working, curtains visibly torn, mirror stuck up, viewfinder clear, with an Old Delft f/4.5 180mm |
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| Jun 2022 | £725 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 91) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod 5a SLR Camera
Description:
1955-56, silver, serial no. 31960, with Old Delft Alfinon f/2.8 50mm lens, chrome, serial no. 152573, body, G, shutter working, lens, F-G, some |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36665) Title: Alpa Mod. 5a
Description:
very rare Alpa body in excellent condition and working order, with matching Schneider Alpa-Xenon 1.9/50mm no.4232600 (cond. B+, good optics, only slightly hazy), leather case, only 134 examples of this rare camera have been made after the introduction of the Alpa 6 Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 5a worth today?
On the limited evidence available, a usable Alpa 5a body sold for £175 at UK auction in late 2025; cleaner, lens-equipped examples can sell for more, but published hammer data is sparse.
How much does an Alpa 5a sell for at auction?
Only one recent UK hammer price is on record, at £175, so any quoted price or value range for the Alpa 5a should be treated as indicative rather than a firm market median.
Why does the Alpa 5a price vary so much between sales?
Alpa Reflex cameras were hand-built in small numbers, so condition, mechanical health and whether the camera is offered with an original Alpa-mount lens drive most of the variation in what a 5a sells for.