Pignons Alpa 9d Half-Frame (halbformat)
The Alpa 9d Half-Frame is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Pignons of Ballaigues, Switzerland, configured to expose half-frame (18×24mm) images on standard 35mm film. It belongs to the late Alpa reflex lineage and was a low-volume, high-cost specialist tool aimed at professional and scientific users when new.
Auction data for this variant is extremely thin: a single UK hammer result of £4,000 from March 2014 is the only datapoint available, so any sense of what the camera is worth today rests on that one sale. At saleroom level the half-frame configuration is a rarity premium over standard Alpa 9d bodies, and in 2026 collectors should expect strong condition-sensitivity and wide bid spreads when an example sells for anything at all.
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: March 2014
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2014 | EUR 4,000 | Leitz Auction | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 25 (Lot AI_25_30285) Title: Alpa Mod. 9d Half-frame
Description:
Chrome 9d (DAMAC-Siframe / 17 x 22.5mm) in mint condition with Macro-Switar 1.8/50mm no.1063209 (cap, hood, perfect lenses), instructions, display box, maker's box with matching numbers - according to Lothar Thewes 'Alpa' only seven 9d cameras were produced for format 17 x 22.5mm ! Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 3,500 |
|||
|
Loading...
|
|||
Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 9d Half-Frame worth today?
The only recorded UK auction hammer price is £4,000 from 2014; with just one datapoint a current market value cannot be reliably established, and a fresh sale could land materially above or below that figure depending on condition.
How much does an Alpa 9d Half-Frame sell for at auction?
Documented sales are limited to a single £4,000 hammer result, which sits well above typical standard Alpa 9d prices and reflects the rarity of the halbformat variant.
Is the half-frame version rarer than the standard Alpa 9d?
Yes — the half-frame (halbformat) configuration was produced in very small numbers and appears in auction records far less frequently than the standard full-frame 9d.