Siemens & Halske C
The Siemens & Halske C is a cine camera produced by the German electrical and engineering firm Siemens & Halske, which manufactured 16mm amateur motion-picture equipment from the 1930s onward. It sits within the pre-war to mid-century amateur cine category rather than the stills market, and today it is collected primarily as a historical apparatus.
UK auction hammer results for the Siemens & Halske C are thin, with only two recorded sales: £446 at Christie's in 2000 and £800 in a 2014 Leitz Photographica Auction, giving a range of roughly £450–£800. As of 2026, values at saleroom level hinge heavily on cosmetic condition, mechanical function and completeness of accessories, and with so few data points any estimate of what the camera is worth today carries meaningful uncertainty. Expect the price a clean, working example sells for to sit within that historical range rather than below it.
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.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30400) Title: Siemens C
Description:
16mm spring motor camera in near mint condition with Meyer Simax 1.5/20mm no.758515, attached E.Leitz FOKIN rangefinder with special bracket ('Germany' engraved), two unused films, instructions, all in fitted outfit case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| May 2000 | £446 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 150) Title: Siemans ciné camera
Description:
Siemans ciné camera Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Siemens & Halske C worth at UK auction?
The two recorded UK hammer results are £446 (2000) and £800 (2014), so recent comparable value sits in the £450–£800 range, subject to condition.
How much does a Siemens & Halske C sell for today?
With only two verified auction sales on file, a working, cosmetically clean example would most plausibly sell for a price within the historical £450–£800 hammer band, though thin data means the figure is indicative rather than firm.
Why does the price vary so much?
Cine cameras of this era are highly condition-sensitive: a seized mechanism, missing lens or incomplete accessory kit can pull value well below a clean, fully functional example.