Sinar P
The Sinar P is a 4x5 large-format monorail view camera from the Swiss manufacturer Sinar, positioned as a studio and architectural tool with full geared movements on both standards. It belongs to Sinar's professional precision system, designed around interchangeable bellows, format conversion kits and the company's modular rail system.
At UK auction today, Sinar P bodies have a wide hammer-price spread, with recorded results running from £210 up to £950 and a median around £700. These are wholesale saleroom results, and the spread reflects how heavily completeness drives value — a bare standard set sells for far less than a well-equipped outfit, so what a Sinar P is worth depends almost entirely on which bellows, rails, format backs and lens boards are included.
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: October 2025
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| Oct 2025 | £212 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 173) Title: A Sinar P Monorail Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 26124, body G, bellows appear G, controls operate well, with focusing screen, in a fitted Sinar case, with several spare |
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| Jan 2025 | £475 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 589) Title: A Sinar P Camera
Description:
silver, body G, appears lightly used, most controls operate correctly, rear standard horizontal adjustment not working, with lens board and Schneider- |
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| Aug 2024 | £945 | Chiswick Auctions | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 175) Title: A Sinar P 10 x 8 Large Format Monorail Camera
Description:
A Sinar P 10 x 8 Large Format Monorail Camera Serial No: 60568 Body: VG - bellows beginning to perish Lens: A Rodenstock 360mm f/6.8 Sironar-N MC (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Aug 2024 | £554 | Chiswick Auctions | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 176) Title: A Sinar P 5x4" Monorail Camera Outfit
Description:
A Sinar P 5x4" Monorail Camera Outfit Serial No: 48842 Body: VG Lenses: A Scheider Kreuznach 360mm f/6.8 Symmar - S (14161346) A Schneider-Kreuznach (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Jan 2024 | £850 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 248) Title: A Sinar P Monorail 5x4" Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 38975, complete with Schneider Symmar-S f/5.6 210mm and Schneider Symmar-S f/5.6 150mm lenses, body, VG, lenses, VG, complete with |
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| Jun 2022 | £262 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 531) Title: A Sinar P 5x4" Monorail Large Format Camera
Description:
body G, bellows G, with shutter unit, shutter seems to stick open when fired, together with a Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S f/5.6 150mm lens, optics G, (Qty: 1) |
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| Feb 2004 | £2,151 | Christie's | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MAGIC LANTERNS (Lot 168) Title: Sinar P camera
Description:
Sinar P camera Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Sinar P worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices for the Sinar P range from about £210 to £950, with a median near £700, depending on what accessories and bellows are included.
How much does a Sinar P sell for at UK auction?
Stripped bodies have sold for around £210, while more complete outfits with bellows and standards have reached £850–£950 at the hammer.
Why is there such a wide price range for the Sinar P?
The Sinar P is a modular system, so the value at sale is driven by which rails, bellows, backs and lens boards accompany the camera rather than the standards alone.
What should I check before buying a used Sinar P?
Check the bellows for light leaks, confirm all geared movements operate smoothly, and make sure the ground glass and back are intact and the rail clamps hold firm.