Pignons Alpa 6c
The Alpa 6c is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera made by Pignons S.A. of Ballaigues, Switzerland. It was produced during the 1960s as part of the Swiss-built Alpa SLR line, positioned as a precision-engineered alternative to mainstream Japanese and German SLRs of the period.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Alpa 6c have ranged from around £260 to £1,900, with mid-range results clustered near £480 to £1,400 depending on cosmetic condition and whether the camera is offered with a lens. The 2024 sale at £262 shows what a tired body without glass is worth today, while cleaner, working examples have sold for well over £1,000 at saleroom level. Because these are wholesale hammer figures rather than retail prices, dealer asking prices for comparable examples are typically higher.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 1 | £400 – £400 |
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: April 2026
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | £362 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 240) Title: A Pignons Alpa 6c Dummy Camera Body
Description:
1960-69, chrome, serial no. 29600, body, VG Notes: Non-working dummy model for display, with no internals Provenance: Following the closure of the |
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| Nov 2024 | £262 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 224) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod.6c Reflex SLR Camera
Description:
1960-69, chrome, serial no. 42978, with Schneider Alpa-Curtagon f/2.8 35mm lens, black, serial no. 9990121, body, F-G, shutter working, some debris |
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| Nov 2022 | USD 400 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | black | |
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Auction: November 2022 Results (Lot 61) Title: Alpa Reflex Model 6c in black finish
Description:
Alpa Reflex Model 6c in black finish |
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| Oct 2022 | £475 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 249) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod. 6c SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
chrome, serial no. 43685, body G-VG, shutter working, meter does not respond to light, together with an Alpa Kilfitt Makro Kilar E f/3.5 40mm lens, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jun 2022 | £750 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 93) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod. 6c SLR Camera
Description:
1960-69, chrome, serial no. 46415, with Kern-Switar f/1.8 50mm AR lens, chrome, serial no. 1054697, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, one small |
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| Apr 2021 | £1,364 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science (Lot 208) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod. 6c SLR Camera
Description:
1960-69, black, serial no. 47506, with Kern-Macro-Switar AR f/1.8 50mm lens, black, serial no. 1020629, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G, some |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 950 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38547) Title: Alpa 6c dummy
Description:
a very rare, original Alpa presentation camera, with matching dummy Macro-Switar AR 1.8/50mm no.000000, in beautiful condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Oct 2019 | £1,200 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 288) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod.6c SLR Camera
Description:
1960-69, chrome, serial no. 52455, with Kern-Macro-Switar AR f/1.8 50mm lens, black, serial no. 1085672, body, G, shutter working, lens, VG-E, some |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37073) Title: Alpa 6c + Macro-Switar
Description:
6c body from a first production batch, in beautiful condition, with sought-after Kern-Macro-Switar 1.8/50mm no.812464 (very good optics, only few hairline marks), lens cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Apr 2019 | £1,920 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 268) Title: A Pignons Alpa Mod. 6c SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
1960-69, black, serial no. 47511, with Kern-Macro-Switar AR f/1.8 50mm lens, black, serial no. 1020674, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, VG, some |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 1,100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13191) Title: Alpa Mod.6c black paint
Description:
rare Alpa body in original and fully working condition, matching Kern Macro Switar 1.8/50mm no.971270 (clean lenses, cap), red maker's box, papers, guarantee card Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 480 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17447) Title: Alpa Reflex Mod.6c outfit
Description:
chrome body in good condition (meter not working), very fine Kern-Macro-Switar 1.8/50mm no.971705, Alpa-Tele-Xenar 5.5/360mm no.5036396 Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Sep 1998 | £437 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 169) Title: Alpa 6c no. 46923
Description:
Alpa 6c no. 46923 Estimate: £20 - £300 |
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| Jan 1998 | £368 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 292) Title: Alpa Reflex model 6c no. 44798
Description:
Alpa Reflex model 6c no. 44798 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Alpa 6c worth today?
In 2026, an Alpa 6c is worth roughly £260 to £1,900 at UK auction, with the spread driven largely by cosmetic and mechanical condition and whether a lens is included.
How much does an Alpa 6c sell for at auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices range from £262 for a body-only example in 2024 up to £1,920 for a strong example in 2019, so a clean working camera typically sells for a four-figure sum.
Why is the price range for the Alpa 6c so wide?
The value is highly condition-sensitive because service specialists are scarce, and the presence or absence of a matching Alpa-mount lens can shift the price by several hundred pounds.